A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted to the facility in critical condition following a cerebrovascular accident.
The client's son says to the nurse, "I wish I could stay, but I need to go home to see how my children are doing. I really hate to leave." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
"There's nothing you can do here. You should go home to your children."
"You are feeling drawn in two separate directions."
"Perhaps you could call your children to see how they are doing."
"Don't worry.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Dismissive and unsupportive: This response discounts the client's son's feelings of guilt and obligation toward their parent. It also implies that the client's son's presence is not valuable, which could further increase their distress.
Undermines the client's son's role as a caregiver: It suggests that the client's son has no responsibilities or ability to contribute to their parent's care, which could diminish their sense of agency and potentially lead to resentment or regret.
Fails to address the underlying emotions: It does not acknowledge the client's son's internal conflict and emotional turmoil, which is essential for providing effective support.
Choice C rationale:
Offers a practical solution, but may not address the core issue: While calling the children could provide temporary reassurance, it may not fully alleviate the client's son's feelings of guilt or anxiety about leaving their parent.
May not be feasible or sufficient: The client's son may need more than a phone call to feel comfortable leaving, and they may not be able to reach their children immediately.
Could be perceived as dismissive: It could suggest that the nurse is minimizing the client's son's concerns and not fully understanding their emotional needs.
Choice D rationale:
Reassuring, but may not address the client's son's guilt: While it provides assurance about the client's care, it does not directly acknowledge or validate the client's son's feelings of guilt or obligation.
Focuses on the client's care, but not the client's son's needs: It prioritizes the physical care of the client, but may overlook the emotional needs of the client's son, who is also a primary stakeholder in the situation.
May not be enough to alleviate the client's son's concerns: The client's son may still feel responsible for their parent's well- being, even with reassurance from the nurse.
Choice B rationale:
Empathetic and validates the client's son's feelings: It directly acknowledges the client's son's conflicting emotions and demonstrates understanding of their difficult situation.
Promotes self-reflection and exploration: It encourages the client's son to further express their feelings and explore their options, which can lead to greater clarity and self-awareness.
Facilitates decision-making: It helps the client's son to weigh their priorities and make a decision that aligns with their values and responsibilities, ultimately empowering them to take action.
Strengthens the therapeutic relationship: It demonstrates the nurse's ability to connect with the client's son on an emotional level, building trust and rapport.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Planning a therapeutic diet for the client is not the first priority. While a therapeutic diet may be necessary at some point, it is important to first assess the client's nutritional status to determine their individual needs. A diet plan that is not tailored to the client's specific needs could be ineffective or even harmful.
Focusing on diet planning prematurely could also reinforce the client's distorted body image and eating disorder behaviors. It is important to address the underlying psychological issues before implementing dietary interventions.
Choice C rationale:
Requesting a mental health consult is important, but it is not the first priority. The nurse should first gather data about the client's nutritional status to provide the mental health professional with a comprehensive understanding of the client's condition.
A mental health consult can be helpful in addressing the client's distorted body image and underlying psychological issues, but it should not take precedence over assessing and addressing the client's immediate physical needs.
Choice D rationale:
Providing a structured environment for the client can be helpful in managing eating disorders, but it is not the first priority. The client's immediate physical needs, such as nutritional status, should be addressed first.
A structured environment may include regular mealtimes, supervision during meals, and restrictions on activities that could be used to compensate for food intake (such as excessive exercise). However, these interventions are more effective when implemented in conjunction with addressing the client's underlying psychological issues.
Choice B rationale:
Identifying the client's nutritional status is the first priority because it will provide essential information about the severity of the client's malnutrition and any potential medical complications. This information will guide the nurse in developing an appropriate plan of care, including dietary interventions, mental health referrals, and other necessary measures.
A thorough nutritional assessment should include:
A review of the client's dietary intake, including the types and amounts of foods consumed, as well as any restrictions or avoidance of certain foods.
A physical examination to assess for signs of malnutrition, such as muscle wasting, dry skin, hair loss, and edema. Laboratory tests to evaluate electrolyte levels, blood glucose levels, and other nutritional markers.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
: The correct answer/s is Choice/s.
Choice A rationale: Phosphate level is a crucial indicator of the body’s electrolyte balance. In patients with anorexia nervosa, phosphate levels can be significantly affected due to malnutrition and the body’s metabolic response to starvation. Low phosphate levels, known as hypophosphatemia, can lead to serious complications such as muscle weakness, neurological dysfunction, and potentially life-threatening cardiac issues.
Choice B rationale: Capillary refill is a quick test performed on a patient to assess the adequacy of peripheral circulation. The time taken for color to return to an external capillary bed after pressure has been applied to cause blanching signifies the status of the patient’s peripheral blood circulation. Delayed capillary refill time may indicate shock or dehydration, which could be a concern in a patient with anorexia nervosa who may be dehydrated or malnourished.
Choice C rationale: Sodium level is another important electrolyte that needs to be monitored. Patients with anorexia nervosa can have abnormal sodium levels due to various factors such as vomiting, use of diuretics, or not consuming enough dietary sodium. Both high sodium (hypernatremia) and low sodium (hyponatremia) levels can lead to severe neurological symptoms and are considered medical emergencies.
Choice D rationale: Magnesium level is also an important consideration in patients with anorexia nervosa. Low magnesium levels, or hypomagnesemia, can occur due to inadequate dietary intake or excessive loss from the gastrointestinal tract, which can be seen in conditions like anorexia nervosa. Hypomagnesemia can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, seizures, and even cardiac arrhythmias.
Choice E rationale: Glucose level is a key indicator of a person’s metabolic state and energy balance. In patients with anorexia nervosa, glucose levels can be low due to inadequate food intake. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can lead to symptoms such as weakness, tremors, confusion, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening.
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