A nurse is preparing to change the dressing on the lower leg of an older adult client who is in a wheelchair, and has a history of maladaptive coping skills. The client begins swearing at and verbally abusing the nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Explain to the client why her behavior is inappropriate.
Tell the client when he will return and leave the room.
Place wrist restraints on the client to prevent psychomotor agitation.
Move the client to a seclusion room.
The Correct Answer is B
By calmly informing the client when the nurse will return and then leaving the room, the nurse establishes clear boundaries and removes themselves from the situation to ensure their own safety. It allows the nurse to disengage from the abusive behavior and avoid escalating the situation further.
Let's review the other options and explain why they are not appropriate in this situation:
A. Explaining to the client why their behavior is inappropriate may not be effective in the moment when the client is already agitated and verbally abusive. Attempting to reason with or educate the client during this state could potentially escalate the situation or prolong the abusive behavior.
C. Placing wrist restraints on the client should only be done in exceptional circumstances when there is an imminent risk of harm to themselves or others. Verbal abuse, while unpleasant, does not necessarily warrant the use of restraints as a first-line intervention.
D. Moving the client to a seclusion room is also an extreme measure and should only be considered if the client's behavior poses a significant risk to themselves or others and less restrictive interventions have been exhausted. Verbal abuse alone would not typically warrant seclusion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Answer: (D) Suppression
Rationale:
A) Dissociation: Dissociation involves a disconnection from reality or the separation of thoughts, memories, or identity from conscious awareness. In this scenario, the client is not displaying any signs of disconnecting from reality or avoiding awareness of the situation through dissociation, making this defense mechanism unlikely.
B) Projection: Projection occurs when an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others. The client in this situation is not blaming others or attributing their actions to someone else, so projection is not the defense mechanism being demonstrated here.
C) Intellectualization: Intellectualization involves using reasoning or logic to avoid emotional stress or anxiety. While the client does mention logical-sounding plans about things working out next week, their overall response does not primarily reflect an avoidance of emotion through reasoning, so intellectualization is not the correct choice.
D) Suppression: Suppression is the conscious decision to delay paying attention to an emotion or need in order to cope with the present situation. The client acknowledges the stress of being fired but chooses to push aside their distress by stating that "everything will work out somehow next week," indicating they are consciously choosing to set aside their anxiety for the time being. This aligns with the concept of suppression.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This response reflects active listening and demonstrates empathy towards the client's feelings. It acknowledges the client's distress and encourages them to express their concerns and thoughts. By actively listening and showing genuine interest, the nurse can gather more information to assess the client's needs and determine the appropriate course of action.
Let's discuss why the other options are incorrect:
A. "Everything will be okay until morning. You can speak with your provider then." This response may dismiss or invalidate the client's current distress and fails to address their immediate concerns. It suggests waiting until morning without exploring the reasons behind the client's urgency.
C. "Go back to your room, and I'll try to get in touch with your provider in the morning." While the intention may be to offer assistance, this response does not address the client's emotional state or explore the reasons for their demand to see the provider. It may also not address the client's immediate needs and concerns.
D. "Why don't you wait until the morning? The provider will be available then." This response may come across as dismissive and may not acknowledge the client's current distress. It does not encourage the client to express their concerns or provide an opportunity for open communication.
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