A nurse is preparing to admit a 6-year-old with varicella to the pediatric unit.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Tell the client, “You seem to be very upset.”.

This is an example of a therapeutic communication technique that validates the client’s feelings and encourages them to express their emotions verbally rather than physically. It also shows empathy and respect for the client’s perspective.

Choice A is wrong because engaging the panic alarm is not the first action to take when interacting with an agitated client.

The nurse should first try to calm the client down by using verbal and nonverbal communication skills, such as maintaining eye contact, speaking in a calm and clear voice, and avoiding sudden movements or gestures.

Engaging the panic alarm should be done only if the client becomes violent or poses a threat to themselves or others.

Choice B is wrong because using a face shield with a mask when providing care to the client is not relevant to the situation.

This is a personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used to prevent exposure to infectious agents or body fluids, not to manage agitation.

Using a face shield with a mask may also increase the client’s anxiety or paranoia, as they may perceive it as a sign of hostility or fear.

Choice D is wrong because initiating seclusion protocol is not appropriate for a client who is agitated, pacing, and speaking loudly.

Seclusion is a restrictive intervention that involves isolating the client in a locked room to prevent harm to themselves or others.

It should be used only as a last resort when less restrictive measures have failed or are contraindicated, and only with a provider’s order and close monitoring.

Secluding an agitated client may escalate their behavior and violate their rights.

Normal ranges for agitation are not applicable, as agitation is not a quantifiable parameter.

However, some tools that can be used to assess agitation include the Richmond AgitationSedation Scale (RASS), which ranges from -5 (unarousable) to +4 (combative), and the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS), which ranges from 14 (no agitation) to 56 (severe agitation).

The correct answer is choice CDE.

Choice A rationale:

Eating fish for dinner at least twice per week is not specifically recommended for pancreatitis patients. A low-fat diet is generally advised, but the frequency of fish consumption is not a key point in discharge teaching.

Choice B rationale:

Limiting coffee intake is not a primary focus in pancreatitis discharge instructions. While caffeine can irritate the digestive system, the emphasis is more on avoiding alcohol and fatty foods.

Choice C rationale:

Eating small, frequent meals is recommended to avoid overloading the digestive system and to help manage symptoms of pancreatitis.

Choice D rationale:

Pale bowel movements can indicate a problem with bile flow, which is not a normal expectation for pancreatitis patients. This could suggest a complication that needs medical attention.

Choice E rationale:

Dark urine can be a sign of dehydration or liver issues, which should be reported to a healthcare provider as it may indicate a complication.