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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse in an acute mental health facility observes a client having a panic atack. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?
A. Discuss the client's feelings prior to the panic atack.
Discuss the client's feelings prior to the panic atack. While discussing the client's feelings can be beneficial in addressing the underlying causes of anxiety, it may not be the most effective immediate intervention during a panic atack. The client's focus during a panic atack is typically on managing the physical symptoms and regaining control.
B. Encourage the use of positive self-talk strategies
Encourage the use of positive self-talk strategies. Positive self-talk can be helpful in managing anxiety in general, but during a panic atack, the individual may have difficulty engaging in positive self-talk due to the intensity of symptoms. Addressing the immediate physical symptoms is a priority before exploring coping strategies
C. Instruct the client to use abdominal breathing
When a client is experiencing a panic atack, the nurse's first priority is to help the client manage their symptoms and provide immediate relief. Instructing the client to use abdominal breathing is the most appropriate initial intervention.
D. Administer an anti-anxiety medication
Administer an anti-anxiety medication. Medication administration may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the first-line intervention for managing a panic atack. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as breathing techniques, should be implemented first. If the panic atack persists or worsens despite these interventions, medication may be considered.
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Full Explanation
c. Instruct the client to use abdominal breathing.
When a client is experiencing a panic atack, the nurse's first priority is to help the client manage their symptoms and provide immediate relief. Instructing the client to use abdominal breathing is the most appropriate initial intervention.
Explanation for the other options:
a. Discuss the client's feelings prior to the panic atack. While discussing the client's feelings can be beneficial in addressing the underlying causes of anxiety, it may not be the most effective immediate intervention during a panic atack. The client's focus during a panic atack is typically on managing the physical symptoms and regaining control.
b. Encourage the use of positive self-talk strategies. Positive self-talk can be helpful in managing anxiety in general, but during a panic atack, the individual may have difficulty engaging in positive self-talk due to the intensity of symptoms. Addressing the immediate physical symptoms is a priority before exploring coping strategies.
d. Administer an anti-anxiety medication. Medication administration may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the first-line intervention for managing a panic atack. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as breathing techniques, should be implemented first. If the panic atack persists or worsens despite these interventions, medication may be considered.
In summary, during a panic atack, the immediate focus should be on helping the client manage their symptoms. Instructing the client to use abdominal breathing can help promote relaxation and reduce the intensity of the panic atack.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for digoxin to treat heart failure.
Which of the following should the nurse include as an expected effect of this medication?
A. Increased heart rate.
Is not an expected effect of digoxin. Digoxin may actually decrease heart rate by exerting a negative chronotropic effect.
B. Increased cardiac output.
The nurse should include increased cardiac output as an expected effect of digoxin when reinforcing teaching with the client. Digoxin is a positive inotropic medication that strengthens the force of contraction of the heart, resulting in increased cardiac output.
C. Decreased urinary output.
Is not an expected effect of digoxin. In fact, digoxin does not directly affect urinary output.
D. Decreased potassium level.
Is not an expected effect of digoxin. However, digoxin can increase the risk of hypokalemia, so it is important to monitor the client's potassium levels while on the medication.
Full Explanation
The nurse should include increased cardiac output as an expected effect of digoxin when reinforcing teaching with the client. Digoxin is a positive inotropic medication that strengthens the force of contraction of the heart, resulting in increased cardiac output.
Option a, increased heart rate, is not an expected effect of digoxin. Digoxin may actually decrease heart rate by exerting a negative chronotropic effect.
Option c, decreased urinary output, is not an expected effect of digoxin. In fact, digoxin does not directly affect urinary output.
Option d, decreased potassium level, is not an expected effect of digoxin. However, digoxin can increase the risk of hypokalemia, so it is important to monitor the client's potassium levels while on the medication.
A nurse working on a mental health unit is meeting with a client who has been on the unit for 2 days. The nurse greets the client and asks, "What has been happening with you today?" Which of the following therapeutic techniques is the nurse using?
A. Giving broad openings
The nurse is using the therapeutic technique of giving broad openings. This technique encourages the client to freely express themselves and choose the focus of the conversation. By asking, "What has been happening with you today?" the nurse is inviting the client to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without imposing any specific topic or direction.
B. Focusing
Focusing: Focusing is a therapeutic technique where the nurse directs the conversation to a specific topic or issue. In this scenario, the nurse is not guiding the client's response toward a particular area of discussion.
C. Reflecting
Reflecting: Reflecting is a therapeutic technique where the nurse repeats or paraphrases the client's words or feelings to demonstrate understanding and encourage further exploration. The nurse's statement in this scenario does not involve reflecting the client's words or feelings.
D. Seeking clarification
Seeking clarification: Seeking clarification is a therapeutic technique used to obtain more specific information or clear up any confusion. The nurse's statement in this scenario does not involve seeking clarification from the client.
Full Explanation
a. Giving broad openings
The nurse is using the therapeutic technique of giving broad openings. This technique encourages the client to freely express themselves and choose the focus of the conversation. By asking, "What has been happening with you today?" the nurse is inviting the client to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without imposing any specific topic or direction.
Explanation for the other options:
b. Focusing: Focusing is a therapeutic technique where the nurse directs the conversation to a specific topic or issue. In this scenario, the nurse is not guiding the client's response toward a particular area of discussion.
c. Reflecting: Reflecting is a therapeutic technique where the nurse repeats or paraphrases the client's words or feelings to demonstrate understanding and encourage further exploration. The nurse's statement in this scenario does not involve reflecting the client's words or feelings.
d. Seeking clarification: Seeking clarification is a therapeutic technique used to obtain more specific information or clear up any confusion. The nurse's statement in this scenario does not involve seeking clarification from the client.
In summary, by using a broad opening, the nurse allows the client to choose the focus of the conversation
and encourages them to share their experiences and concerns.
A nurse and assistive personnel (AP) are caring for a client who requests a PRN pain medication. After the nurse administers the medication, which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the AP?
A. Document the client's respiratory rate in 1 hr.
After the nurse administers a PRN pain medication to a client, the nurse can assign the assistive personnel (AP) to document the client's respiratory rate in 1 hour. This is within the scope of practice of an AP.
B. Monitor the client for an allergic reaction for 30 min.
Monitoring the client for an allergic reaction is a nursing assessmentthat should be performed by the nurse.
C. Check the client's response to the medication in 1 hr.
Checking the client's response to the medicationis also a nursing assessment that should be performed by the nurse.
D. Evaluate the client for therapeutic effects in 30 min.
Evaluating the client for therapeutic effects is a nursing assessment that should be performed by the nurse.
Full Explanation
After the nurse administers a PRN pain medication to a client, the nurse can assign the assistive personnel (AP) to document the client's respiratory rate in 1 hour. This is within the scope of practice of an AP.
The other tasks are not appropriate for an AP to perform.
Monitoring the client for an allergic reaction and evaluating the client for therapeutic effects are both nursing assessments that should be performed by the nurse.
Checking the client's response to the medication is also a nursing assessment that should be performed by the nurse.