A nurse is caring for a patient who frequently tries to remove his IV catheter. A family member asks the nurse to apply restraints.
What should the nurse’s response be?

An abnormal absolute neutrophil count in a preschooler should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that play a key role in the body’s immune response. An abnormal count could indicate an infection, inflammation, or other serious health conditions.

Choice A rationale

Spending time with the patient is a therapeutic nursing approach when caring for a patient hospitalized for the treatment of severe depression. This approach shows the patient that they

are not alone and that their feelings are important. It can help build trust and rapport, which are essential for effective therapeutic communication and intervention.

Choice B rationale

Offering the patient choices of activities can be beneficial as it can provide a sense of control and improve mood. However, this approach should be used judiciously as the patient’s energy levels and interest in activities may be low due to depression.

Choice C rationale

Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient is an important aspect of care. However, this is a broad approach and involves more than just spending time with the patient. It includes building trust, maintaining confidentiality, and providing empathetic and nonjudgmental care.

Choice D rationale

Exploring the truth of the patient’s statements can be part of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a common treatment for depression. However, this is usually done by a trained therapist and not by a nurse providing general care.