A young-adult client is admitted to the psychiatric unit because of a recent suicide attempt. The client's spouse filled for divorce six months ago, the client lost a job three months ago, and the best friend moved to another city two weeks ago. Which intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?
Allow the client time alone to sort out any feelings.
Avoid discussing subjects that upset the client.
Encourage activities that allow the client to exert control over the client's environment.
Encourage the client to interact with persons who are recovering from depression.
The Correct Answer is C
A) Allowing the client time alone to sort out feelings may seem supportive, but isolation can be detrimental, especially for someone who has recently attempted suicide. Social withdrawal can exacerbate feelings of despair and hopelessness. Instead, encouraging engagement with others and structured activities is often more beneficial.
B) Avoiding discussions about subjects that upset the client can lead to avoidance coping and prevent the client from processing important emotions. While it’s important to be sensitive to triggers, avoiding difficult topics may hinder therapeutic progress. Open dialogue is essential for healing and understanding.
C) Encouraging activities that allow the client to exert control over their environment is an effective intervention. This approach helps rebuild a sense of agency and empowerment, which is crucial for clients who may feel helpless after experiencing significant losses. Engaging in structured activities can foster a sense of accomplishment and stability, which can be particularly beneficial for someone recovering from a suicide attempt.
D) Encouraging the client to interact with persons who are recovering from depression can provide valuable support and understanding; however, this may not be the most immediate intervention. The client may still be in a fragile state, and facilitating control through structured activities might be a more effective way to build confidence and a sense of community before introducing peer interactions.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Listening to what the client is saying can be important for understanding their perspective, but in this situation, the client's loud and wild behavior may be disruptive or alarming to others. Prioritizing safety is crucial.
B) Sitting in the chair next to the client could help establish rapport, but it does not address the immediate need to manage the disruptive behavior. The nurse must first ensure a safe environment for all clients.
C) Escorting the client to his room is the best initial action. This intervention helps to remove the client from the potentially stimulating environment of the day room, reducing the likelihood of escalation and providing a quieter space where the client can feel more secure and calm. It also minimizes disruption to other clients.
D) Administering a PRN sedative may be necessary if the behavior continues to escalate, but it should not be the first action taken. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as providing a safe space, should be prioritized before considering medication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Becoming the faculty sponsor for Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) is a proactive and constructive behavior that indicates the client is coping well with her anxiety related to the student’s death. This action demonstrates her ability to channel her grief into positive advocacy, suggesting that she is processing her emotions and seeking to create meaningful change, which is a strong indicator of healthy coping.
B) Describing alternatives to becoming depressed over the student’s death is a positive step, as it shows the client is engaging in cognitive strategies to manage her emotions. However, while this indicates some progress, it is less impactful than taking active steps to address the issue, like becoming involved in advocacy or community efforts.
C) Confronting her parents about the hurt she felt as a child of alcoholic parents can be a significant therapeutic step, but it may not directly relate to her current coping with the loss of her student. While this confrontation may contribute to her overall healing, it does not necessarily indicate coping specifically related to the anxiety from the recent event.
D) Signing a safety contract with the nurse indicates that there may still be significant concerns regarding self-harm or emotional distress. While this is an important safety measure, it suggests that the client is not yet fully coping well with her anxiety, as it implies she is still in a vulnerable state rather than demonstrating effective coping mechanisms.
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