Psychiatric Assessment and Fundamentals Q 25
Linda is pacing the floor and appears extremely anxious. The duty nurse approaches in an attempt to alleviate Linda’s anxiety. The most therapeutic question by the nurse would be?
A. Would you like to watch TV?
B. Would you like me to talk with you?
C. Are you feeling upset now?
D. Ignore the client.
Correct Answer: B. Would you like me to talk with you?
The nurse’s presence may provide the client with support & a feeling of control. Maintain a calm, non-threatening manner while working with the client. Anxiety is contagious and may be transferred from health care provider to client or vice versa. The client develops a feeling of security in presence of a calm staff person. Remain with the client at all times when levels of anxiety are high (severe or panic); reassure the client of his or her safety and security. The client’s safety is an utmost priority. A highly anxious client should not be left alone as his anxiety will escalate.
Option A: Move the client to a quiet area with minimal stimuli such as a small room or seclusion area (dim lighting, few people, and so on.) Anxious behavior escalates by external stimuli. A smaller or secluded area enhances a sense of security as compared to a large area which can make the client feel lost and panicked.
Option C: Establish and maintain a trusting relationship by listening to the client; displaying warmth, answering questions directly, offering unconditional acceptance; being available, and respecting the client’s use of personal space. Therapeutic skills need to be directed toward putting the client at ease, because the nurse who is a stranger may pose a threat to the highly anxious client.
Option D: Stay with the patient during panic attacks. Use short, simple directions. During a panic attack, the patient needs reassurance that he is not dying and the symptoms will resolve spontaneously. In anxiety, the client’s ability to deal with abstractions or complexity is impaired.