A nurse is in the day room of an acute care mental health facility with a group of clients who are watching television.

Suddenly, one of the clients jumps up screaming and runs out of the room.

What should the nurse do next?

Ask the group what they think about the client’s behavior.

Stay with the group and ask another client to go and check on the situation.

Follow the client to determine the cause of the behavior.

Ignore the incident since it is an attention-seeking behavior.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Asking the group what they think about the client's behavior is not appropriate for several reasons. It could violate the client's confidentiality, it could create a sense of judgment or stigma among the group members, and it is unlikely to provide accurate or helpful information about the cause of the behavior. The nurse's primary responsibility is to the client who is experiencing distress, not to gather opinions from others.

Choice B rationale:

Staying with the group and asking another client to check on the situation is also not appropriate. It is the nurse's responsibility to assess and address the client's behavior, not to delegate this task to another client. This could potentially put the other client at risk, as they may not have the training or skills to handle the situation effectively. Additionally, it could create a sense of division or lack of support within the group.

Choice D rationale:

Ignoring the incident is never appropriate, as it could potentially endanger the client or others. It is important to remember that all behaviors have meaning, and even attention-seeking behaviors can be a sign of underlying distress. The nurse needs to assess the situation to determine the cause of the behavior and provide appropriate interventions.

Choice C rationale:

Following the client to determine the cause of the behavior is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. This allows the nurse to assess the client's safety, provide support, and intervene as necessary. It also demonstrates to the client that the nurse is concerned and willing to help. Key considerations for the nurse:

Safety: The nurse's primary concern is always the safety of the client, themselves, and others. It's crucial to assess for any potential risks of harm and take appropriate precautions.

Assessment: Careful observation and assessment of the client's behavior, including verbal and nonverbal cues, can provide valuable insights into the underlying causes.

Communication: Establishing a calm, supportive, and non-judgmental communication with the client is essential to gain their trust and cooperation.

Intervention: The nurse may need to employ various interventions, such as de-escalation techniques, distraction, or medication, depending on the assessment and the client's needs.

Documentation: Thorough documentation of the incident, the nurse's assessment, and interventions is important for continuity of care and communication with other healthcare professionals.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Increased salivation is a common side effect of haloperidol, but it is not the most serious adverse effect that the nurse should monitor for. It can be managed with medications such as anticholinergics, and it often subsides with continued use of haloperidol. Choice B rationale:

Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when haloperidol is combined with other medications that increase serotonin levels, such as antidepressants. However, it is not a direct adverse effect of haloperidol itself.

Choice C rationale:

Increased menstrual bleeding is not a known side effect of haloperidol.

Choice D rationale:

Tardive dyskinesia is a serious and potentially irreversible movement disorder that can occur as a long-term side effect of haloperidol and other antipsychotic medications. It is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, and limbs.

The risk of tardive dyskinesia increases with the length of time that a person takes haloperidol and with the dose of the medication.

There is no cure for tardive dyskinesia, but the symptoms can sometimes be managed with medications.

It is important for nurses to monitor patients who are taking haloperidol for signs of tardive dyskinesia, so that the medication can be discontinued if necessary.

A. “I mentally separate myself from distractions around me when I paint on canvas.” B. “I wrote a short story about a heroic woman when I was really mad at my boss.” C. “I still cannot remember the scene of my husband’s car accident.” D. “I don’t care about work anymore since I was not given a promotion.”

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Mental separation from distractions during painting is a healthy coping mechanism, allowing for focus and mindfulness.

It falls under the adaptive defense mechanism of compartmentalization, which involves temporarily separating thoughts and emotions to manage stress effectively.

It doesn't deny or distort reality, but rather creates a temporary mental space for relaxation and creativity.

Choice B rationale:

Writing a short story about a heroic woman is a form of sublimation, channeling negative emotions into a productive and creative outlet.

It's a mature defense mechanism that allows for indirect expression of anger or frustration without causing harm to oneself or others.

It can lead to personal growth and insight, as it encourages reflection and exploration of emotions through storytelling.

Choice C rationale:

Inability to recall the scene of a traumatic event is likely a dissociative defense mechanism, protecting the individual from overwhelming psychological distress.

It's a common response to trauma, and while it may be maladaptive in the long term if it prevents processing the trauma, it serves a protective function in the acute phase.

It doesn't necessarily indicate a maladaptive coping style overall, but rather a specific response to a traumatic experience.

Choice D rationale:

Declaring disinterest in work after being denied a promotion exemplifies disengagement, a maladaptive coping mechanism involving withdrawal and apathy.

It reflects an inability to cope with disappointment or setbacks in a constructive way.

It can lead to social isolation, decreased motivation, and potentially depression or other mental health issues.

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A nurse is in the day room of an acute care mental health facility with a group of clients who are watching television. Suddenly, one of the clients jumps up screaming and runs out of the room. What should the nurse do next?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is taking haloperidol. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

During a group therapy session, a nurse observes several clients using multiple defense mechanisms. Which of the following client statements demonstrates the use of maladaptive coping mechanisms?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has borderline personality disorder (BPD). What should the nurse monitor in the client’s Medication Administration Record?

A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend to include?

A nurse in an acute care mental health facility is caring for a client who has major depression and states, “Everyone will be much better off when I’m gone.” Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse in an acute care mental health facility is caring for a client who begins to yell and scream at staff members. Which of the following actions is the nurse’s priority?

A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has several new prescriptions for psychotropic medications. The client tells the nurse that she has always had trouble following a medication regimen. What should the nurse respond?

A nurse in a community clinic is speaking to a parent who expresses concern for her adolescent son. Which of the following statements by the mother should indicate to the nurse that the adolescent is at risk for suicide?

A nurse is attending to a client experiencing acute anxiety. Which of the following actions should the nurse undertake? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is reinforcing dietary teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a monoamine oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI). Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid while taking an MAOI?

A nurse is in the day room of an acute care mental health facility with a group of clients who are watching television.

Suddenly, one of the clients jumps up screaming and runs out of the room.

What should the nurse do next?