A nurse is caring for a client who is dilated to 10 cm and pushing. Which of the following pain-management measures should the nurse identify as a safe option for the client?

Rationale:

A. "Placement of the catheter is confirmed by a CT scan.": Catheter placement is typically confirmed by a chest X-ray, not a CT scan, to verify correct positioning and rule out complications such as pneumothorax. CT imaging is not routine for this purpose.

B. "You will be under general anesthesia for this procedure.": Placement of a nontunneled percutaneous central line is usually done under local anesthesia with possible mild sedation. General anesthesia is not required for this relatively short and minimally invasive procedure.

C. "The provider will wear a mask while performing the procedure.": A mask, along with sterile gloves, gown, and drape, is worn to maintain sterile technique and reduce the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections. This is standard protocol during central line insertion.

D. "Your head will be elevated as high as possible while the catheter is inserted.": The client is usually placed in the Trendelenburg position (head down) during catheter insertion to distend neck veins and reduce the risk of air embolism—not in a high head-elevated position.

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Decrease environmental stimulation: Reducing stimulation helps manage restlessness by preventing sensory overload, which can exacerbate agitation in clients with schizophrenia. A calm environment supports focus and reduces the risk of escalation or aggressive behavior.
• Provide constructive diversions: Constructive diversions such as quiet activities or art can channel aggressive energy into safe outlets. For a client expressing paranoia and aggression toward staff, structured and non-threatening engagement is therapeutic and promotes emotional regulation.
• Use visual cues to promote attention to tasks: Clients with schizophrenia often struggle with distractibility and disorganized thought processes. Visual prompts and step-by-step guides help them focus and complete hygiene tasks that would otherwise be overwhelming or forgotten.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Avoid discussing the client’s negative emotions: Suppressing emotional expression is countertherapeutic. Clients benefit from validating their emotions through supportive communication, which also builds trust and rapport necessary for effective care.
• Discourage participation in physical exercise: Exercise can be beneficial in reducing anxiety and agitation. Discouraging movement may increase restlessness or internal distress in clients who need outlets for excess energy.
• Minimize engagement with the client: Withdrawal from the client may reinforce feelings of paranoia or abandonment. Consistent therapeutic engagement is essential for building trust and managing disruptive behaviors.
• Place the client in a room away from the nurses’ station: Isolating a paranoid and aggressive client may increase their risk of harming themselves or others. Close observation near the nurses’ station ensures safety and quick intervention if escalation occurs.
• Instruct client to perform tasks independently: Clients with cognitive disruptions may not be able to initiate or complete hygiene without cues. Expecting full independence without support can lead to frustration, noncompliance, or neglect of self-care.
• Enact consequences for uncompleted hygiene tasks: Punitive measures are inappropriate for clients with psychiatric disorders who are impaired in their ability to carry out daily routines. Behavioral reinforcement must be therapeutic and supportive, not disciplinary.