A nurse is caring for a client who reports that they have been eliminating specific foods from their diet in order to “eat clean.” The nurse should identify that this is an indication of which of the following conditions?

Step 1: Determine the concentration of Heparin in units per mL. 25,000 units ÷ 250 mL = 100 units per mL Result: 100

Step 2: Determine the rate in mL per hour needed to deliver 500 units per hour. 500 units ÷ 100 units per mL = 5 mL per hour Result: 5 mL per hour

The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver at a rate of 5 mL per hour.

Choice A Reason:

Strong negative feelings interfere with assessment and judgment.

This statement is the most accurate explanation for why a nurse needs to be aware of their own feelings while working with a family experiencing domestic violence. Negative emotions such as anger, frustration, or sadness can cloud a nurse’s judgment and hinder their ability to objectively assess the situation. These feelings can lead to biased decision-making, which may compromise the quality of care provided to the victim. For instance, a nurse who feels anger towards the abuser might unconsciously project these feelings onto the victim, affecting their ability to offer unbiased support and intervention. Therefore, maintaining emotional awareness is crucial for ensuring accurate assessments and effective interventions.

Choice B Reason:

Awareness protects one’s own mental health.

While it is true that being aware of one’s feelings can help protect a nurse’s mental health, this statement does not directly address the impact of these feelings on the assessment and judgment process. Emotional awareness is important for self-care and preventing burnout, but the primary rationale for emotional awareness in the context of domestic violence is to ensure that the nurse can provide objective and effective care. Therefore, this choice is not as relevant to the specific question as choice A.

Choice C Reason:

Positive feelings promote the development of sympathy for clients.

Positive feelings such as empathy and compassion are important in nursing, but they can also lead to over-identification with the client, which may result in blurred professional boundaries. While sympathy can foster a supportive relationship, it is essential for nurses to maintain a balance between empathy and professional detachment to provide objective care. This statement does not fully capture the importance of emotional awareness in preventing negative feelings from interfering with assessment and judgment.

Choice D Reason:

Strong positive feelings lead to underinvolvement with the victim.

This statement is less accurate because strong positive feelings, such as empathy and compassion, are more likely to lead to over-involvement rather than underinvolvement. Over-involvement can result in blurred boundaries and difficulty maintaining professional objectivity. However, the primary concern in the context of domestic violence is the interference of negative feelings with assessment and judgment, making this choice less relevant to the question.