A nurse on a mental health unit notices that a client is becoming increasingly agitated and throws a table when he is unable to select the television (TV) channel. Which of the following should be a priority action by the nurse?
Attempt to talk the client down.
Administer a PRN antianxiety medication.
Place the client in a monitored seclusion room until he is calm.
Restrain the client to prevent injury to himself or others.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Attempting to talk the client down is the priority action in this situation. Agitation can escalate to aggression or violence if not addressed appropriately. Engaging in therapeutic communication can help de-escalate the client's agitation, express understanding, and potentially find out the underlying cause of their distress. This approach prioritizes a non-pharmacological intervention.
Choice B rationale:
Administer a PRN antianxiety medication. While medication might be a consideration for managing agitation, it's generally not the first action to take. Non-pharmacological interventions, like therapeutic communication, should be attempted first to minimize the reliance on medications to manage behaviors.
Choice C rationale:
Place the client in a monitored seclusion room until he is calm. Placing a client in seclusion should be a last resort and should only be done when there's an immediate risk of harm to the client or others. In this scenario, the client's agitation doesn't seem to present an imminent danger, so seclusion would be an excessive and restrictive intervention.
Choice D rationale:
Restrain the client to prevent injury to himself or others. Restraint should be an absolute last resort and only used when there's an imminent risk of harm that cannot be managed in any other way. Restraint can escalate agitation and trauma for the client, as well as pose legal and ethical concerns. Therefore, it should only be used when all other options have been exhausted and safety is a critical concern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
(Correct) Severe anxiety can lead to a fight-or-flight response, which might manifest as aggressive behavior. The individual might feel threatened and react defensively, potentially displaying aggressive actions to protect themselves.
Choice B rationale:
Attention-seeking conduct is less likely to be a primary manifestation of severe anxiety. While individuals with anxiety might seek reassurance or attention, the level of anxiety described here is more likely to evoke a defensive response rather than attention-seeking behavior.
Choice C rationale:
Mild fidgeting can be a manifestation of anxiety, but in the context of severe anxiety, the physical symptoms are often more pronounced, including restlessness, trembling, and muscle tension.
Choice D rationale:
Mild difficulty problem-solving is less likely to be a prominent manifestation of severe anxiety. Severe anxiety tends to affect the individual's ability to function and cope, leading to more intense and immediate reactions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choiced. "So, it seems that you feel responsible for what happened to your mother.”
Choice A rationale:This response attempts to reassure the son but may come off as dismissive of his feelings. It does not encourage further discussion or exploration of his emotions.
Choice B rationale:This response is overly reassuring and dismisses the son’s feelings of guilt. It does not address his emotional state or encourage him to express his concerns.
Choice C rationale:This response questions the son’s feelings directly, which might make him defensive. It does not validate his emotions or encourage him to talk more about his feelings.
Choice D rationale:This response acknowledges the son’s feelings and encourages him to express his emotions. It is a therapeutic communication technique that helps the son feel heard and understood, which is crucial in providing emotional support.
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