Author Question: A client living on the beachfront seeks help with an extreme fear of crossing bridges, which ... (Read 55 times)

xroflmao · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A client living on the beachfront seeks help with an extreme fear of crossing bridges, which interferes with daily life. A psychiatric nurse practitioner decides to try systematic desensitization.

Which explanation of this therapy should the nurse convey to the client? A. Using your imagination, we will attempt to achieve a state of relaxation that you can replicate when faced with crossing a bridge.
B. Because anxiety and relaxation are mutually exclusive states, we can attempt to substitute a relaxation response for the anxiety response.
C. Through a series of increasingly anxiety-provoking steps, we will gradually increase your tolerance to anxiety.
D. In one intense session, you will be exposed to a maximum level of anxiety that you will learn to tolerate.

Question 2

A college student is unable to take a final examination because of severe test anxiety. Instead of studying, the student relieves stress by attending a movie. Which priority nursing diagnosis should a campus nurse assign for this client?

A. Noncompliance R/T test taking
B. Ineffective role performance R/T helplessness
C. Altered coping R/T anxiety
D. Powerlessness R/T fear

memslove · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
The nurse should explain to the client that systematic desensitization exposes the client to a series of increasingly anxiety-provoking steps that will gradually increase anxiety tolerance. Systematic desensitization was introduced by Joseph Wolpe in 1958 and is based on behavioral conditioning principles.

Answer to Question 2

C
The priority nursing diagnosis for this client is altered coping R/T anxiety. The nurse should assist in implementing interventions that should improve the client's healthy coping skills and reduce anxiety.