A nurse is caring for a client who reports acute, moderate anxiety. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

Instruct the client to remember past coping mechanisms.

Provide a diverting activity.

Encourage verbalization of feelings.

Remain with the client.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

By remaining with the client, the nurse provides a sense of support and security. This presence can help alleviate the client's anxiety and provide reassurance. It also ensures that the nurse is available to assess the client's condition, offer therapeutic communication, and intervene if the anxiety escalates or the client becomes overwhelmed.

While the other options are also beneficial interventions for managing anxiety, they are not the priority in this situation. Instructing the client to remember past coping mechanisms (Option A) can be helpful, but the immediate presence of the nurse is more important to provide immediate support.

Providing a diverting activity (Option B) can be beneficial to distract the client from their anxiety, but it does not address the underlying anxiety or provide direct support.

Encouraging verbalization of feelings (Option C) is important for therapeutic communication, but it may not be the initial priority when the client is experiencing acute anxiety.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Remaining with the client demonstrates a supportive and therapeutic presence. It can help provide a sense of safety, reassurance, and comfort to the client who is experiencing difficulty sleeping and exhibiting signs of anxiety or restlessness. By staying with the client, the nurse can actively listen, observe, and assess the client's needs, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.

A- Giving a PRN (as-needed) sleeping medication should not be the first response, as it is important to explore non-pharmacological interventions and address the underlying cause of the client's difficulty sleeping.

B- Exploring alternatives to pacing the floor with the client may be an appropriate intervention after assessing the client's needs and preferences.

C- Encouraging the client to go back to bed may not be effective if the client is experiencing significant anxiety or restlessness.

A. "Why are you feeling so down?" B. "It might help you feel better if you talk about it." C. "I understand. I've felt like that before, too." D. "I'll just sit here with you for a few minutes then."

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

This response acknowledges the client's feelings and respects their desire for space and silence. By offering to sit with the client, the nurse provides a comforting presence without pressuring the client to talk or share their emotions. It shows understanding and support for the client's current emotional state.

The other options may not be as helpful in this situation:

A- "Why are you feeling so down?" can be seen as intrusive and may make the client feel defensive or overwhelmed. It's important to respect the client's boundaries and not push them to explain their feelings if they are not ready.

B- "It might help you feel better if you talk about it." While talking about feelings can be beneficial for some individuals, it should be done on the client's terms. Pressuring the client to talk about their emotions may create additional distress.

C- "I understand. I've felt like that before, too." While sharing personal experiences can be a way to establish rapport, it should be done cautiously and with consideration for the client's unique situation. In this case, the focus should be on the client's needs rather than the nurse's experiences.

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A nurse is caring for a client who reports acute, moderate anxiety. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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