A nurse in a mental health clinic is attempting to develop a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which of the following should be the appropriate action by the nurse?

Choice A rationale:

Administering medication to sedate the client is not the appropriate initial action. The client's confusion and restlessness could be due to various factors, and administering sedative medication without identifying the cause of these symptoms could lead to adverse effects or mask underlying issues.

Choice B rationale:

Calling the family to stay with the client might provide emotional support, but it doesn't directly address the client's safety needs. The client's increasing confusion and restlessness require a more immediate intervention to ensure their safety.

Choice C rationale:

Applying wrist and leg restraints should be a last resort and is not the appropriate initial action in this situation. Restraints should only be used if less restrictive interventions have failed and the client's safety is at risk. Restraints can lead to complications such as decreased mobility, skin breakdown, and increased agitation.

Choice D rationale:

Correct Choice Moving the client to a room closer to the nurses' station is the most appropriate action in this scenario. This intervention helps to increase the client's visibility and proximity to nursing staff, making it easier to monitor and address their needs promptly. It also promotes a safer environment while allowing the healthcare team to assess the underlying causes of the restlessness and confusion.

The correct answer is choice B: Is an aversion therapy that produces unpleasant consequences for undesirable behavior.

Choice A rationale:

Decreases or eliminates a behavior by introducing a more adaptive behavior that is incompatible with the unacceptable behavior. Choice A refers to the technique of "differential reinforcement," where an undesirable behavior is replaced by a more appropriate behavior. This technique involves reinforcing positive behaviors while ignoring or providing minimal attention to negative behaviors. It is not the same as covert sensitization.

Choice B rationale:

Is an aversion therapy that produces unpleasant consequences for undesirable behavior. Covert sensitization is a form of aversion therapy used to eliminate unwanted behaviors by associating them with unpleasant imagery or thoughts. It's based on the principle that if a person can associate a negative response with a certain behavior, they will be less likely to engage in that behavior. This technique is used for behaviors like addiction or certain compulsive behaviors.

Choice C rationale:

An aversive stimulus or punishment during which the client is removed from the environment where the unacceptable behavior is being exhibited. Choice C refers to "time-out," a technique used to decrease undesirable behaviors by removing the individual from the environment where the behavior is occurring. This is often used with children and involves giving them a brief break from a situation to help them calm down. It's not the same as covert sensitization.

Choice D rationale:

Relies on an individual's imagination rather than medication for unpleasant symptoms. Choice D is not directly related to covert sensitization. Covert sensitization involves creating a negative association with a behavior using mental imagery. It's not about relying on imagination instead of medication.