A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has schizophrenia and experiences paranoia with aggressive behavior.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend to be included in the plan of care?
Place the client in seclusion if she is experiencing visual hallucinations.
Minimize staff supervision of the client’s interactions with others.
Directly tell the client that delusions are not real.
Limit the client’s participation in group activities.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is D. Limit the client’s participation in group activities.
Explanation:
Clients with schizophrenia and paranoia may struggle in large group settings, where they could misinterpret interactions, feel threatened, or become agitated. Gradual integration into smaller, structured groups is typically recommended, rather than full exclusion, but limiting group participation can help reduce anxiety and prevent aggressive behaviors.
Why the other options are incorrect:
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A. Place the client in seclusion if she is experiencing visual hallucinations – Seclusion is only used if the client poses a danger to themselves or others. Experiencing hallucinations alone does not warrant seclusion.
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B. Minimize staff supervision of the client’s interactions with others – Increased supervision is necessary to ensure safety and monitor behavioral cues that may indicate escalating aggression.
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C. Directly tell the client that delusions are not real – Confronting delusions outright can lead to agitation. Instead, acknowledge the client’s feelings while gently redirecting toward reality-based interactions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D"]
Explanation
Choice C rationale:
Sodium level is a critical electrolyte that plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and blood pressure. Naltrexone, one of the medications the patient is taking, has the potential to cause hyponatremia (low sodium levels) as a side effect. Hyponatremia can manifest with various symptoms, including headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, and even coma in severe cases. Prompt recognition and management of hyponatremia are crucial to prevent serious complications.
Rationale for Immediate
Potential for Hyponatremia: Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, can interfere with the body's ability to regulate sodium levels, leading to hyponatremia.
Serious Consequences of Hyponatremia: Low sodium levels can disrupt vital bodily functions, potentially causing neurological symptoms, seizures, and even coma.
Need for Prompt Intervention: Early detection and correction of hyponatremia are essential to prevent adverse outcomes.
Monitoring and Management: The nurse should assess the patient's sodium level, monitor for signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, and initiate appropriate interventions as needed, such as fluid restriction or electrolyte replacement.
Choice D rationale:
Hepatitis Viral Study (HAA) results are essential for determining the patient's hepatitis A status. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that can cause significant illness. Fluoxetine, the other medication the patient is taking, can potentially cause liver damage in rare cases. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that the patient does not have hepatitis A before initiating or continuing Fluoxetine therapy.
Rationale for Immediate
Potential Liver Injury: Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has a rare but potential risk of hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
Hepatitis A Risk: Hepatitis A infection can further exacerbate liver injury, increasing the risk of complications.
Baseline Assessment: HAA results provide information about the patient's hepatitis A status, aiding in risk assessment and management decisions.
Monitoring and Precautions: If the patient tests positive for hepatitis A, the nurse should initiate appropriate precautions to prevent transmission and closely monitor liver function during Fluoxetine therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Providing strategies for redirecting violent behavior is a relevant intervention for individuals with borderline personality disorder, as they may exhibit impulsive and aggressive behaviors. However, it is not the priority in this situation. The immediate focus should be on ensuring the client's safety and preventing self-harm.
Strategies for redirecting violent behavior can be implemented once the client's safety is stabilized. These strategies might include:
De-escalation techniques
Distraction techniques
Time-outs
Setting clear boundaries and expectations
Teaching coping skills for managing anger and frustration Choice B rationale:
Exploring reasons for her behavior is important for understanding the underlying issues that contribute to the client's selfharming behaviors. However, it is not the priority in the initial phase of treatment. The focus should be on ensuring the client's immediate safety and preventing harm.
Once the client is stabilized, exploring the reasons for her behavior can be done through individual therapy, group therapy, or other therapeutic modalities. This exploration can help the client gain insight into her patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Choice C rationale:
Encouraging the client to talk about her feelings is a valuable therapeutic intervention, as it can help the client express and process emotions in a healthy way. However, it is not the priority in the context of borderline personality disorder, where the risk of self-harm is high.
Encouraging emotional expression can be beneficial once the client's safety is ensured and appropriate coping skills are in place. This can be done through individual therapy, journaling, or other expressive arts therapies.
Choice D rationale:
Protecting the client from self-harm behavior is the nurse's priority when working with a client who has borderline personality disorder. This is because individuals with this disorder have a high risk of engaging in self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, burning, or overdosing on medication.
It is important to implement various safety measures to protect the client, including:
Close observation and monitoring
Removal of potentially harmful objects from the environment
Clear communication of expectations and boundaries
Collaboration with the healthcare team to develop a comprehensive safety plan
Regular assessment of suicide risk
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