Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 15
The nurse reviews the activity schedule for the day and plans which activity for the manic client?
A. Brown-bag luncheon and book review
B. Tetherball
C. Paint-by-number activity
D. Deep breathing and progressive relaxation group
Correct Answer: B. Tetherball
A person who is experiencing mania is overactive and full of energy, lacks concentration, and has poor impulse control. The client needs an activity that will allow the use of excess energy yet not endanger others during the process. Tetherball is an exercise that uses the large muscle groups of the body and is a great way to expand the increased energy that the client is experiencing.
Option A: Decreasing environmental stimulation may assist the client to relax; the nurse must provide a quiet environment without noise, television, and other distractions; finger foods or things the client can eat while moving around are the best options to improve nutrition.
Option C: The nurse can direct their need for movement into socially acceptable, large motor activities such as arranging chairs for a community meeting or walking. Clients with mania have short attention spans, so the nurse uses simple, clear sentences when communicating; they may not be able to handle a lot of information at once, so the nurse breaks information into many small segments.
Option D: Deep breathing and progressive relaxation group are a relatively sedated activity that requires concentration, a quality that is lacking in the manic state. Such activities lead to increased frustration and anxiety for the client. A primary nursing responsibility is to provide a safe environment for the client and others; for clients who feel out of control, the nurse must establish external controls emphatically and nonjudgmentally.