A clinic nurse interviews a patient who reports fatigue, back pain, headaches, and sleep disturbances. The patient seems tense, then becomes reluctant to provide more information, and is in a hurry to leave. How can the nurse best serve the patient?
a. Explore the possibility of patient social isolation.
b. Have the patient fill out an abuse assessment screen.
c. Ask whether the patient has ever had psychiatric counseling.
d. Ask the patient to disrobe; then assess for signs of physical abuse.
ANS: B
In this situation, the nurse should consider the possibility that the patient is a victim of domestic violence. Although the patient is reluctant to discuss issues, he or she may be willing to fill out an abuse assessment screen, which would then open the door to discussion.
You might also like to view...
Home health nurses have some different nursing activities than those of community health nurses. Which of the following describes the home health nurse's activities?
1. Conducting health education classes in a senior citizens' common residence building 2. Conducting blood pressure screening on a regular basis at a local mall 3. Visiting and assessing the home care and further teaching needs of a recently discharged hospital patient 4. Acting as a nurse consultant to a chronic psychiatric ward in a state institution
The patient has been on antibiotic therapy every 4 hours for 4 days because of a respiratory infection. The patient feels he is better and has been increasingly missing his regular doses of the medication
As the nurse, you would advise the patient to: 1. take the regular doses to keep the correct level in the blood. 2. stop taking the medication. 3. take the medication at the same level with missed doses. 4. start taking the medication once a day.
A patient's labor has progressed so rapidly that a precipitous birth is occurring. The nurse should:
1. Go to the nurse's station and immediately call the physician. 2. Run to the delivery room for an emergency birth pack. 3. Stay with the patient and ask for auxiliary personnel for assistance. 4. Try to delay the delivery of the infant's head until the physician arrives.
. A client diagnosed with bulimia nervosa has been attending a mental health clinic for several months. Which factor should a nurse identify as an appropriate indicator of a positive client behavioral change?
A. The client gains 2 pounds in 1 week. B. The client focuses conversations on nutritious food. C. The client demonstrates healthy coping mechanisms that decrease anxiety. D. The client verbalizes an understanding of the etiology of the disorder.