A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department (ED). The client comes to the ED via ambulance. The client has a history of bipolar disorder and is experiencing acute mania.
Select the 3 prescriptions that the nurse should anticipate for this client.

Choice A rationale: Feeling too tired to attend a group meeting does not necessarily indicate anxiety. It could be due to various reasons such as lack of sleep, side effects of medication, or lack of motivation, which are not indications for administering lorazepam.

Choice B rationale: Seeing “purple bugs crawling on the wall” is a hallucination, which is a symptom of schizophrenia, not anxiety. Lorazepam is not typically used as the first-line treatment for hallucinations.

Choice C rationale: Believing that he is a government agent is a delusion, which is a symptom of schizophrenia. Lorazepam is not typically used as the first-line treatment for delusions.

Choice D rationale: “My heart is pounding out of my chest” is a common symptom of anxiety. It indicates that the client might be experiencing physiological symptoms of anxiety such as increased heart rate and palpitations. In this case, administering lorazepam, which is an anxiolytic medication, would be appropriate.

In conclusion, the nurse should consider administering lorazepam when the client states, “My heart is pounding out of my chest.”

Lorazepam is a medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class, commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. It works by slowing down the activity in the brain and nervous system, producing a calming effect.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and anxiety that persists for at least 6 months, interfering with daily life.

Important Considerations:

Lorazepam is a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence.

It should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, who can assess the individual's needs and potential risks.

Self-treating with lorazepam is dangerous and can lead to serious consequences.

If you have concerns about anxiety or are considering using lorazepam, please consult a licensed physician or mental health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment guidance.

Remember,

Choice A rationale:

Anger is a common and expected response to trauma, including sexual assault. It can stem from various sources, including:

Feelings of violation and powerlessness: Survivors may feel intense anger towards the perpetrator for taking control of their bodies and lives.

Betrayal: If the assault was committed by someone they knew or trusted, survivors may feel intense anger towards that person for breaking their trust.

Frustration and injustice: Survivors may feel angry at the injustice of the situation, the lack of control they had, and the ongoing impact of the trauma.

Difficulty processing other emotions: Anger can sometimes mask other emotions that are difficult to deal with, such as fear, sadness, or guilt.

Anger can manifest in various ways, including:

Irritability and outbursts: Survivors may have a short temper, snap at others easily, or have difficulty controlling their anger. Aggression: In some cases, anger can lead to physical or verbal aggression towards others or self-harming behaviors.

Withdrawal and isolation: Some survivors may withdraw from social interactions and relationships to avoid potential triggers for their anger.

Substance abuse: Some survivors may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb their feelings or cope with their anger.

Choice B rationale:

Sleeping 12 hours or more each day can be a symptom of PTSD, but it is not a specific indicator of anger. It can also be a sign of depression, anxiety, or hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.

Choice C rationale:

PTSD can sometimes lead to an increased sense of detachment from others, rather than attachment. Survivors may feel emotionally numb, have difficulty trusting others, or withdraw from relationships.

Choice D rationale:

While some survivors of sexual assault may feel a need to talk about the event, it is not a universal symptom of PTSD. Some survivors may avoid talking about the event altogether due to the distress it causes.