A nurse is caring for a client who reports acute anxiety. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Encourage verbalization of feelings.
Provide an activity for diversion.
Remain with the client.
Have the client identify two coping skills.
The Correct Answer is C
If a client reports acute anxiety, the nurse's first priority should be to remain with the client. The nurse should provide a safe, supportive environment for the client and help the client feel less anxious. This can be accomplished by staying with the client, listening attentively to the client, and offering reassurance and support. Options A and D are appropriate actions to take when caring for a client with anxiety, but they are not the first priority.
Option B may be an appropriate intervention when caring for a client with anxiety, but it is not the first priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","E"]
Explanation
"I call a friend who makes me smile and laugh," and "I tense and release my muscles, starting with my feet." These are adaptive coping strategies that help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Calling a friend who makes you smile and laugh, for example, can help to distract from negative thoughts and promote positive emotions. Tense and release exercises can help to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation.
Choice A, "I sleep in in the mornings," is not an adaptive coping strategy because it doesn't address the source of stress and may actually lead to avoidance.
Choice B, "I isolate myself in my room for a few hours when things get overwhelming," is not adaptive because it promotes social withdrawal and avoidance.
Choice D, "I think about being on my favorite beach vacation," is not adaptive because it promotes avoidance and doesn't address the source of stress.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The client is easily startled by loud voices. Clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may exhibit hyperarousal symptoms, including exaggerated startle responses and hypervigilance. The client talking constantly about the traumatic experience is a possible finding in PTSD but not specific. The client is constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily is more associated with depression than PTSD. While the client may have satisfying personal relationships, it does not address the question of what finding to expect with PTSD, making choice C incorrect.
Reasons why the other choices are not answers:
Choice A, the client talking constantly about the traumatic experience, is a possible symptom of PTSD, but it is not specific to the disorder and may also indicate other disorders.
Choice B, the client being constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily, is more indicative of depression than PTSD and also does not address the question of finding expected with PTSD.
Choice C, the client reports satisfying personal relationships with family and close friends, does not address what finding is expected with PTSD, making it an incorrect answer.
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