A Hispanic woman is recovering from surgery on an inpatient unit when she receives word that her mother has passed away unexpectedly. She begins to shout unintelligibly and then complains of palpitations and a sense of heat in her chest and head
She suddenly begins to tremble and exhibit seizure-like motor behavior. Which of the following would be the most appropriate nursing response? a. Provide reassurance and emotional support while continuing to assess the patient.
b. Seek an order for supplemental oxygen to treat a suspected pulmonary embolism.
c. Report to the physician that the patient appears to be exhibiting a medication reaction.
d. Encourage the patient to calm down and to try to avoid reacting hysterically to her loss.
A
In Hispanic cultures, persons facing acute stressful events may experience an emotional response akin to a panic attack. This phenomena is called ateque de nervios ("attack of the nerves") and is characterized by dramatic shouting, trembling, seizure-like motor behaviors, and a sensation of heat that moves from the chest to the head. It is likely that the news of her mother's sudden death has precipitated this reaction, so support and reassurance would be appropriate nursing responses, along with further assessment to be certain that a physical health complication was not causing the symptoms noted. Insufficient data exist to support responding to suspected pulmonary emboli, medication, or other possible complications. It would be nontherapeutic to press a patient facing such a distressing event to be calm, and it would be culturally insensitive to characterize the patient's response as excessive or inappropriate in any way.
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