A patient taking a benzodiazepine says to the nurse, "I really like this pill because if I just take an extra one when I get very anxious, I always feel a lot better.". What is the nurse's best response?

a. "That isn't the way the medication is to be taken. I think you need to talk to your doctor so something more effective can be prescribed for you.".
b. "Let's review the way you use this medication. Remember to try the coping measures that we discussed to help manage your nervousness.".
c. "You are not taking the medication as the doctor ordered. I think the doctor will be very concerned that you are abusing your medication.".
d. "You really shouldn't be adjusting your medication dosage like that. You need to take the medication only as it was originally prescribed by your physician.".
     

Ans: b. "Let's review the way you use this medication. Remember to try the coping measures that we discussed to help manage your nervousness.".

The patient seems to be using the medication first rather than trying more holistic ways of controlling the anxiety. It is the nurse's responsibility to teach complementary and alternative ways to cope with anxiety and stress as a lifetime measure rather than simply using a pill every time the patient identifies anxiety. Mild anxiety may help the individual adapt.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

The mother of a preschool child dies suddenly of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. What recommendation should the nurse make to the family regarding how to most therapeutically care for the child?

a. Take the child to the funeral even if he is frightened. b. Notify the physician immediately if the child shows signs of regression. c. Spend as much time as possible with the child. d. Provide distraction whenever the child begins to express feelings of sadness.

View
Nursing

A PHN is conducting an assessment of the community's health. Which of the following is being accomplished through this activity?

a. Define one problem that will be the focus for a year b. Assess a social network of interacting in-dividuals usually in a defined territory c. Minimize the effects of health risks and hazards d. Intervene at the population level by changing laws and regulations

View
Nursing

What is the first step in scale development?

A) Deciding on the type of scale B) Developing an item pool. C) Preliminary evaluation of the items D) Conceptualizing the construct

View
Nursing

The nurse explains to a client that the surgeon will perform a procedure that involves inserting a balloon-tipped catheter into a narrowed coronary artery to widen it. What is the term for this procedure?

A) Closed-heart surgery B) Heart valve replacement surgery C) Coronary artery bypass grafting D) Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

View
Nursing