he nurse observes the client experiencing a panic attack in the day room in the behavioral health unit. Which is the priority action by the nurse?
Educate the client in ways to prevent a future panic attack.
Take the client for a walk around the unit
Stay with the client and maintain a safe environment
Redirect the client to an activity or task
The Correct Answer is C
During a panic attack, the client may experience intense fear and anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and trembling. The most critical action the nurse should take is to stay with the client and provide support. By remaining present, the nurse can help the client feel safe and reassured, while also monitoring their condition for any signs of worsening distress or the need for further intervention. Maintaining a safe environment is also crucial to prevent any harm to the client or others. Once the immediate crisis is managed and the client starts to calm down, the nurse can then proceed with other interventions, such as education on coping strategies or engaging in activities to redirect their focus. However, in this situation, the priority is to provide immediate support and ensure the client's safety.
The following are incorrect because:
Educate the client in ways to prevent a future panic attack: While education on preventing future panic attacks is important, it is not the priority action during an ongoing panic attack. The client is currently in distress and needs immediate support and assistance in managing the panic attack. Education can be provided at a later time when the client is calmer and more receptive to learning.
Take the client for a walk around the unit: Taking the client for a walk may be a beneficial intervention to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in some situations. However, during an active panic attack, the client may be experiencing significant distress and physical symptoms that can make movement difficult or exacerbate their symptoms. It is essential to prioritize the client's immediate needs and provide a supportive environment before considering other activities or interventions.
Redirect the client to an activity or task: Redirecting the client to an activity or task may be helpful in some situations to distract them from their anxiety. However, during a panic attack, the client may find it challenging to engage in activities or focus on tasks due to their heightened state of anxiety. Redirecting their attention without addressing their immediate distress may not be as effective or appropriate as providing support and maintaining a safe environment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
The nurse should include the following components when performing a mental status examination (MSE) on a client with a new diagnosis of dementia:
● Grooming: Assessing the client's grooming and personal hygiene can provide insights into their ability to care for themselves and maintain basic activities of daily living.
● Long-term memory: Evaluating the client's long-term memory can help identify any deficits or impairments in their ability to recall past events, experiences, or personal information. This is particularly relevant in dementia, as it often affects memory function.
● Support systems: Assessing the client's support systems, such as family members, friends, or caregivers, is essential in understanding the resources available to the client and the level of assistance they may require in managing their dementia. However, this does not occur within the mental status exam.
● Affect: Evaluating the client's affect refers to observing their emotional expression and responsiveness during the assessment. In dementia, changes in affect can occur, such as a flat affect or inappropriate emotional responses.
The component that should not be included in the MSE for a client with dementia is:
● Presence of pain: While pain assessment is an important aspect of caring for individuals with various health conditions, including dementia, it is not a specific component of the mental status examination. Pain assessment is typically addressed separately and should be conducted when necessary or based on the client's specific complaints or indications of pain.
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
The statements by the client that would require the nurse to notify the health care provider to cancel the MRI procedure are:
● “I had a pacemaker inserted a few years ago because my heart was not beating fast enough.”
● "I fell down my basement steps last year and broke my hip and had to have a hip replacement.”
● “When I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, they had to replace the valve with a prosthetic valve."
These statements indicate that the client has metallic implants or devices in their body, which can be affected by the strong magnetic field of an MRI machine. This can pose a risk to the client’s safety and may interfere with the accuracy of the MRI results.
The other statements do not necessarily require the cancellation of the MRI procedure, but the nurse may need to take additional precautions or provide additional support to ensure the client’s comfort and safety during the procedure.
Here is a detailed explanation of why the other choices do not necessarily require the cancellation of the MRI procedure:
● “I have such terrible anxiety, I don’t know if I can remain still throughout the procedure.”: While anxiety can make it difficult for a client to remain still during an MRI procedure, it does not necessarily require the cancellation of the procedure. The nurse may provide additional support or medication to help the client manage their anxiety and remain still during the procedure.
● “I have diabetes mellitus type and have been taking insulin for many years.”: Having diabetes and taking insulin does not necessarily require the cancellation of an MRI procedure. The nurse may need to take additional precautions to ensure that the client’s blood sugar levels are stable during the procedure, but it does not pose a direct risk to the client’s safety or interfere with the accuracy of the MRI results.
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