A mental health nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer.
The client reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold everyone has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using which of the following defense mechanisms?

The correct answer is choice b. Moderate.

Choice A rationale: Severe anxiety is characterized by a significant reduction in the ability to perceive and process information. The individual may experience intense physical symptoms such as dizziness, hyperventilation, and a sense of impending doom. The client’s ability to focus is greatly diminished, and they may have difficulty functioning.

Choice B rationale: Moderate anxiety involves a heightened sense of awareness and a narrowing of the perceptual field. The individual may experience physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension. They can still focus and problem-solve but may need assistance. The client’s symptoms of chest pain, headache, and shortness of breath, along with their emotional distress, align with moderate anxiety.

Choice C rationale: Mild anxiety is associated with a slight increase in alertness and perception. The individual may feel restless and have minor physical symptoms like slight muscle tension. They can still function effectively and use coping mechanisms to manage their anxiety.

Choice D rationale: Panic level anxiety is the most severe form and involves a complete disruption of the ability to function. The individual may experience extreme physical symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, and a sense of losing control. They may be unable to communicate effectively or respond to their environment.

Each level of anxiety presents differently, and understanding these differences helps in providing appropriate care and interventions.

Choice A rationale: Communicating empathy for the client’s feelings to increase rapport is an important aspect of nursing care. It helps in building a therapeutic relationship with the client, which can facilitate better communication and cooperation during treatment. However, while this is a valuable intervention, it does not take priority over monitoring for adverse effects of refeeding in a client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who has begun to gain weight.

Choice B rationale: Helping the patient balance energy expenditure and caloric intake is a crucial part of the treatment plan for anorexia nervosa. This intervention aims to ensure that the client is receiving adequate nutrition for their body’s needs without excessive energy expenditure that could hinder weight gain. However, this intervention is not as immediate a priority as monitoring for refeeding syndrome, which can have severe and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Choice C rationale: Assessing for adverse effects of refeeding is the priority nursing intervention in this scenario. Refeeding syndrome is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when nutritional replenishment is initiated in severely malnourished clients, such as those with anorexia nervosa. It is characterized by metabolic alterations, including hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia. These alterations can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory failure, and neurological complications.

Therefore, early detection and management of refeeding syndrome are crucial.

Choice D rationale: Assessing for depression and anxiety during every shift assessment is an important part of psychiatric nursing care. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa also experience co-morbid psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Regular assessment can help detect any changes in the client’s mental status and prompt timely intervention. However, while this is an important aspect of care, it does not take priority over assessing for the adverse effects of refeeding.