A nurse who works in a psychiatric unit is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder. The client comes to the nurse's station at 0300 demanding that the nurse call the provider immediately. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
You are being unreasonable, and I will not call your doctor at this hour."
Go back to your room, and I'll try to get in touch with your doctor."
You must be very upset about something
I can't call a doctor in the middle of the night unless it's an emergency."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "You are being unreasonable, and I will not call your doctor at this hour."
This response is confrontational and dismissive of the client's request. It does not promote a therapeutic interaction and might escalate the situation.
B. "Go back to your room, and I'll try to get in touch with your doctor."
This response might temporarily calm the client, but it’s misleading if the nurse does not intend to call the doctor. It also avoids addressing the client's immediate emotional needs and could result in a loss of trust if the nurse doesn’t follow through.
C. "You must be very upset about something."
This is the most therapeutic response. It acknowledges the client’s feelings without judgment and opens up communication. It allows the nurse to explore the client’s concerns, which is essential in providing appropriate care and support in a psychiatric setting.
D. "I can't call a doctor in the middle of the night unless it's an emergency."
While this statement is factually correct, it can come across as dismissive and could escalate the client's agitation. It does not acknowledge the client's emotions and might make the client feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Lithium: Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It helps to control mood swings and prevent the recurrence of manic and depressive episodes.
B. Carbamazepine: Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication that has been found effective in managing mood swings in bipolar disorder. It can help stabilize mood and prevent manic episodes.
C. Valproate (Valproic acid or Divalproex sodium): Valproate is another anticonvulsant medication that is used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. It can help control manic and mixed episodes.
The following options are not used to treat bipolar disorder:
D. Paroxetine: SSRIs, including paroxetine, carry a risk of inducing mania or hypomania in individuals with bipolar disorder. This risk is why these medications are usually avoided or used cautiously, always in conjunction with a mood stabilizer like lithium, valproate, or atypical antipsychotics. Before initiating paroxetine, it’s crucial that the client is stabilized with a mood stabilizer to minimize the risk of mood switching (i.e., moving from depression to mania or hypomania).
E. Donepezil: Donepezil is a medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It is not used to treat bipolar disorder.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
While preventing injury is important, it is not the highest priority when the client's respiratory and neurological functions are compromised. Managing the client's breathing takes precedence.
B. Applying a cooling blanket.
While hyperthermia (high fever) is a symptom of serotonin syndrome, the immediate concern is ensuring the client's breathing and neurological stability. Cooling measures can be beneficial, but they come after addressing the more critical issues.
C. Administering an anticonvulsant.
While anticonvulsants might be used to control seizures, preparing for artificial ventilation takes priority, as the client's airway and oxygenation must be secured before addressing other symptoms.
D. Preparing for artificial ventilation.
Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by an excess of serotonin in the body, often resulting from interactions between medications that affect serotonin levels. Severe manifestations of serotonin syndrome can include high fever, muscle rigidity, agitation, seizures, and even coma. In cases of severe serotonin syndrome, the client's neurological and respiratory functions can be compromised, making it crucial to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
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