After receiving a change of shift report for patients on a medical-surgical unit, which task should the nurse delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Choice A rationale

While securing the room with padded walls and minimal furnishings is an important aspect of seclusion, it is not the most important intervention immediately after seclusion. The safety of the client is paramount, and observing for extrapyramidal symptoms, such as dystonia, is crucial as haloperidol, an antipsychotic medication known to have the potential for causing extrapyramidal side effects, was administered.

Choice B rationale

Releasing the client as soon as composure is regained is not the most important intervention. The client’s mental and physical health needs to be continuously monitored, especially for side effects of the medication administered.

Choice C rationale

Providing one-on-one observation at all times is important, but it is not the most important intervention immediately after seclusion. The priority is to monitor for any adverse effects of the medication administered.

Choice D rationale

Observing for extrapyramidal symptoms, such as dystonia, is the most important intervention immediately after seclusion because haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication known to have the potential for causing extrapyramidal side effects.

Choice A rationale

Phobia is characterized by an excessive and irrational fear response. In this case, the patient’s symptoms do not indicate a specific fear, but rather general distress and intrusive thoughts related to a traumatic event.

Choice B rationale

The patient’s symptoms, which include distressing thoughts and memories of the house collapsing, difficulty sleeping, and a significant change in mood, are indicative of acute stress disorder related to traumatic stress exposure. Acute stress disorder can occur within a month of experiencing a traumatic event, like a natural disaster.

Choice C rationale

Hallucinations involve perceiving something that is not present. The patient’s symptoms do not include any indications of hallucinations.

Choice D rationale

Separation anxiety involves excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those to whom the individual is attached. The patient’s symptoms do not indicate a fear of separation, but rather distress related to a traumatic event.