A nurse is caring for a client who requires crisis intervention for acute anxiety. Which of the following nursing actions is the highest priority?
Identifying the client's coping skills.
Protecting the client from injury to himself.
Determining the cause of the client's anxiety.
Ensuring that the client feels safe.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Identifying the client's coping skills is an important assessment, but in the context of acute anxiety requiring crisis intervention, immediate safety takes precedence over assessment. Coping skills assessment can follow once the client is stable.
Choice B rationale:
Protecting the client from injury to himself is the highest priority in this scenario. Acute anxiety can lead to behaviors that pose a risk to the client's safety, such as self-harm or suicide. Ensuring the client's physical safety is paramount.
Choice C rationale:
Determining the cause of the client's anxiety is relevant for long-term care but not the immediate priority during crisis intervention. Immediate safety concerns must be addressed first.
Choice D rationale:
Ensuring that the client feels safe is important, but physical safety takes precedence. The client's subjective feeling of safety may not necessarily prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Joining a bowling league 2 months ago indicates that the client is actively seeking social interactions and engaging in activities. While grief can manifest in various ways, joining a social activity does not necessarily indicate maladaptive grief. It's important for individuals to find ways to connect with others and continue living their lives after the loss of a loved one.
Choice B rationale:
Meeting his daughter for dinner every week demonstrates ongoing communication and emotional connection with family. This behavior suggests a healthy attempt at maintaining relationships and coping with the loss. Regular interactions with family members can be supportive during the grieving process.
Choice C rationale:
Keeping his partner's closet untouched since her death is a sign of maladaptive grief. This behavior suggests an inability to let go of personal belongings and move forward after a significant period of time. In healthy grieving, individuals usually work through their emotions and gradually start reorganizing their living spaces and personal items.
Choice D rationale:
Exercising at a local health facility 3 days each week indicates that the client is engaging in self-care and maintaining physical health. While exercise can be a coping mechanism, this behavior alone does not provide enough evidence to determine whether the client is experiencing maladaptive grief.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D: "Remain with the client in his room for a while."
Choice D rationale:
This choice is the correct answer because when a client is experiencing panic-level anxiety, their immediate need is for support and reassurance. Staying with the client helps establish a sense of safety and demonstrates the nurse's presence, which can help reduce anxiety. Providing a calming and supportive presence is a therapeutic nursing intervention in this situation.
Choice A rationale:
Medicating the client with a sedative might be appropriate in some cases of severe anxiety, but it should not be the first action taken. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as offering emotional support, should be prioritized before resorting to medication.
Choice B rationale:
Joining a therapy group might be beneficial for the client in the future, but during the acute phase of panic-level anxiety, the client might not be in a state to actively participate and engage in group therapy. Immediate individual attention is necessary.
Choice C rationale:
While suggesting that the client rest in bed could be helpful for relaxation, it might not be sufficient to address the intensity of panic-level anxiety. The client might not be able to rest or calm down without more direct support from the nurse.
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