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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A registered nurse is preparing a client who has chronic anxiety for discharge from the psychiatric unit.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the client's discharge plan?
A. Identify anxiety-producing situations.
Chronic anxiety is a persistent feeling of unease, worry, or fear that can interfere with daily life. To manage chronic anxiety, the client needs to identify anxiety-producing situations that trigger their symptoms. This can help the client avoid or cope better with these situations. It is important to note that it is not always possible to eliminate stress and anxiety from daily life, so it is better to focus on managing it effectively.
B. Try to repress feelings of anxiety.
Trying to repress feelings of anxiety is not a helpful strategy and can make the client's symptoms worse in the long run. Repressing emotions can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and even physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension.
C. Eliminate stress and anxiety from daily life.
It is important to note that it is not always possible to eliminate stress and anxiety from daily life, so it is better to focus on managing it effectively.
D. Contact the crisis counselor once a week.
Contacting the crisis counselor once a week may be helpful for some clients, but it is not a standard recommendation for all clients with chronic anxiety. The discharge plan should include personalized recommendations that are tailored to the client's specific needs and circumstances.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Mental Health - Proctored Exam 2. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Chronic anxiety is a persistent feeling of unease, worry, or fear that can interfere with daily life. To manage chronic anxiety, the client needs to identify anxiety-producing situations that trigger their symptoms. This can help the client avoid or cope better with these situations. It is important to note that it is not always possible to eliminate stress and anxiety from daily life, so it is better to focus on managing it effectively.
Trying to repress feelings of anxiety is not a helpful strategy and can make the client's symptoms worse in the long run. Repressing emotions can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and even physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension.
Contacting the crisis counselor once a week may be helpful for some clients, but it is not a standard recommendation for all clients with chronic anxiety. The discharge plan should include personalized recommendations that are tailored to the client's specific needs and circumstances.
Similar Questions
A patient experiences an episode of severe anxiety. Of these medications in the patient's medical record. which is most appropriate to administer as an as-needed (PRN) anxiolytic medication?
Select one:
A. clonazepam (Klonopin)
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts quickly to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It is commonly used as a PRN medication for acute anxiety episodes.
B. amitriptyline (Elavil)
Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that is not typically used as an as-needed anxiolytic medication due to its slow onset of action and potential for side effects.
C. olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that can be used to treat anxiety in certain cases, but it is not typically used as a PRN medication for acute anxiety episodes.
D. escitalopram (Lexapro)
Escitalopram (Lexapro) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is not typically used as an as-needed anxiolytic medication due to its slow onset of action. It is usually taken on a daily basis to provide ongoing anxiety relief.
Full Explanation
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine medication that acts quickly to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It is commonly used as a PRN medication for acute anxiety episodes.
Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that is not typically used as an as-needed anxiolytic medication due to its slow onset of action and potential for side effects.
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that can be used to treat anxiety in certain cases, but it is not typically used as a PRN medication for acute anxiety episodes.
Escitalopram (Lexapro) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that is not typically used as an as-needed anxiolytic medication due to its slow onset of action. It is usually taken on a daily basis to provide ongoing anxiety relief.
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with end-stage liver cancer. Which of the following responses is an indication the client is in the denial phase of the grief process?
A. I need someone near me all the time, l am very tired.
B. The doctor has been so good to me. I know he has tried everything he can. It is just my time.
C. The doctor says only have a few months to live, but know he is exaggerating to get me to take my medication.
This statement shows that the client is not accepting the reality of their prognosis and is dismissing the doctor's professional opinion. Denial is a common stage in the grief process where individuals may refuse to believe or accept a difficult reality, often as a coping mechanism to avoid the pain and sadness of the situation. Options a, b, d, and e do not indicate denial and instead may suggest fatigue, acceptance, physical weakness, and anger or frustration, respectively.
D. Even though am not hurting right now, I don't feel like I have the energy to get out of bed.
Full Explanation
This statement shows that the client is not accepting the reality of their prognosis and is dismissing the doctor's professional opinion. Denial is a common stage in the grief process where individuals may refuse to believe or accept a difficult reality, often as a coping mechanism to avoid the pain and sadness of the situation. Options a, b, d, and e do not indicate denial and instead may suggest fatigue, acceptance, physical weakness, and anger or frustration, respectively.
A patient who is experiencing moderate anxiety says, "l feel undone." An appropriate response for the registered nurse who needs clarification would be:
Select one:
A. I’m not sure I understand. Please give me an example...
This response is appropriate because it seeks clarification and more information to help the nurse better understand the patient's statement. By asking for an example, the nurse can gain a better understanding of the patient's experience and identify appropriate interventions to help the patient manage their anxiety.
B. "Can you explain me everything again?"
Option b is not an appropriate response as it does not seek clarification and instead asks the patient to repeat themselves.
C. "Why do you feel like that? What would you like me to do to help you?"
Option c is partially appropriate but could be improved by asking more specific questions to help the patient articulate their feelings and needs.
D. You must get your feelings under control before we can continue."
Option d is not an appropriate response as it dismisses the patient's feelings and may cause the patient to feel unsupported and isolated.
Full Explanation
This response is appropriate because it seeks clarification and more information to help the nurse better understand the patient's statement. By asking for an example, the nurse can gain a better understanding of the patient's experience and identify appropriate interventions to help the patient manage their anxiety.
Option b is not an appropriate response as it does not seek clarification and instead asks the patient to repeat themselves.
Option c is partially appropriate but could be improved by asking more specific questions to help the patient articulate their feelings and needs.
Option d is not an appropriate response as it dismisses the patient's feelings and may cause the patient to feel unsupported and isolated.