A nurse in an acute care mental health facility is participating in a medication education group. The leader of the group uses a laissez-faire leadership style. Which of the following actions should the nurse expect from the leader during the session?

A. Incorrect. Avoiding the issue by scheduling the nurses to have fewer shifts together might not address the underlying conflict and could lead to resentment.

B. Incorrect. To auscultate blood pressure accurately, it's essential to follow proper positioning and technique, which typically involves having the client's arm at heart level. Placing the arm above heart level can lead to falsely lower blood pressure readings.

C. Incorrect. While promising more equitable assignments is important, addressing the conflict directly and encouraging collaboration is a more proactive approach.

D. Using the palpatory method, the nurse can feel for the radial pulse while slowly deflating the blood pressure cuff. This helps estimate the systolic blood pressure when Korotkoff sounds are challenging to hear. It provides a rough estimate until clear sounds can be heard and ensures accurate blood pressure measurement.

Choice B rationale:

Teaching the client to tighten a muscle group, release the tension, and then move to the next one is a technique used in progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) PMR is a stress management technique that involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation. This method helps individuals become more aware of the sensations associated with muscle tension and relaxation, making it an effective strategy for managing anxiety and stress.

Choice A rationale:

Thinking about a positive outcome to a stressful situation is a cognitive-behavioral technique that can help shift the client's focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. While this technique can be beneficial, it does not specifically pertain to progressive relaxation as described in choice B.

Choice C rationale:

Picturing taking the stress and pushing it out of the feet is a visualization technique, which can be helpful for some individuals in managing stress. However, it is not a component of progressive relaxation as described in choice B.

Choice D rationale:

Focusing on a pleasant memory and expressing emotions in writing is a form of journaling or expressive writing, which can be a therapeutic technique for managing emotions and stress. While it can be a helpful strategy, it is not the same as progressive relaxation involving muscle tension and release.