A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety. When using clinical decision making, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Measure the client's manifestations using an anxiety rating scale.
Initiate a referral to a local support group.
Assist in finding alternative ways to cope.
Administer an antianxiety medication.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Measure the client's manifestations using an anxiety rating scale: This action is essential as the first step because it allows the nurse to accurately assess the severity of the client's anxiety. Understanding the level of anxiety helps in planning appropriate interventions and monitoring the effectiveness of any treatment provided. Accurate assessment is foundational in clinical decision making.
B) Initiate a referral to a local support group: While beneficial, referring the client to a support group should follow an initial assessment. Support groups can offer long-term benefits, but immediate needs and severity must be evaluated first.
C) Assist in finding alternative ways to cope: Helping the client develop coping strategies is an important intervention. However, before suggesting specific coping mechanisms, the nurse needs to understand the current level of anxiety and how it affects the client. This ensures that the coping strategies are appropriately tailored.
D) Administer an antianxiety medication: Administering medication can be crucial in managing severe anxiety, but this step should come after a thorough assessment. The nurse needs to determine if medication is necessary and what dosage might be appropriate, based on the anxiety rating scale and other assessment findings.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "Tilt the spirometer toward yourself so you can see the balls rise": Tilting the spirometer is not necessary and may affect its accuracy. The spirometer should be held in an upright position to ensure correct measurement of inhalation.
B) "Inhale deeply and hold each breath for a minimum of 10 seconds": Inhaling deeply is important, but holding each breath for 10 seconds is not a typical recommendation for using an incentive spirometer. The goal is to inhale deeply and slowly, without necessarily holding the breath for an extended period.
C) "Exhale before sealing your lips around the mouthpiece": Exhaling before using the spirometer is not recommended. The correct procedure involves inhaling deeply and slowly after sealing your lips around the mouthpiece to ensure accurate measurement and effective lung expansion.
D) "Use your incentive spirometer every 4 hours while you are awake": Frequent use of the incentive spirometer, often every hour while awake, is recommended to improve lung function and prevent complications such as atelectasis. Using it every 4 hours may not be sufficient for effective respiratory therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Reports intolerance to heat: Intolerance to heat is more commonly associated with conditions like hyperthyroidism rather than iron-deficiency anemia. Individuals with iron-deficiency anemia often experience fatigue and cold intolerance due to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
B) Develops bradycardia after eating: Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia usually causes an increased heart rate (tachycardia) as the body tries to compensate for reduced oxygen delivery.
C) Has a friction rub on auscultation: A friction rub is a sound heard on auscultation associated with pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, and is not a typical finding in iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia primarily affects the blood and does not usually cause inflammation of the heart lining.
D) Displays dyspnea while walking: Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a common symptom of iron-deficiency anemia, particularly with exertion. This occurs because the reduced hemoglobin levels result in decreased oxygen delivery to tissues, making physical activities more challenging and causing breathlessness.
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