An adolescent who was arrested a month ago for gang-related activities has a court order to attend weekly group therapy sessions at the mental health clinic. Today the adolescent's mother calls the clinic nurse to report that her child became angry last night and put a fist through a window. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
Reinforce the need for the adolescent to attend group therapy sessions.
Tell the mother to describe her feelings of helplessness to her child.
Advise the mother to call the police if violent behavior occurs again.
Refer the mother for psychiatric evaluation for anxiety and depression.
The Correct Answer is C
A. While reinforcing the need for group therapy sessions is important, it does not address the immediate safety concerns associated with violent behavior. Therapy is a long-term solution, but immediate action is necessary to prevent harm.
B. Telling the mother to describe her feelings of helplessness to the adolescent is not appropriate. It may increase the adolescent's frustration or aggression, rather than de-escalating the situation.
C. Advising the mother to call the police if violent behavior occurs again is the most important intervention. Violent actions, such as putting a fist through a window, indicate a risk for harm to self or others, and law enforcement intervention may be needed to ensure safety.
D. Referring the mother for psychiatric evaluation may be helpful if she is experiencing anxiety or depression, but it does not address the immediate concern of the adolescent's violent behavior.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
In the scenario presented, the nurse should prioritize addressing the client's sleep disturbances, heightened startle response, and feelings of sadness and numbness. These symptoms may indicate acute stress reaction or post-traumatic stress disorder, conditions that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event such as a car crash. Immediate interventions could include providing a safe and calm environment, offering support and reassurance, assessing for risk of harm to self or others, and referring to mental health professionals for further evaluation and treatment. It's also important to acknowledge the client's proactive steps, such as joining a grief support group and exercising, which are positive coping strategies. The nurse should collaborate with the client to build on these healthy habits while addressing the more distressing symptoms with appropriate care and referrals.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Involving the client in a daily exercise program may be beneficial for depression but does not directly address the issue of delayed responses during questioning.
B. Asking the client to describe her depression may be helpful for assessment purposes but does not address the immediate need of dealing with delayed responses.
C. Spending time sitting in silence with the client allows the nurse to provide a supportive presence without pressure for immediate responses, which can be helpful for a client experiencing depression-related delays in communication.
D. Observing for signs of possible psychosis is important but may not be indicated solely based on delayed responses; other symptoms would need to be present to warrant this concern.
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