During staff debriefing after placing a patient with a history of ...

[OSWALD]

During staff debriefing after placing a patient with a history of violence into seclusion, a nurse new to the unit says, I think we acted prematurely. We didn't spend enough time trying to deescalate the situation..
 
  An appropriate response from the nurse manager would be: a. You're new here. Trust the staff to make decisions based on experience and sound, evidence-based practice..
  b. We're a team. We all need to be open to other possibilities, and I expect that we respect each other's viewpoints..
  c. I'd like to hear more specifically what you think we could have said or done to talk the patient down and avoid the need for seclusion..
  d. Professional nurses are familiar with a variety of communication interventions; maybe it's time we had an in-service to improve our communication skills..

Question 2

A psychiatric nurse working within a competence paradigm would emphasize which of the following when working with a patient with an anxiety disorder?
 
  a. Use of natural family support networks
  b. Prevention of negative patient outcomes
  c. The view of anxiety disorder as a disease
  d. Treatment of dysfunctional characteristics

[Smiles0805]

Answer to Question 1

C
The most therapeutic nursing communication is the one that addresses the new nurse's concerns more specifically. Often new staff members can offer a new perspective on an issue that will enrich unit operations and provide an expanded approach to effective clinical decision making.

Answer to Question 2

A
A competence paradigm promotes the use of natural support networks, focuses on growth-producing behaviors rather than treatment of problems or negative outcomes, and uses a health-based developmental model rather than a disease-based medical model.