What manifestations might a nurse at a walk-in mental health clinic recognize in a client experiencing severe anxiety?

Choice A Reason:

Having the client join a therapy group immediately after admission is not the most therapeutic action for someone experiencing panic-level anxiety. Group settings can be overwhelming and may exacerbate the client's anxiety. It is important to first stabilize the client's anxiety before introducing them to group therapy.

Choice B Reason:

Remaining with the client in his room for a while is the most therapeutic action. This approach provides a calming presence and helps the client feel safe and supported. It allows the nurse to assess the client's anxiety level and offer immediate reassurance. Being present with the client can help reduce feelings of isolation and panic, creating a more stable environment for the client to begin to calm down.

Choice C Reason:

Suggesting that the client rest in bed may not be effective for someone with panic-level anxiety. While rest is important, the client may be too anxious to relax or sleep. Without addressing the immediate anxiety, simply suggesting rest may not provide the necessary support the client needs at that moment.

Choice D Reason:

Medicating the client with a sedative should be considered only after other non-pharmacological interventions have been attempted. While sedatives can help reduce anxiety, they should not be the first line of action. It is important to try to calm the client through therapeutic presence and reassurance before resorting to medication.

Choice A Reason:

An internal crisis refers to a psychological conflict that arises within the individual, often related to unresolved issues from the past. This type of crisis is not typically triggered by external events but rather by internal struggles and can manifest as mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. In this scenario, the client's denial of the HIV diagnosis does not necessarily indicate an internal crisis but rather a reaction to a specific event.

Choice B Reason:

Maturational crises are associated with life transitions or developmental stages, such as adolescence, midlife, or retirement. These crises are part of normal growth and development. The client's situation does not fit this category, as it is not related to a natural stage of life but rather to the diagnosis of a health condition.

Choice C Reason:

A situational crisis occurs when an external event that is unexpected or unanticipated disrupts an individual's life. The diagnosis of HIV is a life-altering event that can lead to a situational crisis, as it presents a significant challenge to the client's sense of normalcy and can trigger a strong emotional response, such as denial.

Choice D Reason:

Adventitious crises are large-scale events that affect communities or societies, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or pandemics. These crises are not personal in nature and are not the result of an individual's life circumstances. The client's denial of his HIV diagnosis does not constitute an adventitious crisis.