An older client with dementia who is refusing to allow an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) bathe her is becoming increasingly agitated and stating the UAP wants to hurt her and tie her up. Which approach should the nurse use with the client?
Reduce the client's interaction with others during the day.
Use distraction and therapeutic communication skills.
Awaken the client earlier for daily morning care.
Clarify reality with the client about delusional thoughts.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Reducing the client's interaction with others during the day is not the most appropriate approach in this situation. It may lead to increased social isolation and worsen the client's agitation and delusions. It does not address the client's emotional distress.
Choice B rationale:
Using distraction and therapeutic communication skills is the most suitable approach for a client with dementia who is experiencing agitation and delusional thoughts. Distraction techniques can help redirect the client's focus away from distressing thoughts, and therapeutic communication skills, such as active listening and validation, can help the client feel understood and supported.
Choice C rationale:
Awakening the client earlier for daily morning care may further disrupt the client's sleep patterns and worsen agitation. It does not address the underlying issue of delusional thoughts and the client's emotional distress.
Choice D rationale:
Clarifying reality with the client about delusional thoughts can be counterproductive in dementia care. The client's cognitive impairment may make it challenging for them to understand or accept the clarification, leading to increased frustration and agitation. It is essential to use a more empathetic and therapeutic approach.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Reporting the finding to the healthcare provider is important when the client no longer responds to commands and exhibits a specific response to pain. However, it should not be the first action. The nurse's initial response should be to assess and document the client's neurological status and response to pain to provide accurate information to the healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale:
Documenting the purposeful response to pain is the correct initial action in this scenario. The client's response, which involves pulling the arms inward with elbows and wrists flexed and extending the legs with the toes pointed downward, is known as decerebrate posturing. It is a specific neurological response to painful stimuli and may indicate a brain injury. Documenting this response is crucial for the client's medical record and helps the healthcare provider assess the severity of the neurological injury.
Choice C rationale:
Initiating seizure precautions immediately is not the first action to take in this scenario. While the client's response to pain may resemble posturing seen in seizures, it is more indicative of a neurological injury or dysfunction. Further assessment and evaluation are needed before implementing seizure precautions.
Choice D rationale:
Administering a prescribed PRN analgesic is not the first action to take when the client exhibits decerebrate posturing in response to pain. This response indicates a neurological issue or injury that requires assessment and evaluation. Administering pain medication without a clear understanding of the underlying cause may not be appropriate and could potentially mask important neurological signs.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
When a client refuses to look at their mastectomy incision and refuses to talk about it, the best response by the practical nurse (PN) is to respect the client's autonomy and validate their feelings. Option a) acknowledges the client's discomfort and provides reassurance that it is okay for them to decline looking or talking about the incision at the moment. It also offers support by letting the client know that the incision will be available for examination when they feel ready to do so.
Let's evaluate the other options:
b) "Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show you the wound?"
This response assumes that the client needs someone else present to address their refusal to look at the incision. While having another nurse present may be helpful for some clients, it is not the appropriate first response. Respecting the client's autonomy and providing support should be the initial approach.
c) "Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will need to look at your incision."
This response may come across as directive and insensitive. It implies that the client must look at their incision as part of their recovery process, disregarding their feelings and personal choices. It is important to respect the client's autonomy and allow them to navigate their own healing journey at their own pace.
d) "You will feel beter when you see that the incision is not as bad as you may think."
This response invalidates the client's feelings and assumes that their concerns about the incision are unfounded. It is essential to respect the client's emotions and validate their experience rather than dismissing or minimizing their concerns.
In summary, when a client refuses to look at their mastectomy incision and refuses to talk about it, the best response by the practical nurse (PN) is to acknowledge the client's discomfort, respect their autonomy, and provide reassurance that it is okay for them to decline looking or talking about the incision at that moment. The client's readiness to address the incision should be honored, and support should be offered when they are ready.
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