A nurse in a long-term care facility is monitoring clients in the day room. A client who has dementia becomes angry and starts screaming at the nurse. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take first?
Engage the client in a repetitive activity as a distraction.
Place the client in a seclusion room.
Apply wrist restraints to the client.
Administer PRN haloperidol IM to the client
The Correct Answer is A
A. Engage the client in a repetitive activity as a distraction:
This is the correct answer. Redirecting the client's focus to a repetitive and calming activity can help distract them from the source of agitation and potentially de-escalate the situation.
B. Place the client in a seclusion room:
Seclusion should only be used in situations where it is absolutely necessary for the safety of the client or others. Placing a client with dementia in seclusion is not the first choice and should be avoided if possible.
C. Apply wrist restraints to the client:
Restraints should be a last resort and used only when there is an imminent risk of harm to the client or others. Restraints can escalate agitation and should not be the initial response.
D. Administer PRN haloperidol IM to the client:
The use of medication should be considered later in the escalation process and after other non-pharmacological interventions have been attempted. It is not the first intervention, especially when there are non-pharmacological options available.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Fidelity refers to the concept of keeping promises or commitments made to clients. In this scenario, the nurse is demonstrating fidelity by informing the client that they will return as soon as possible with pain medication, indicating a commitment to addressing the client's needs promptly.
B. Justice pertains to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. It is not demonstrated in this scenario where the nurse is making a commitment to address the client's pain.
C. Autonomy involves respecting the client's right to make their own decisions and choices about their care. The nurse, in this case, is not specifically addressing the client's autonomy but rather demonstrating fidelity by committing to providing pain medication.
D. Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm and ensuring the client's safety. While providing pain medication aligns with nonmaleficence by addressing the client's pain, the specific action of informing the client about the intent to return promptly falls more under the principle of fidelity.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A staff member places a midstream urine sample in a specimen refrigerator after collecting it: This action is appropriate as long as the specimen is labeled correctly and stored at the correct temperature. Proper handling of specimens is essential for accurate testing and does not represent an infection control hazard.
B. A staff member wipes a countertop with chlorhexidine solution to clean the area following a blood spill: This action is appropriate for cleaning a contaminated surface. Chlorhexidine is an effective disinfectant for blood spills. Therefore, this action does not represent an infection control hazard.
C. A nurse uses alcohol-based antiseptic to clean his hands after talking with a client who has varicella zoster: While alcohol-based antiseptics are effective for most pathogens, varicella zosteris primarily spread through direct contact and airborne transmission. It is recommended to wash hands with soap and water after caring for a patient with varicella zoster, especially if hands are visibly soiled. This action may not adequately control the infection hazard.
D. A nurse pours sterile 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation solution on an open pressure wound prior to collecting a specimen for culture: This action is appropriate as long as sterile technique is maintained. Using sterile saline for irrigation is standard practice to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens before specimen collection. Therefore, this action does not represent an infection control hazard.
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