A nurse in a mental health facility is interacting with a client who is angry and becoming increasingly aggressive. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Use clarification to determine what the patient is feeling.

Never break constant eye contact with the patient.

Move the patient to a private area so the conversation will not be disturbed and cannot be seen.

Speak to the patient using an authoritative voice and ask them, "Why are you acting this way?”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:

When dealing with an angry and aggressive client, using clarification is an essential communication technique. It involves asking open-ended questions to better understand the patient's emotions and concerns, which can help defuse the situation and provide insight into the underlying issues.

Choice B rationale:

Maintaining constant eye contact can be interpreted as confrontational or aggressive behavior, potentially escalating the client's aggression. It's important to maintain a respectful distance and avoid behaviors that could exacerbate the situation.

Choice C rationale:

Moving the patient to a private area is a reasonable approach if the environment is contributing to the patient's agitation. However, the primary concern should be the safety of both the patient and the staff. Privacy can be important, but it shouldn't compromise safety.

Choice D rationale:

Speaking to the patient with an authoritative voice and asking "why" questions can escalate the situation further. It may come across as confrontational and provoke a defensive reaction from the patient. Open-ended questions that encourage the patient to express their feelings can be more effective in de-escalation.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Bizarre behavior is not a negative symptom of schizophrenia but rather a positive symptom. Positive symptoms involve an excess or distortion of normal functioning and include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or behavior. Bizarre behavior falls under the category of disorganized behavior, which is a positive symptom.

Choice B rationale:

Waxy flexibility is a characteristic of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Negative symptoms involve a reduction or loss of normal functioning and include behaviors like social withdrawal, reduced emotional expression, and decreased motivation. Waxy flexibility refers to the phenomenon where a person with schizophrenia can be molded into different positions and maintain those positions for an extended period. This rigidity is a manifestation of reduced spontaneous movement, which is a negative symptom.

Choice C rationale:

Somatic delusions are a type of positive symptom seen in schizophrenia. These delusions involve false beliefs about one's body, health, or bodily functions. They are not negative symptoms, which are characterized by deficits in normal functioning.

Choice D rationale:

Illogicality is related to disorganized thinking, which is a positive symptom of schizophrenia. Individuals experiencing disorganized thinking may have difficulty organizing their thoughts coherently and logically, leading to speech that is difficult to follow. Negative symptoms, on the other hand, involve a decrease in normal functioning and do not pertain to logical coherence.

A. "You will need to take this medication on an empty stomach.” B. "You will need to consume a low-salt diet while on this medication.” C. "You will need your blood levels drawn weekly during the first month.” D. "You will need to stop this medication if you develop severe diarrhea.”

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Ingesting lithium (Eskalith) on an empty stomach can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Therefore, clients are generally advised to take this medication with food or milk to minimize these side effects. This choice is incorrect.

Choice B rationale:

While sodium intake can impact lithium levels, clients are usually advised to maintain a consistent, moderate sodium intake rather than adopting a low-salt diet. Extreme dietary changes can affect lithium levels and potentially lead to toxicity, making this choice inaccurate.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring blood levels of lithium is crucial to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and prevent toxicity. During the initiation phase, frequent monitoring, typically weekly, is necessary to establish the appropriate dosage for each individual. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and blood levels need to be closely regulated.

Choice D rationale:

Discontinuing lithium abruptly can lead to worsened bipolar symptoms. Diarrhea can contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, potentially impacting lithium levels, but stopping the medication is not the initial action to take. Adjustments in dosage or management strategies are usually explored before considering discontinuation.

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A nurse in a mental health facility is interacting with a client who is angry and becoming increasingly aggressive. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a negative symptom?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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