An adolescent male who was arrested a month ago for gang-related activities has a court order to attend weekly group therapy sessions at the mental health clinic. Today his mother calls the clinic nurse to report that her son became angry last night and put his fist through a window. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
Advise the mother to call the police if violent behavior occurs again.
Refer the mother for psychiatric evaluation for anxiety and depression.
Reinforce the need for the adolescent to attend group therapy sessions.
Tell the mother to describe her feelings of helplessness to her son.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Advising the mother to call the police if violent behavior occurs again addresses the safety of the client and others and is a necessary step to ensure appropriate intervention.
B. Referring the mother for psychiatric evaluation is important but may not directly address the immediate safety concern related to the recent violent behavior.
C. Reinforcing the need for the adolescent to attend group therapy sessions is relevant, but the immediate focus should be on addressing the safety issue.
D. Telling the mother to describe her feelings may be helpful for therapeutic communication but may not be the most urgent intervention in response to the reported violent behavior.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Inquiring about the client’s support system may be important, but the immediate concern is the statement indicating a potential risk of harm.
B. Asking the client to repeat the comment may not be as effective as taking immediate action to prevent harm.
C. Stopping the client from leaving the ED is the priority to ensure the client's safety and prevent the potential act of self-harm.
D. Recording the statement in the client's chart is important but should be done after taking immediate action to address the potential risk.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Explain to the client that her behavior invades the rights of the nursing staff: This approach is confrontational and dismisses the client’s coping mechanism. It does not promote a therapeutic nurse-client relationship.
B. Teach the client strategies to control her obsessive-compulsive behavior: This is not the appropriate time for teaching behavioral strategies, especially when the client is experiencing stress related to an upcoming invasive procedure.
C. Ask the client to explain why she is keeping a detailed record of her nursing care: While this might offer insight, it can come across as intrusive or judgmental. It also shifts the focus away from emotional support.
D. Encourage the client to express her feelings regarding the upcoming procedure: Clients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder often rely on control and orderliness to manage anxiety. The nurse should recognize that the client’s behavior may be a coping mechanism for procedure-related stress. Encouraging expression of feelings promotes trust and addresses the underlying anxiety.
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