A client has had a series of diagnostic tests, although he protests that nothing is wrong with him
except a chest cold that he "can't shake off." The diagnostic tests reveal a mass in the left upper lobe
of the client's lung.
He is scheduled to undergo a biopsy. When the nurse explains the procedure to
him, he seems to have difficulty grasping what she is saying and asks questions such as "What do
you mean I'm going to have surgery? What are they going to do?" His voice is tremulous. His
respirations are noticeably rapid at 28 breaths/min, and his pulse is 110 beats/min. The nurse should
assess the client's level of anxiety as
a. mild.
b. moderate.
c. severe.
d. panic.
ANS: B
Moderate anxiety causes the individual to grasp less information and reduces problem-solving
ability to a less-than-optimal level. Option A: Mild anxiety heightens attention and enhances
problem solving. Option C: Severe anxiety causes great reduction in the perceptual field. Option D:
Panic-level anxiety results in disorganized behavior.
You might also like to view...
While interacting with the family of a critically ill patient, the nurse suggests that the family must be feeling very anxious and perhaps angry. How does this nursing action benefit the family?
A) Removes the focus of the conversation from the patient B) Focusing on feelings helps the family avoid delayed grief and unhealthy coping C) Gives validation of need for psychological counseling D) Reduces family insistence for patient progress information
The nurse is aware that which of the following results when a decreased concentration of hydrogen ions occurs within body fluids?
a. They become acidic. b. They become alkaline. c. Carbon ions are retained. d. Oxygen ions are released into the blood.
Which of the following best describes the aspects central to the definition of community? (Select all that apply.)
a. Geographic boundaries at a point in time b. Whatever is most convenient for the nurse c. Patterns of disease found d. Persons who share common goals and interests e. Persons who band together to address a shared problem f. The name the people have given themselves
During the 1960s, civil libertarians argued that states should not be allowed to lock up a person who is mentally ill unless that person has broken the law. These ideas were inspired by ____________________
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word