The nurse is caring for a client in an acute mental health unit. The client states, “I believe my food is poisoned.” Which of the following should be an appropriate action by the nurse?

Taking steps to prevent the client from verbalizing the delusional thoughts.

Allowing the client to select food from vending machines.

Explaining that others eat the same food and feel safe.

Encouraging the client to discuss why someone would poison the food.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A Reason:
Taking steps to prevent the client from verbalizing delusional thoughts is not therapeutic. It can lead to the client feeling misunderstood and unsupported. Nurses should provide a safe environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Choice B Reason:
Allowing the client to select food from vending machines can be a temporary measure to address the immediate concern of the client’s fear of being poisoned. It provides a sense of control over their situation and may help to reduce anxiety related to eating.

Choice C Reason:
Simply explaining that others eat the same food and feel safe may not be effective for a client experiencing delusions. Delusions are fixed beliefs that are not easily changed by logical explanations or evidence to the contrary.

Choice D Reason:
Encouraging the client to discuss why someone would poison the food might validate the delusion and could reinforce the false belief. It’s important to acknowledge the client’s feelings without supporting the delusional content.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:
Telling the client to call their boss and ask for their job back may not be the most supportive response. It could add stress by suggesting immediate action when the client may not be in a position to address the issue effectively due to their hospitalization.

Choice B reason:
This response might come across as dismissive, implying that the client's concerns are not valid or important. It does not offer emotional support or acknowledge the client's feelings about the situation.

Choice C reason:
Questioning why the partner would share such upsetting news does not provide comfort or support to the client. It could potentially create additional stress by introducing doubts about the partner's intentions.

Choice D reason:
This empathetic response acknowledges the client's likely emotional reaction to the news. It validates the client's feelings without making assumptions or judgments about the situation, which is an important aspect of nurse-client communication.

A. Give the client some reading material about their upcoming surgery to help ease their mind. B. Suggest that the client take a walk around the unit. C. Refer the client to the pastoral care team. D. Speak with the client and ask him to describe what they are feeling.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:
Providing reading material about the surgery can be informative, but it may not be the best approach for someone who is already very nervous. It could potentially increase anxiety if the information is overwhelming or if the client misinterprets the material.

Choice B reason:
Suggesting a walk could serve as a distraction and help to calm the client's nerves. However, it might not address the underlying anxiety about the surgery itself. It's a temporary measure that doesn't offer emotional support or address the client's immediate concerns.

Choice C reason:
Referring the client to the pastoral care team could be beneficial if the client is seeking spiritual support or comfort. However, this should be based on the client's personal preferences and beliefs, and it may not be the most direct way to address the client's stated nervousness.

Choice D reason:
Engaging the client in a conversation about their feelings provides an opportunity for emotional support and can help the nurse understand the client's specific fears. This approach can lead to a more personalized care plan to alleviate anxiety.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is caring for a client in an acute mental health unit. The client states, “I believe my food is poisoned.” Which of the following should be an appropriate action by the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is hospitalized and says to the nurse, "My partner called and told me my boss hired someone to take my place." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is about to undergo open-heart surgery. The client states that he is very nervous about the surgery. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is discussing culturally competent care at a nursing staff inservice. Which of the following information should the nurse include when discussing clients' cultures?

Two clients are in the garden disagreeing on which plant should go in the corner. One client says to the other, "I would really like to plant the sunflower." The nurse recognizes this as which form of communication response pattern?

A nurse in a mental health facility is caring for a client who is upset about the loss of privileges due to repetitive negative behavior. Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates the effective use of assertive communication?

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with severe manifestations of schizophrenia and is prescribed haloperidol (Haldol) PRN for agitation. The nurse should recognize which of the following as adverse effects of haloperidol (Haldol)?

A nurse working in a mental health facility is utilizing milieu therapy to provide a therapeutic environment for their clients. Which of the following steps of the nursing process is the nurse demonstrating?

A nurse is caring for a hospitalized client who tells lies about other clients. The other clients on the unit frequently complain to the nursing staff about the client's disruptive behaviors. Which of the following initial actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is leading a group therapy session for clients who are newly diagnosed with cancer. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

A nurse is developing a care plan for a newly admitted client who has schizophrenia and experiences frequent hallucinations and paranoid delusions. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?