A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder (conversion disorder). What action should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Assess regularly for self-harm during treatment.

Allow for unlimited discussion on physical symptoms.

Discuss alternative coping strategies with the client.

Encourage alone time for the client in seclusion.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: Assess regularly for self-harm during treatment

Regular assessment for self-harm is crucial in any psychiatric care plan, especially for clients with conversion disorder who may experience significant distress. However, this action alone does not address the underlying issues or provide the client with tools to manage their symptoms. Continuous monitoring is important, but it should be part of a broader, more comprehensive care plan.

Choice B Reason: Allow for unlimited discussion on physical symptoms

While it is important to validate the client’s experiences and provide a space for them to discuss their symptoms, allowing unlimited discussion can sometimes reinforce the symptoms and lead to increased focus on physical complaints. This approach may not be beneficial in the long term and can detract from addressing the psychological aspects of the disorder.

Choice C Reason: Discuss alternative coping strategies with the client

This is the correct answer. Discussing alternative coping strategies helps the client develop skills to manage their symptoms more effectively. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation exercises, and stress management can be very beneficial. These strategies empower the client to handle stress and reduce the impact of their symptoms. Providing education on coping mechanisms is a proactive approach that can lead to better outcomes.

Choice D Reason: Encourage alone time for the client in seclusion

Encouraging alone time in seclusion is generally not recommended for clients with conversion disorder. Seclusion can increase feelings of isolation and distress, potentially exacerbating symptoms. Instead, supportive and interactive interventions are preferred to help the client feel connected and understood.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Increase external stimuli.

Increasing external stimuli is not appropriate during a panic attack. Panic attacks are characterized by intense fear and anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shortness of breath. Increasing external stimuli can exacerbate these symptoms and heighten the client’s distress. The goal during a panic attack is to reduce stimuli and create a calming environment to help the client regain control.

Choice B Reason:

Stay with the client and speak to them in a calm manner.

This is the correct response. Staying with the client and speaking to them in a calm manner provides reassurance and helps to ground them during the panic attack. The presence of a calm and supportive nurse can help reduce the client’s anxiety and provide a sense of safety. This approach aligns with therapeutic communication techniques and is effective in managing acute anxiety episodes.

Choice C Reason:

Allow the client to have their requested space.

While it is important to respect a client’s need for space, leaving them alone during a panic attack may not be the best approach. Clients experiencing panic attacks may feel overwhelmed and frightened, and the presence of a supportive nurse can help them feel safer and more secure. It is important to balance the client’s need for space with the need for support and reassurance.

Choice D Reason:

Review the updated problem list with the client.

Reviewing the updated problem list is not appropriate during a panic attack. This action requires cognitive engagement and focus, which the client may not be capable of during an acute anxiety episode. The priority during a panic attack is to help the client calm down and manage their immediate symptoms, not to discuss or review problems.

A. The client is always aware that their behaviors are maladaptive. B. The client uses adaptive defense mechanisms to cope. C. The client never has mood or personality changes. D. The client does not experience loss of contact with reality.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

The statement “The client is always aware that their behaviors are maladaptive” is incorrect. While individuals with neurotic behavior may sometimes recognize that their behaviors are maladaptive, this awareness is not consistent. Neurotic behaviors are often automatic and unconscious efforts to manage deep anxiety. Therefore, the client may not always be aware of the maladaptive nature of their actions.

Choice B Reason:

The statement “The client uses adaptive defense mechanisms to cope” is incorrect. Neurotic behavior typically involves the use of maladaptive defense mechanisms rather than adaptive ones. These mechanisms, such as denial, repression, or projection, are employed to manage anxiety and stress but do not effectively resolve the underlying issues. Adaptive defense mechanisms, on the other hand, are more constructive and promote healthier coping strategies.

Choice C Reason:

The statement “The client never has mood or personality changes” is incorrect. Neurotic behavior is often associated with mood swings and emotional instability. Clients with neurotic tendencies may experience frequent changes in mood and may struggle with regulating their emotions. Therefore, it is inaccurate to state that the client never has mood or personality changes.

Choice D Reason:

The statement “The client does not experience loss of contact with reality” is correct. Neurotic behavior, unlike psychotic behavior, does not involve a loss of contact with reality4. Clients with neurotic tendencies remain aware of their surroundings and can distinguish between reality and their internal experiences4. This characteristic differentiates neurotic behavior from more severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, where a loss of reality is a key feature.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder (conversion disorder). What action should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An inpatient on the psychiatric unit is having a panic attack. An appropriate nursing intervention at this time would be to:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse working on a psychiatric unit is providing care for a client that reports feeling irritable and distressed. The client states, “I just feel so helpless.” Which of the following statements most aligns with the client’s presentation of neurotic behavior?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

As the discharge date for a client to leave gets closer, the client states, “I’m afraid to leave here. I’m afraid for my well-being and safety.” Which nursing statement is most supportive?

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A client tells the nurse, “I feel bad because my mother does not want me to return home after I leave the hospital.” Which nursing response is most therapeutic?

A client is having trouble remembering to take his antipsychotic medication, risperidone 3 mg PO, BID. The treatment team at the clinic he attends is considering starting him on risperidone 10 mg IM every 2 weeks. The rationale for this is:

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A nurse working on a mental health unit reviews therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication techniques with a student nurse. Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

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