The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing extreme sadness after the passing of a companion of 30 years. The client describes not being able to think of other things and finds it difficult to control emotions. Which action should the nurse take first?

Explore changes in life that have occurred after the loss.

Suggest the need for a psychiatric consultation.

Offer a referral to pastoral counseling.

Encourage attending a local support group.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:
Exploring changes in life that have occurred after the loss is the first action the nurse should take. This allows the nurse to assess the client's grief, identify specific stressors, and understand how the loss is impacting the client's daily life and emotional well-being. It provides valuable information for tailoring further interventions and support.

Choice B rationale:
Suggesting the need for a psychiatric consultation may be premature as the nurse should first assess the client's grief and coping mechanisms. Referral for psychiatric consultation should be considered if the client's emotional distress is severe, persistent, or significantly impacting their functioning.

Choice C rationale:
Offering a referral to pastoral counseling may be appropriate for some clients, but it should not be the first action. The nurse should assess the client's needs and preferences before making such a referral.

Choice D rationale:
Encouraging attendance at a local support group can be beneficial, but it should not be the initial step. The nurse should first assess the client's current emotional state and needs to determine the most appropriate interventions.

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Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"B"},"B":{"answers":"C"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"D"}}

Explanation

A. The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.

Defense Mechanism: Fantasy

Explanation: The client may be using fantasy as a way to escape from the painful reality of her situation. Discussing moving to a place like Hawaii, which may represent an idealized and stress-free environment, suggests a desire to avoid confronting the challenges and emotions associated with her current circumstances.

B. The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.

Defense Mechanism: Isolation

Explanation: Isolation, or emotional isolation, occurs when an individual separates emotions from the events or thoughts associated with them. The client's lack of emotional response when discussing rebuilding her house suggests that she may be isolating her feelings to avoid distress.

C. The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.

Defense Mechanism: Suppression

Explanation: Suppression involves the conscious effort to avoid thinking about distressing thoughts or memories. The client's statement that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital may indicate an attempt to suppress or avoid focusing on the traumatic event that led to her hospitalization.

D. The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.

Defense Mechanism: Denial

Explanation: Denial involves refusing to accept the reality of a situation, which can manifest as irrational fears or beliefs. The client's fear that the hospital will burn down may reflect a form of denial, as she might be projecting her fear of the collapse (a traumatic event) onto another catastrophic event, thereby avoiding dealing with her actual trauma.

Summary of Answers:

A. Fantasy - The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.
B. Isolation - The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.
C. Suppression - The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.
D. Denial - The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.

Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B"}

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Sinus tachycardia is not a cause, but a consequence of hyperkalemia.

Choice B rationale:
The client has a history of diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and end-stage renal disease, which are all risk factors for developing hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood). She also missed her scheduled dialysis session, which could have caused a buildup of potassium in her blood. Some of the signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, tingling sensation in arms and legs, and cardiac arrhythmias such as sinus tachycardia (a fast heart rate). The other options are not consistent with the client's data or condition.

Choice C rationale:
Hypermagnesemia can also cause muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias, but they are less likely in this scenario since magnesium is not affected by dialysis

Choice D rationale:
Hypokalemia can also cause muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias, but they is less likely in this scenario since potassium is usually elevated in ESRD.

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The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing extreme sadness after the passing of a companion of 30 years. The client describes not being able to think of other things and finds it difficult to control emotions. Which action should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"B"},"B":{"answers":"C"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"D"}}

Explanation

A. The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.

B. The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.

C. The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.

D. The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.

Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B"}

Explanation

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