The nurse continues to care for the client.

Exhibits

For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with psychosis or mania. Each finding may support more than one diagnosis.

A. Rotate staff members caring for the client. Clients with paranoid personality disorder often struggle with mistrust and feel suspicious of others. Consistency in staffing is important to build rapport and reduce anxiety, so rotating staff can worsen paranoia.
B. Speak in a neutral tone when addressing the client. This is appropriate because a calm, neutral, and non-threatening tone helps reduce perceived threats or suspicion. It promotes a sense of safety and control, which is important for therapeutic communication with paranoid individuals.
C. Limit the client's opportunities to socialize with others. While clients with paranoid personality disorder may prefer limited interaction, completely restricting socialization can increase isolation and reinforce delusional thinking. Structured, safe interactions are often encouraged.
D. Mix the medication with the client's food items. Administering medication without the client’s knowledge is deceptive and unethical, especially in someone already prone to distrust. Open and honest communication about treatment is crucial for promoting cooperation and trust.

A. Decrease the maintenance infusion rate of IV fluid. Epidural anesthesia can cause hypotension, so IV fluids are often used to help maintain blood pressure. Reducing the fluid rate may increase the risk of hypotensive episodes.
B. Have protamine sulfate available at the bedside. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin, not relevant to epidural anesthesia. It is not required in the management of epidural-related side effects.
C. Reposition the client side-to-side each hour. Frequent repositioning helps prevent pressure injuries, promotes fetal oxygenation, and encourages effective labor progression. It also aids in the distribution of the anesthetic agent.
D. Monitor the client for hypertension. Hypotension, not hypertension, is a common adverse effect of epidural anesthesia due to vasodilation and decreased peripheral resistance. Blood pressure should be monitored closely for drops.