As you work with C.B., you notice that she is extremely anxious. You had observed some anxiety yesterday, which you had attributed to the strange CCU environment, pain, and anticipation of the stenting procedure. The postprocedure test results showed that
You wonder what is wrong. She tells you that her heart attack occurred right in the middle of a move with her family
from her rural community to an even smaller and unfamiliar town some 500 miles away in a neighboring
state. She is dreading the move. Her husband "becomes angry easily and starts lashing out" toward her
and the children. She is afraid to move to a community where she will have no friends and family to support
her.
How can you help your patient? Evaluate the situation and describe possible interventions.
The reasons for C.B.'s anxiety are much more complicated than you had thought. You need to decide
whether you have the experience and background to help her or whether you should involve
another member of the interdisciplinary team. Possible actions:
• Support the patient with your presence and active listening. Assure her that she is doing well
physically.
• If spousal abuse is involved or suspected, a social worker or psychiatric nurse specialist who
specializes in abuse would be an important resource.
• If child abuse is involved, you have an absolute ethical and, in most states, legal obligation
to report the abuse to the authorities. C.B. should be given the number of a "safe house" or a
community resource.
• It may be wise to obtain a medical order for a consultation about domestic violence.
• If her children are being abused, she should understand that this might involve child protective
services.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is caring for an older adult client with cholecystitis. The client has been admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing and pain control. Which nursing diagnosis would be a priority for this client?
A) Anxiety B) Risk for Infection C) Impaired Comfort D) Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
The nurse caring for a patient with a personality disorder is conducting a safety assessment. Why is a safety assessment so important for the patient with a personality disorder?
1. Fall injuries from antipsychotic medications are common. 2. Patients with personality disorders lack safety awareness. 3. Self-injurious behaviors and suicide are common. 4. Patients with personality disorders are unable to make safe decisions.
The nurse is admitting a patient who sustained a traumatic brain injury and who is now deeply sedated. The nurse would anticipate managing which mode of ventilation during this patient's initial care?
1. Pressure support ventilation 2. Assist-control ventilation 3. Pressure support ventilation (PSV) 4. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV)
Nursing interventions are selected based on an understanding of scientific principle, psychosocial responses, or developmental theories
Indicate whether the statement is true or false