A nurse is caring for a client who has severe manifestations of schizophrenia and is medicated PRN for agitation with haloperidol. The nurse should assess the client for which of the following adverse effects?

A. Regression: Incorrect

Regression is a defense mechanism in which a person reverts to an earlier stage of development in response to stress or anxiety. For example, an adult might start behaving like a child when faced with a difficult situation. In this case, the student berating the teacher doesn't demonstrate a return to an earlier developmental stage, so regression is not the correct choice.

B. Conversion: Incorrect

Conversion refers to the conversion of emotional distress into physical symptoms, such as experiencing physical pain without any apparent physical cause. This mechanism is often seen in conditions like conversion disorder. The student berating the teacher is not exhibiting physical symptoms as a response to emotional distress, so conversion is not the correct choice.

C. Projection: Correct

Projection is the act of attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to another person. In this scenario, the student is projecting their own failure onto the teacher and the course by blaming them for the failure. They are unable to accept their own role in the failure and are instead placing the blame on external factors. This aligns with the behavior described in the scenario.

D. Undoing: Incorrect

Undoing involves trying to compensate for or negate an unacceptable action or thought with a contrary action. For instance, someone who had angry thoughts might engage in excessive acts of kindness to "undo" those thoughts. The student berating the teacher is not engaging in actions to negate their negative feelings or thoughts; they are expressing their frustration directly.

While offering female assistive personnel for personal hygiene care is one option, it doesn't necessarily address the larger concern of the client's discomfort with a male nurse in her care team. The nurse manager's response should address the client's overall care and interactions.

B) "Your doctor is a man, so it seems like this should not be a problem."

Comparing the client's situation to the gender of the doctor might not be perceived as sensitive or supportive. The client's comfort with different members of the care team can vary, and it's important to address her concerns directly.

C) "I can review the assignments and arrange for a female nurse to care for you."

Explanation:

Respecting a patient's preferences and comfort is an important aspect of patient-centered care. If the female client expresses discomfort with a male nurse providing care due to her traumatic experience, it's appropriate for the nurse manager to accommodate her request if feasible. Changing the assignment to ensure that a female nurse provides care respects the client's wishes and helps create a more supportive and comfortable environment.

D) "The nurse assigned to care for you is very capable and cares for other women in this situation."

While it's important to emphasize the capabilities of the nurse, this response does not directly address the client's expressed discomfort with a male nurse. It's crucial to prioritize the client's feelings and concerns in this situation.