A nurse is admitting a client who is scheduled for an elective surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify the status of the client's advance directives?

A. Ask the client whether they have advance directives: Directly asking the client ensures that the nurse obtains accurate and up-to-date information regarding the client's advance directives.
B. Refer to the client's identification card for their advance directives status: While some clients may carry identification cards indicating their advance directives status, relying solely on this information may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.
C. Verify the client's advance directives with their health care surrogate: This step may be necessary if the client is incapacitated or unable to communicate, but it should not replace direct communication with the client.
D. Check for a written do-not-resuscitate prescription in the client's medical record: While checking the medical record is important, advance directives may include more comprehensive instructions beyond do-not-resuscitate orders, so direct communication with the client is essential.

A. Discussing the client's feelings prior to the panic attack may be helpful during a debriefing session but is not the priority during an acute panic attack.
B. While positive self-talk strategies can be beneficial for managing anxiety, they may not be effective during the acute phase of a panic attack when the client is experiencing overwhelming symptoms.
C. Instructing the client to use abdominal breathing helps to regulate breathing patterns and reduce the intensity of the panic attack by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
D. Administering an antianxiety medication may be necessary in severe cases of panic attacks, but it is not typically the first intervention. Non-pharmacological techniques such as breathing exercises should be attempted first.