A nurse is preparing to assess a client’s carotid arteries. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A Reason:

Going to bed at a different time each night can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, leading to poor sleep quality and increased stress levels. Consistent sleep schedules are crucial for maintaining good sleep hygiene and reducing stress. Regular sleep patterns help regulate the body’s internal clock, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being.

Choice B Reason:

Attending a support group each week can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of isolation, and offer practical advice for managing stress. Support groups create a sense of community and belonging, which can be very beneficial for mental health. Sharing experiences and coping strategies with others who are going through similar situations can help individuals feel understood and supported.

Choice C Reason:

Doing tasks oneself rather than delegating can lead to increased stress and burnout, especially if the workload is overwhelming. Effective stress management includes recognizing when to delegate tasks to others. Delegation helps distribute the workload, prevents burnout, and allows individuals to focus on more critical tasks. It also fosters teamwork and collaboration.

Choice D Reason:

Exercising for 1 hour each week is beneficial, but it may not be sufficient for effective stress management. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week for optimal health benefits. Regular physical activity helps reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall physical and mental health.

Choice A Reason:

Dissociation is a defense mechanism where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity. It often occurs in response to trauma or extreme stress, allowing the individual to distance themselves from the reality of the situation. In this case, the client is not showing signs of dissociation, such as feeling detached from reality or experiencing memory gaps. Instead, they are avoiding the reality of their partner’s condition.

Choice B Reason:

Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept the reality of a situation to avoid dealing with painful emotions. The client’s statement about planning a trip despite their partner’s terminal condition indicates that they are not acknowledging the severity of the situation. This refusal to accept reality helps them cope with the emotional distress associated with their partner’s impending death.

Choice C Reason:

Regression involves reverting to behaviors from an earlier stage of development when faced with stress. This might include actions like thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, or other childlike behaviors. The client’s statement does not indicate a return to earlier developmental behaviors but rather a refusal to accept the current reality.

Choice D Reason:

Displacement is a defense mechanism where negative emotions are redirected from their original source to a less threatening target. For example, someone might take out their frustration with their boss on a family member. In this scenario, the client is not redirecting their emotions but rather avoiding the reality of their partner’s condition.