A nurse is assisting with the admission of an older adult client to an acute care facility. The client states that they are afraid to go to sleep, fearing they will not wake up. Which of the following is a therapeutic response the nurse should make?

The correct answer is choiced. "Describe your concerns about sleeping to me.".

Choice A rationale:

While offering frequent checks can provide some reassurance, it does not address the underlying fear the client is experiencing. It is more of a practical solution rather than a therapeutic one.

Choice B rationale:

Agreeing with the client’s fear without offering a solution or support can increase their anxiety. It is important to acknowledge their feelings but also to provide comfort and reassurance.

Choice C rationale:

Offering sleeping medication might help the client fall asleep, but it does not address the root cause of their fear. It is important to understand and address the client’s concerns directly.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the client to describe their concerns is a therapeutic approach that encourages them to express their fears.This allows the nurse to understand the client’s perspective and provide appropriate emotional support.

The correct answer is choice B. Client states, "I started to itch after taking that medication."

Choice A rationale:

"Client is itching from medication." This statement is not a comprehensive description of the situation and lacks specific information. It doesn't provide any context about when the itching occurred or the client's own observation.

Choice B rationale:

"Client states, 'I started to itch after taking that medication.'" This choice is the correct answer because it accurately documents the client's own statement about the itching and the timing in relation to taking the medication. It includes a direct quote, which helps in maintaining accurate and patient-centered documentation.

Choice C rationale:

"It appears that the client has a rash from the medication." This statement includes an assumption and subjective language ("It appears"), which can be misleading in documentation. It's essential to provide factual and objective information in medical records.

Choice D rationale:

"Rash from medication noted." This choice lacks detail and doesn't capture the client's perspective or the timing of the symptom. It's important to include the client's statement and the time frame in which the symptom occurred.