Alzheimer’s Delirium and Dementia Q 29
Initial interventions for Marco with acute anxiety include all except which of the following?
A. Touching the client in an attempt to comfort him.
B. Approaching the client in a calm, confident manner.
C. Encouraging the client to verbalize feelings and concerns.
D. Providing the client with a safe, quiet, and private place.
Correct Answer: A. Touching the client in an attempt to comfort him
The emergency nurse must establish rapport and trust with the anxious client before using therapeutic touch. Touching an anxious client may actually increase anxiety. Converse using a simple language and brief statements. When experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, patients may be unable to understand anything more than simple, clear, and brief instruction.
Option B: Interact with the patient in a peaceful manner. The nurse or health care provider can transmit his or her own anxiety to the hypersensitive patient. The patient’s feeling of stability increases in a calm and non-threatening environment. Accept a patient’s defenses; do not dare, argue, or debate. If defenses are not threatened, the patient may feel secure and protected enough to look at behavior.
Option C: Reinforce a patient’s personal reaction to or expression of pain, discomfort, or threats to well-being (e.g., talking, crying, walking, other physical or nonverbal expressions). Talking or otherwise expressing feelings sometimes reduces anxiety. Allow the patient to talk about anxious feelings and examine anxiety-provoking situations if they are identifiable. Talking about anxiety-producing situations and anxious feelings can help the patient perceive the situation realistically and recognize factors leading to the anxious feelings.
Option D: Familiarize the patient with the environment and new experiences or people as needed. Awareness of the environment promotes comfort and may decrease anxiety experienced by the patient. Anxiety may intensify to a panic level if the patient feels threatened and unable to control environmental stimuli. Lessen sensory stimuli by keeping a quiet and peaceful environment; keep “threatening” equipment out of sight. Anxiety may intensify to a panic state with excessive conversation, noise, and equipment around the patient. increasing anxiety may become frightening to the patient and others.