The nurse is caring for a patient who appears anxious and is pacing the room and clenching his fists. What action best demonstrates the core concept of effective intervention for this patient?

Question

1. Administering a medication to the patient
2. Deciding to promptly isolate the patient from others
3. Assessing the patient's perception of his level of anxiety
4. Demonstrating therapeutic communication with the patient

Answer 1

Answer: 4
Explanation: The patient in the scenario is displaying escalating anxiety, which may lead to aggression and violence. Interventions for a patient who is displaying anxiety, frustration, anger, and aggression are based on the core principle of therapeutic communication. Pharmacological therapy may be used in the treatment of this patient; however, this is not the core concept of effective intervention for this patient. While prompt decision-making is appropriate for this patient, isolating the patient is not and does not represent the core concept of effective intervention for this patient. While it may be appropriate to assess the patient's perception of his level of anxiety, this does not represent the core concept of effective intervention for this patient.