In assessing a client who has suffered domestic violence, the ...

[shenderson6]

In assessing a client who has suffered domestic violence, the nurse observes that the client is regressing back to childhood, is having difficulty trusting the nurse, is expressing rage and grief, and is talking about how unfair God has been and
 
  wondering why God has been so insensitive. Based on these observations, what would be the most appropriate plan of action for the nurse? 1. Suggest that the client join a survivor support group.
  2. Encourage the client to attend religious activities at the local church.
  3. Refer the client to a religious counselor.
  4. Explain to the client that God has his own reasons that most of us do not understand.

Question 2

A client requests vanilla pudding after a day of diagnostic tests and talking to doctors. The client remembers the client's mother always made vanilla pudding when the client was sick.
 
  Which types of coping mechanism is the client describing? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Using symbolic substitutes
  2. Privately thinking it through
  3. Seeking comfort
  4. Engaging in self-healing mind-body practices
  5. Talking it out

[Harbringer]

Answer to Question 1

3
Rationale: Religious counselors often understand the emotional issues surrounding abuse and violence, and are sensitive to the needs of survivors to work slowly through their spiritual struggles. Encouraging the client to attend religious activities does not address the issues of trust, rage, and grief, and minimizes their severity. Although a survivor support group can be helpful, the client at this phase requires specific, consistent, and ongoing professional assistance to work through those intense feelings. Stating that God has his own reasons is a personal opinion and has no therapeutic value.

Answer to Question 2

1,2,3
Rationale: Using symbolic substitutes. The fact that the client associates the vanilla pudding with feeling better' gives it a symbolic quality beyond the actual meaning of eating pudding.