A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old toddler. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend to promote independence in eating?

Choice B rationale:

Flumazenil is a selective antagonist for the benzodiazepine receptor and is used as an antidote for benzodiazepine toxicity. It competitively inhibits the effects of benzodiazepines by binding to the same receptor sites in the central nervous system. Flumazenil can rapidly reverse the sedative and respiratory-depressant effects of benzodiazepine overdose, making it the appropriate choice in this scenario.

Choice A rationale:

Atropine is an anticholinergic medication that is used to treat bradycardia and certain types of heart block. It has no specific antidote effects for benzodiazepine toxicity and would not be the appropriate choice in this situation.

Choice C rationale:

Activated charcoal is used in the management of certain types of poisonings by adsorbing the toxic substance in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. However, it is not effective for benzodiazepine toxicity, which primarily affects the central nervous system and not the gastrointestinal tract.

Choice D rationale:

Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose. It has no specific effects on benzodiazepine toxicity and would not be the appropriate choice in this case.

The correct answer is Choice A.

Choice A rationale: “What are the voices telling you?” This is the priority response because it directly addresses the client’s immediate concern. The nurse is acknowledging the client’s experience and seeking to understand more about it. This can help the nurse assess the potential for harm to the client or others, as the voices may be instructing the client to engage in dangerous behaviors.

Choice B rationale: “Have you taken your medication today?” While medication adherence is important in managing schizophrenia, this response does not address the client’s immediate concern about hearing voices. It may also come across as dismissive of the client’s experience.

Choice C rationale: “I realize the voices are real to you, but I don’t hear anything.” This response validates the client’s experience, but it does not gather further information about what the voices are saying, which is crucial for assessing safety.

Choice D rationale: “How long have you been hearing the voices?” While this question is relevant for understanding the client’s history and the progression of their illness, it is not the priority response. The immediate concern should be what the voices are saying to assess for potential harm.