The nurse working in the ED of an urban hospital notifies the manager that there are several clients with mental health disorders still present in the ED that have been there over 48 hours. Which issue related to this phenomenon does the nurse discuss with the manager?

This definition highlights the importance of positive relationships, effective coping strategies, a positive self-concept, and emotional stability in determining mental health.

The others are incorrect:

1. It is not easy to determine if a person is mentally healthy or mentally ill: Assessing mental health and diagnosing mental illness requires a comprehensive evaluation by trained professionals. Mental health is a complex and multifaceted aspect of overall well-being that involves various factors, and determining someone's mental health status is not a simple or straightforward process.

2. Persons who engage in fantasies are mentally ill: Engaging in fantasies is not necessarily indicative of mental illness. Fantasies can be a normal part of human imagination and creativity. However, the context and intensity of fantasies, along with other psychological and behavioral indicators, would need to be considered in a comprehensive assessment to determine if there are any underlying mental health concerns.

3. Behavior that may be viewed as acceptable in one culture is always unacceptable in other cultures: Cultural norms and values vary across societies, and what may be deemed acceptable or unacceptable behavior can differ significantly. There is no

universal standard for judging the acceptability of behavior across all cultures. Cultural relativism recognizes that behaviors and norms should be understood within their cultural context.

A. “I can see you are anxious. Let's stop for a minute."This option interrupts the exposure process. In systematic desensitization, the goal is to continue exposure while employing relaxation techniques, so stopping would not promote the gradual reduction of anxiety.

B. “Use the deep breathing techniques we practiced yesterday."This statement encourages the client to utilize a relaxation technique (deep breathing) while facing their fear, which is the core of systematic desensitization. By practicing relaxation in the presence of the feared stimulus, the client learns to associate the stimulus with calmness rather than anxiety.

C. "What is the worst that will happen if you confront this fear?"This option uses a form of cognitive restructuring, which is more aligned with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) rather than systematic desensitization. This focuses on changing thought patterns rather than gradually exposing the person to their fear while inducing relaxation.

D. “Tell me how you are feeling right now."While it is important for the client to reflect on their feelings, this option does not promote relaxation or directly help the client manage their anxiety response during exposure. It focuses more on emotional processing rather than applying the desensitization technique.