A nurse in a mental health facility is caring for a client who becomes upset and breaks a chair when a visitor does not arrive. The client remains agitated following initial verbal attempts to calm him down. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?
Plan with the client for how he can better handle frustration.
Place the client in a monitored seclusion room until he is calm.
Offer the client an antianxiety medication.
Restrain the client to prevent injury to himself or others.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Planning with the client for how he can better handle frustration (option A) is a valuable intervention, but it may not be immediately effective in the midst of heightened agitation. It is better suited for a calmer, more reflective time.
B. Placing the client in a monitored seclusion room until he is calm (option B) is an option for managing extreme agitation, but it should be used cautiously and as a last resort. Offering medication and attempting verbal de-escalation are generally preferable initial steps.
C. Offer the client an antianxiety medication.
When dealing with a client who is agitated and potentially escalating to a more volatile state, offering an antianxiety medication can be a helpful and immediate intervention to manage acute distress. It can aid in calming the client down and create an environment where other therapeutic interventions can be more effectively implemented.
D. Restraining the client to prevent injury to himself or others (option D) is a highly invasive intervention and should only be considered when there is an imminent risk of harm to the client or others. It is generally not the first choice in managing agitation due to its potential negative impact on the therapeutic relationship and the client's well-being.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "What happened to you in the past to make you so desperate?" may be seen as judgmental and may not be as helpful in the immediate crisis. It assumes a specific cause for the desperation and might not address the current feelings or circumstances that are contributing to the suicidal thoughts.
B. "What will you accomplish by taking your life?"This question may be perceived as confrontational or dismissive of the client's feelings. It might not provide a clear understanding of the immediate risk or plan.
C. "Why do you feel depressed enough to end your life?" is a direct question that may put pressure on the client and might not be as effective in exploring their thoughts and feelings. It assumes a direct link between depression and suicidal thoughts without allowing for a more nuanced exploration.
D. "How will you carry out your plan?"This question is crucial because it helps assess the seriousness of the client's intent and the immediacy of the risk. Understanding the specifics of the plan can help the nurse evaluate the level of danger and take appropriate actions to ensure the client's safety.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Avoid foods that contain tyramine" is not relevant to fluoxetine. Tyramine restriction is a concern with certain medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), but not with SSRIs like fluoxetine.
B. "Plan to discontinue this medication as soon as your depression is relieved" is not advisable. Discontinuing an antidepressant abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms and may not allow for the full resolution of depressive symptoms. The decision to discontinue medication should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.
C. "Expect that your mood might take one to three weeks to begin improving" is a crucial piece of information to provide because fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), often takes a few weeks to start exerting its therapeutic effects. It's important for the client to understand that the full benefits of the medication may not be felt immediately.
D. "Stop taking this medication if weight loss or gain occurs" is not an appropriate instruction. Weight changes are potential side effects of fluoxetine, but the decision to continue or discontinue the medication should be based on consultation with a healthcare provider. Abruptly stopping medication without medical guidance can lead to withdrawal symptoms and is not recommended.
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