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","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. It helps to regulate mood swings, prevent manic episodes, and reduce the risk of depressive episodes.
Choice B rationale:
Donepezil is not used to treat bipolar disorder. It is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor primarily used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Choice C rationale:
Valproate (Depakote) is another mood stabilizer used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It can help manage both manic and depressive episodes, as well as prevent future mood swings.
Choice D rationale:
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is an anticonvulsant medication that also has mood-stabilizing properties. It is often prescribed for individuals with bipolar disorder, especially those who do not respond well to lithium.
Choice E rationale:
Paroxetine (Paxil) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is not a primary medication choice for bipolar disorder.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Instructing the client to tell the voices to leave them alone oversimplifies the situation. It disregards the distress and lack of control that individuals with schizophrenia often experience when hearing voices. This response may also imply that the client has complete control over the voices, which is not accurate.
Choice B rationale:
Denying the existence of the voices contradicts the client's experience and could lead to further distrust between the client and nurse. Acknowledging the client's feelings and experiences is essential for building rapport and understanding in a therapeutic relationship.
Choice C rationale:
This response is appropriate because it acknowledges the client's experience and seeks to understand the content and nature of the voices. It demonstrates empathy and encourages open communication, which is crucial in providing effective care for individuals with schizophrenia.
Choice D rationale:
Asking the client why they think they are hearing the voices might be interpreted as confrontational or judgmental. It could make the client defensive and hinder open communication. Instead, focusing on the content of the voices allows the nurse to gain insight into the client's experiences without placing blame.
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