Family members awaiting the outcome of a suicide atempt are tearful. Which response by the Practical Nurse (PN) is therapeutic to the family at this time? * Select one answer

Choice A reason: Ineffective thermoregulation is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a problem with the body’s ability to maintain a normal temperature range. It can be caused by factors such as infection, inflammation, or environmental exposure. It can result in symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, or shivering. The client’s temperature of 102oF (38.9oC) suggests that they have ineffective thermoregulation, but it is not the highest priority nursing diagnosis, as it is not immediately life-threatening. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Decreased cardiac output is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a problem with the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It can be caused by factors such as arrhythmias, heart failure, or shock. It can result in symptoms such as hypotension, tachycardia, dyspnea, or oliguria. The client’s heart rate of 144 beats/minute and irregular suggests that they have decreased cardiac output, which is the highest priority nursing diagnosis, as it can lead to organ failure or death if not treated promptly. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice C reason: Ineffective breathing patern is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a problem with the rate, rhythm, depth, or quality of respirations. It can be caused by factors such as airway obstruction, lung disease, or anxiety. It can result in symptoms such as dyspnea, cyanosis, or hypoxia. The client’s respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute is within the normal range and does not indicate an ineffective breathing patern. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Ineffective renal tissue perfusion is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a problem with the blood flow to the kidneys. It can be caused by factors such as renal artery stenosis, dehydration, or sepsis. It can result in symptoms such as oliguria, hematuria, or azotemia. The client’s vital signs do not indicate an ineffective renal tissue perfusion, and there is no evidence of renal impairment or dysfunction. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice A reason: Providing open-ended questions and silence is a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Open-ended questions can invite the client to share their thoughts and feelings about food and eating, and can help the nurse to explore the client’s perception of reality and identify any distorted thinking. Silence can give the client time to process and respond, and can show respect and acceptance. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B reason: Focusing on self-disclosure of own food preferences is not a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Self-disclosure can be appropriate in some situations, but it should be used sparingly and only when it benefits the client. Focusing on the nurse’s own food preferences can be irrelevant, distracting, or imposing, and it can shift the atention away from the client’s needs and concerns. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C reason: Atempting to show empathy by suggesting reasons why the client may not want to eat is not a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Empathy is a valuable skill, but it should be based on understanding and reflecting the client’s feelings, not on assuming or guessing them. Suggesting reasons why the client may not want to eat can be inaccurate, patronizing, or discouraging, and it can reinforce the client’s resistance or mistrust. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Telling the client of the importance of eating is not a communication technique that can encourage the client to eat dinner. Telling or lecturing the client can be perceived as authoritative, judgmental, or condescending, and it can increase the client’s defensiveness or anxiety. It can also ignore the client’s perspective or experience, and fail to address the underlying causes of their disordered thinking. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.