A home health nurse drives up to the house of her client, who has schizophrenia with manic episodes. The client is sitting on his front porch with a shotgun in his arms. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Stop the car in the client's driveway and call the authorities.
Honk the car horn to get the client's attention.
Calmly speak the client's name out of the car window.
Keep driving in a path that is going away from the client's house.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
Stop the car in the client’s driveway and call the authorities. This statement is wrong because stopping in the driveway could escalate the situation and put the nurse in immediate danger. The nurse should avoid any actions that might provoke the client or put herself in harm’s way.
Choice B reason:
Honk the car horn to get the client’s attention. This statement is wrong because honking the horn could startle the client, potentially leading to a violent reaction. Sudden loud noises can exacerbate agitation in individuals with schizophrenia.
Choice C reason:
Calmly speak the client’s name out of the car window. This statement is wrong because engaging with the client directly while they are armed is unsafe and could provoke aggression. The nurse should avoid direct interaction until the situation is secured.
Choice D reason:
Keep driving in a path that is going away from the client’s house. This is the correct action as it ensures the nurse’s safety by distancing herself from the potentially dangerous situation. Once at a safe distance, the nurse can contact the authorities for assistance.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Offering false reassurance occurs when a nurse or healthcare provider dismisses a patient's concerns with general comforting statements without addressing the reality of the situation or the patient's feelings. In this case, the nurse's response of "Don't worry, no one will harm your family" is an attempt to alleviate the patient's anxiety without acknowledging the patient's fear or providing a realistic plan to ensure the safety of the patient's family. This type of communication can undermine trust and prevent the patient from feeling heard and supported.
Choice B Reason:
Offering sympathy involves sharing feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. While the nurse's response may seem sympathetic, it does not directly express shared emotions or an understanding of the patient's distress. Therefore, it does not represent offering sympathy as a communication breakdown in this context.
Choice C Reason:
Providing a passive response would involve the nurse not actively engaging with the patient's concerns or failing to provide any response. Since the nurse in the scenario does respond to the patient's statement, this does not constitute a passive response.
Choice D Reason:
Showing disapproval would involve the nurse expressing judgment or criticism of the patient's feelings or actions. The nurse's response does not contain elements of judgment or criticism; rather, it is an attempt to reassure the patient, albeit falsely.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Taking away TV privileges and placing the client in seclusion could be perceived as punitive rather than therapeutic. It may escalate the situation and does not address the immediate need to ensure safety and de-escalate the aggression.
Choice B reason:
Stating that hitting others is unacceptable is a clear and direct way to address the behavior. It sets a firm boundary and communicates the expectations for behavior within the unit, which is essential in managing aggressive situation.
Choice C reason:
Saying that the behavior will disappoint the provider personalizes the issue and may not be effective in the moment. The focus should be on the immediate safety of all clients and the unacceptability of the behavior, rather than on the potential emotional response of the provider.
Choice D reason:
Asking why the client hit another client immediately after the incident may not be productive and could lead to further justification of the behavior or additional aggression. It's important to first address the behavior and ensure safety before exploring the reasons behind it.
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