The nurse is working with an adolescent client that is argumentative with staff and peers on the behavioral health unit. Which therapeutic response will be most beneficial for the client to decrease acting out behavior?
“If your behavior continues, we have no choice but to place you in seclusion."
"You have to take this medication to settle you down and stop your behavior."
“I don't know what set you off today but you have to get along with others."
“Let’s go to a quiet area and talk about what is upsetting you."
The Correct Answer is D
Explanation: This response demonstrates the use of therapeutic communication, specifically offering the client an opportunity to express their feelings and concerns in a non-confrontational manner. By suggesting a private and quiet area to talk to, the nurse provides a safe and supportive environment for the client to explore and process their emotions. This approach can help the client feel heard, validated, and understood, which may reduce their need to act out or engage in argumentative behaviors to express their feelings.
The other responses are not as effective or therapeutic:
A. Threatening the client with seclusion is an aggressive approach and may escalate the client's behavior or cause them to feel cornered and defensive, leading to further acting out.
B. Telling the client they have to take medication to stop their behavior does not address the underlying issues that may be causing their behavior. It can also come across as dismissive of the client's feelings and concerns.
C. Saying "I don't know what set you off today but you have to get along with others" may be perceived as dismissive and does not offer the client an opportunity to express their emotions or address their concerns.
In summary, offering a private space to talk and explore the client's feelings in a non-judgmental and supportive manner is the most beneficial therapeutic response to help the adolescent client decrease acting out behaviors and promote positive communication and coping skills.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Complicated grieving, also known as complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder, refers to a type of grief that is prolonged, intense and does not follow the typical trajectory of mourning. It can manifest differently in different individuals, but some common signs of complicated grieving include:
B. An adult who insisted for many years that the adult hated the adult's deceased parent: This could indicate unresolved emotional conflicts with the deceased parent, which may be contributing to complicated grief.
C. The parent of a child who died after having left the child in a car on a hot day: This situation involves feelings of guilt and responsibility, which can complicate the grieving process.
D. The grandchild of a soldier killed in war who visits the grave once a year on Memorial Day: This response is likely a normal grief response, as the person visits the grave once a year during Memorial Day, which is a common time for remembering and honoring deceased loved ones.
The following options are not necessarily indicative of complicated grieving:
A. A driver whose spouse and children all died as a result of his driving drunk: While this is undoubtedly a traumatic event, the description provided does not necessarily indicate complicated grieving specifically.
E. The spouse of a person who died 7 years ago and visits the grave several times a day: Visiting the grave several times a day might indicate a deep sense of loss, but it is not specific to complicated grieving and can vary depending on cultural practices and individual coping mechanisms.
It's essential to recognize that grief is a complex and individual process, and professional assessment and support are often required to identify and address complicated grieving in a person.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Using active listening techniques and providing a supportive and non-judgmental environment can promote the client's ability to express their feelings. Many clients facing end-stage illnesses, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, may experience a range of emotions and find it difficult to talk about their illness or impending loss of life. By being present, attentive, and using silence when appropriate, the nurse allows the client the space and time they need to process their thoughts and emotions and feel comfortable expressing their feelings when they are ready.
Incorrect:
Option A may come across as confrontational and judgmental, which can hinder the client's willingness to share their feelings.
Option C may be appropriate if the client requests spiritual or religious support, but it should not be assumed as the primary intervention for promoting emotional expression.
Option D can be seen as dismissive and insensitive to the client's emotional needs, and it may not be helpful in encouraging the client to open up about their feelings.
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