A young adult female visits the mental health clinic complaining of diarrhea, headache, and muscle aches. She is afebrile, denies chills, and all laboratory findings are within normal limits. During the physical assessment, the client tells the nurse that her sister thinks she is neurotic and calls her a hypochondriac. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
Unless your sister has a medical education, ignore her comments.
I can hear that your sister's comments are overwhelming you.
Do you think it is possible that you might be a hypochondriac?
Besides your sister's comments, what in your life is troubling you?
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale: Ignoring comments about the sister's lack of medical education may not address the client's feelings and concerns. It is essential to explore the client's emotions.
Choice B rationale: Acknowledging that the sister's comments are overwhelming is supportive but may not actively address the client's self-perception.
Choice C rationale: Asking if the client thinks she might be a hypochondriac could be interpreted as judgmental and may not promote an open discussion about the client's concerns.
Choice D rationale: Asking about what is troubling the client, besides her sister's comments, encourages the client to express her feelings and provides an opportunity for the nurse to understand the client's perspective and concerns.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Remaining silent does not necessarily indicate disapproval; it is a therapeutic communication technique to allow the client to express feelings without interruption.
Choice B rationale: While the client may be experiencing sadness, the nurse's silence is not reflecting the client's emotions but rather providing space for the client to express their thoughts and feelings.
Choice C rationale: Silence, in this context, is therapeutic because it allows the client time and space to reflect on and explore their own thoughts and feelings. It promotes self-discovery and expression.
Choice D rationale: Respecting the client's loss is a general principle, but the specific therapeutic use of silence in this situation is to allow the client to process and express their emotions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Asking the client about recent substance use is essential in assessing potential intoxication or withdrawal, which could contribute to the client's confused state. However, performing a mental status exam is the most important action to take.
Choice B rationale: The most important action for the nurse to take is to perform a mental status exam. This will help the nurse to assess the client's level of consciousness, orientation, memory, attention, mood, affect, thought process, and judgment. The mental status exam will also help the nurse to identify any signs of psychosis, delirium, dementia, or other mental disorders that may explain the client's behavior. Choice C rationale: Assessing the client from head-to-toe is a general nursing action but does not address the immediate need related to potential substance use. Choice D rationale: Determining the number of previous hospitalizations is relevant but does not address the current concern of substance use contributing to confusion.
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