A nurse is caring for a client who requires a crisis intervention for acute anxiety. Which of the following actions should be the nurse's highest priority?

Choice A: Giving opinion: While sharing your opinions might seem helpful, it can actually shut down communication and make the patient feel judged or invalidated. Therapeutic communication focuses on understanding the patient's perspective, not imposing your own views.

Choice B: Asking why: Asking "why" can often come across as accusatory or judgmental, putting the patient on the defensive and hindering open communication. Instead, use open-ended s or clarifying statements to encourage the patient to elaborate on their feelings and experiences.

Choice C: Silence: In some situations, silence can be a powerful tool. It can provide a safe space for the patient to process their emotions, gather their thoughts, or initiate conversation themselves. However, be sure to use silence actively, paying close attention to nonverbal cues and ensuring the patient feels comfortable with the pause.

Choice D: Change the subject: While there may be times when it's appropriate to redirect the conversation, abruptly changing the subject can leave the patient feeling unheard and dismissed. It's important to acknowledge the patient's concerns and validate their feelings before moving on to another topic.

Choice E: Reflecting: Reflecting involves rephrasing the patient's words or statements in a way that acknowledges and emphasizes their emotions and experiences. This helps the patient feel heard and understood, promoting trust and openness in the communication. For example, if a patient says "I feel so alone," you could reflect by saying "It sounds like you're feeling isolated and disconnected."

Choice F: Clarification: Clarifying statements are a helpful way to ensure you understand the patient correctly. This can involve repeating parts of what they said, summarizing their message, or asking for specific details. For example, if a patient says "I just can't take it anymore," you could clarify by saying "You mentioned you're feeling overwhelmed. Can you tell me more about what's been difficult for you?"

By utilizing techniques like silence, reflecting, and clarification, nurses can create a safe and supportive environment for their patients in the mental health unit, fostering therapeutic communication that promotes healing and recovery.

To calculate the amount of fluoxetine to administer, we can use the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the desired dose, which is 40 mg.

Step 2: Identify the available dose, which is 20 mg/5 mL.

Step 3: Set up the equation to solve for the unknown, which is the volume in mL. The equation is (Desired Dose ÷ Available Dose) × Volume = Volume to Administer.

Step 4: Substitute the known values into the equation: (40 mg ÷ 20 mg) × 5 mL = Volume to Administer. Step 5: Solve the equation: 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL.

So, the nurse should administer 10 mL of fluoxetine.