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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Advising the client to reschedule until committing to recovery may come across as dismissive and could discourage the client from making positive changes. It’s important to support any intention to improve rather than setting conditions that might lead to feelings of failure or frustration.

B) Supporting the client to list small behavioral changes needed is the best response. This approach empowers the client by encouraging them to take manageable steps toward their goals. Focusing on small changes can enhance the client's confidence and motivation, making the process of leading a healthier lifestyle more achievable.

C) Explaining the specific skills needed to prevent relapse is important, but it may be overwhelming for the client at this stage. The focus should be on fostering a sense of hope and readiness for change rather than diving immediately into complex relapse prevention strategies.

D) Providing teaching on the symptoms of substance use dependence might be relevant, but it may not directly support the client's desire for change. The client is expressing a wish to move forward, so it’s more beneficial to focus on positive actions rather than reiterating the challenges of dependence. Supporting behavioral change aligns better with the client’s expressed intentions.

A. Ask the client why she is so anxious. B. Administer a PRN sedative to help relieve anxiety. C. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills. D. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Asking the client why she is so anxious might seem like a valid approach to understand her feelings; however, at this moment, she may not be able to articulate her anxiety effectively. Instead of exploring the reasons for her anxiety right away, it's more important to provide immediate support.

B) Administering a PRN sedative can provide temporary relief for severe anxiety, but it should not be the first line of intervention during the admission process. Pharmacological intervention is important, but establishing a therapeutic relationship and using non-pharmacological approaches can be equally or more effective in the long term.

C) Assisting the client in developing alternative coping skills is a valuable intervention, but it may not be appropriate to initiate this process immediately during the admission phase when the client is experiencing acute anxiety. The client needs first to feel safe and stabilized.

D) Remaining calm and using a matter-of-fact approach is the most important intervention during the admission process. This approach helps create a safe environment and reassures the client. By modeling calmness, the nurse can help reduce the client’s anxiety levels and foster a sense of security, allowing for better engagement and assessment.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with opioid dependence makes a statement to the nurse about desiring to lead a healthier lifestyle by making changes in the next 2 weeks. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

During admission to the psychiatric unit, a female client is extremely anxious and expresses that she is worried about the sun coming up the next day. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement during the admission process?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

An employee with a history of hypertension, visits the employee clinic weekly for blood pressure checks. During the assessment the client reports being upset with coworkers and would like to shoot them. Which action should the nurse take first?

A female client admitted to the mental health unit starts to shout and scream at the nurse. Which is the best approach for the nurse to take?

The nurse is leading a group on the inpatient psychiatric unit. Which approach should the nurse use during the working phase of group development?

The occupational health nurse is working with a female employee who was just notified that her child was involved in a motor vehicle collision and taken to the hospital. The employee states, 1 can't believe this. What should I do? Which response is best for the nurse to provide in this crisis?