The nurse is caring for a patient who is hospitalized for bipolar disorder. The nurse finds the patient sitting in the corner of the room with the lights off, staring into space
Three hours later, the patient is still there. Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?
a. "Cheer up! Come on out and join us in a game!"
b. "What's the matter? Don't you know you should be in your group right now?"
c. "Come with me. I'd like you join our group for a while."
d. "You won't make any progress if you stay in your room all the time."
ANS: C
Saying "Come with me. I'd like you to join our group for a while," removes the patient from the situation and does not give him or her a choice. A is inappropriate. If the patient could cheer up, he or she would not be in the hospital. Asking what is the matter is also inappropriate—the patient does not likely know. Telling the patient he or she will not make any progress will cause feelings of guilt, which is not helpful.
You might also like to view...
Which statement describes functional nursing?
1. One nurse has responsibility for all the needs for three clients. 2. One nurse has responsibility for all the medications on the unit. 3. One nurse and one nursing assistant have responsibility for ten clients. 4. One charge nurse and one respiratory therapist have responsibility for all clients.
An older client is being screened for tuberculosis. The client questions why PPD testing is done twice. Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A) "The treatment for TB is 6 months of medication, and we want to make sure the first PPD was done correctly prior to starting the medication." B) "Different medication is used in the second PPD." C) "The first PPD was not interpreted in the correct time frame of 48 to 72 hours." D) "The second PPD provides a more accurate reading because the older person's immune system may be sluggish and not adequately react to the first exposure."
The primary goal in treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is to
1. promote ulcer healing. 2. prevent infection. 3. reduce gastric acid secretions. 4. decrease stomach pain.
An older adult patient has been admitted to a busy medical unit. To control environmental stimuli a nurse should:
A. leave the hospital room lights on. B. coordinate patient care activities. C. leave the widow curtains closed at all times. D. turn up pump and bed alarms so the patient can hear them.