A nurse is caring for a client whose spouse recently died. The client is newly diagnosed with diabetes. The client is tearful during a diabetic teaching session with the nurse, and states "You can't possibly understand what I'm going through." Which of the following responses is the most therapeutic for the nurse make?

"I might not share your exact situation, but I do know what people go through when they deal with a loss."

"It takes a long time to get over the loss of a loved one".

"Why don't you try something to take your mind off your troubles?

"You are correct. Could you describe what you are feeling?"

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

D. This response validates the client's feelings without making assumptions, allows the client to share more about their experience, and fosters a supportive environment. It's important for healthcare professionals to create a space where clients feel heard and understood, especially during times of grief and new diagnoses, which can be overwhelming.
A. It acknowledges the client's feelings while also expressing the nurse's understanding of the grieving process. It reassures the client that they are not alone in their experiences, even if the nurse hasn't experienced the exact situation. However, telling the client that you know what they are going through may not make them feel understood.
B. While this response acknowledges the client's grief, it may come across as minimizing or dismissive of their current emotional distress related to their diabetes diagnosis. It focuses solely on the loss of the spouse and doesn't address the client's immediate concerns about managing their newly diagnosed condition. Therefore, it may not be the most therapeutic response in this situation.
C. This response might unintentionally invalidate the client's feelings by suggesting they should distract themselves from their grief and diabetes diagnosis. It could be perceived as dismissive or insensitive, as it doesn't address the client's emotional needs or offer support. Additionally, suggesting distraction may not be helpful or appropriate for someone experiencing significant emotional distress.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Infiltration occurs when the intravenous solution leaks into the surrounding tissue instead of flowing into the vein. This can cause discomfort, swelling, and potential tissue damage. Stopping the infusion immediately helps prevent further infiltration and minimizes the risk of complications such as tissue necrosis or damage.
B. While documenting the findings is important for the client's medical record, it is not the first action to take when suspecting infiltration. Immediate intervention to stop the infusion and assess the site for complications takes precedence over documentation.
C. Flushing the catheter with normal saline may be necessary after stopping the infusion to ensure patency and clear any remaining solution from the catheter. However, this step should follow the immediate cessation of the infusion to prevent further infiltration.
D. Removing the catheter may be necessary if significant infiltration has occurred or if there are signs of tissue damage. However, this should be done after stopping the infusion to prevent further infiltration and should be based on the assessment findings and healthcare provider's instructions.

A. chronic stress changes genetic structure. B. physiologic responses that were originally adaptive become maladaptive over time. C. the patient experiences a deficit of available corticosteroids and catecholamines D. the patient loses psychologic energy while worrying about stress.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

B. This statement aligns with the concept of allostatic load, which refers to the cumulative physiological toll that chronic stress places on the body over time. Initially, the body's stress response system (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system) is designed to help individuals cope with acute stressors. However, when stress becomes chronic, these physiological responses can become dysregulated and maladaptive, leading to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, and mental health disorders.
A. Chronic stress has been associated with various changes in gene expression and epigenetic modifications. However, these changes typically occur over longer periods and are not the primary mechanism by which chronic stress leads to illness in most cases.
C. Chronic stress can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system, which are responsible for producing and regulating corticosteroids (such as cortisol) and catecholamines (such as adrenaline and noradrenaline). While acute stress typically results in increased production of these stress hormones, chronic stress can lead to desensitization and dysregulation of these systems, resulting in alterations in hormone levels and potential deficits in the availability of these stress mediators. However, deficits in corticosteroids and catecholamines are not the sole mechanism by which chronic stress leads to illness.
D. While chronic stress can certainly contribute to psychological fatigue and depletion of energy reserves, this is not the primary mechanism by which chronic stress leads to illness. The physiological responses to chronic stress, such as dysregulation of stress hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress, are more directly linked to the development of various illnesses.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse suspects that a client's intravenous solution has infiltrated. What action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse recognizes that chronic stress can lead to a variety of illnesses in a patient. This is primarily because:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who just had a subclavian central venous catheter inserted. Which symptom should the nurse recognize as setting a priority for this client's care?

A nurse discovers that the physician has prescribed a higher than recommended dose of a medication for a client. Which is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

A client has been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. The client states, "This cannot be happening to me." The nurse identifies that the client is in what stage of grieving process?

A nurse who works effectively with clients who are dying recognizes that

The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with an exacerbation of a progressive neurologic disease. The nurse recognizes that the client understands palliative care when the client states:

A client is to receive enteral nutrition. Which information should the nurse provide to the client and family? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

A nurse is administering medications to a client receiving tube feedings through a gastrostomy tube. The correct procedure for administration is to: (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

What is the most important nursing intervention to increase sleep quality in the acute care hospital setting?