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The triggering phase is the initial stage of the aggression cycle where an event or stimulus provokes anger or frustration in the client. Examples include being denied a request, feeling disrespected, or experiencing internal stressors. At this stage, the client may begin to show early warning signs such as restlessness, irritability, or verbal complaints. However, in the scenario described, the client is already pacing with clenched fists and swearing, which indicates that the behavior has progressed beyond the initial trigger. Therefore, this phase does not best fit the situation.

The crisis phase is the peak of the aggression cycle where the client loses control and may engage in violent or destructive behavior. Physical aggression, assault, or self-harm can occur during this stage. Once the client reaches crisis, verbal interventions are often ineffective, and physical safety measures may be required. In the scenario, the client has not yet reached this level of aggression, so this phase is not the correct answer.

The recovery phase occurs after the crisis has subsided. The client gradually regains control, and physical and emotional tension decreases. During recovery, the client may appear exhausted, remorseful, or withdrawn. This phase is not applicable to the scenario because the client is still escalating and has not yet reached or passed through crisis.

Moving far away from the client may reduce immediate risk to the nurse, but it does not address the underlying hostility or prevent escalation. In fact, withdrawing completely can leave the client feeling abandoned, ignored, or misunderstood, which may worsen agitation. Therapeutic intervention requires maintaining safety while still engaging the client in a supportive manner.

Allowing the client to get their way reinforces maladaptive and potentially manipulative behavior. This approach undermines therapeutic boundaries and fails to teach the client healthier coping strategies. It may provide temporary relief but ultimately perpetuates aggression as a means of control.

Yelling at the client escalates tension and models aggressive communication. This approach increases the likelihood of physical aggression by challenging the client in a hostile manner. It also violates therapeutic communication principles, which emphasize calm, respectful, and non-confrontational interaction.

Regression refers to reverting to earlier, less mature behaviors when faced with stress. In this case, the client is not regressing but rather verbalizing awareness of anger, which is a more advanced coping skill.

Manipulation involves using behaviors to control or exploit others for personal gain. The client’s statement does not suggest manipulation but rather an honest expression of internal emotional state.

Controlling behavior implies exerting dominance over others. The client’s statement is not about controlling others but about acknowledging personal emotional escalation.

Not all victims of family violence become perpetrators. While some may repeat patterns, many break the cycle through resilience, therapy, or supportive environments. This statement is overly absolute and inaccurate.

Violence is not directly hereditary. While genetic predispositions may influence temperament, family violence is more strongly linked to learned behaviors and environmental factors.

Evidence shows family violence does have intergenerational transmission. Denying this ignores well-documented psychological and sociological findings.

Avoiding discussion invalidates the client’s experience and prevents therapeutic processing. Silence can reinforce shame and isolation.

Medication may reduce anxiety symptoms but does not address the trauma or its psychological impact. It is not the primary intervention for abuse history.

Suggesting the client has a role in perpetuating abuse is victim-blaming and unethical. Abuse is the responsibility of the perpetrator, not the victim.

Labeling the boyfriend as insecure minimizes the seriousness of abusive behaviors. Insecurity does not justify controlling and threatening conduct.

Suggesting the student is overreacting invalidates her concerns and ignores warning signs of abuse. This response is dismissive and unsafe.

While a restraining order may eventually be necessary, the situation described is still in the tension-building phase. Intervention at this stage focuses on recognition and prevention before escalation.

Saying symptoms are imaginary invalidates the client’s experience. Somatization involves real symptoms, though they are caused by psychological distress.

While somatization is not due to physical illness, telling the client they are “not sick” dismisses their suffering.

Suggesting wellness depends on “getting life in order” oversimplifies the condition and places blame on the client.

While stress can influence symptom severity, somatic symptom illness is not simply intermittent control. This explanation is incomplete and misleading.

Stating there is a physical cause misinforms the family. Somatic symptom illness is psychological in origin, not undetected physical disease.

Suggesting the client is fabricating symptoms is inaccurate and stigmatizing. The symptoms are real to the client, even if not physically caused.

Allowing the client to miss group therapy without addressing the underlying issue reinforces avoidance behavior. In psychiatric and therapeutic settings, avoidance can worsen maladaptive coping and hinder progress. While empathy is important, simply excusing the client does not promote therapeutic engagement or accountability.

This response is authoritarian and lacks empathy. Telling the client they "have to" attend because of a doctor’s order disregards the client’s autonomy and feelings. Such a directive can increase resistance, foster mistrust, and damage the therapeutic relationship. Effective communication requires collaboration, not coercion.

Denying the client’s expressed symptoms by stating they are "not really feeling nauseous" invalidates the client’s experience. This response is dismissive and can harm rapport. Even if somatic complaints are part of the illness, the nurse must avoid confrontation or invalidation, as this can exacerbate distress and reduce trust in care providers.

This statement reflects a misunderstanding. Stress cannot be avoided entirely in life, and believing one must avoid all stress is unrealistic. It suggests the client does not grasp the importance of developing adaptive coping strategies rather than avoidance.

This statement shows limited insight. Somatic symptom illness is chronic and often persists even when symptoms fluctuate. Believing one will return to their "old self" once symptoms disappear ignores the role of psychological factors and coping mechanisms in managing the illness.

This statement reflects partial understanding but is inaccurate. While stress contributes to symptoms, medications can still play a role in managing pain and associated conditions. Dismissing medication entirely shows a lack of balanced understanding of treatment options.