The initial interpersonal strategy to help the client reduce ...

[luminitza]

The initial interpersonal strategy to help the client reduce strong emotion to a workable level involves
 
  a. talking the emotion through with someone.
  b. providing a neutral, accepting, interpersonal environment.
  c. taking action that might help the client come to terms with the emotional consequences.
  d. obtaining more information.

Question 2

Which of the following are strategies the nurse should use when dealing with an angry client? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Defuse hostility
  b. Avoid responding to a client's anger by getting angry
  c. Speak quickly and use a higher tone of voice
  d. Use empathy when communicating with the client
  e. Remain with the client

[javimendoza7]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The initial interpersonal strategy used to help clients reduce strong emotion to a workable level is to provide a neutral, accepting, interpersonal environment. The second step in defusing the strength of an emotion is to talk the emotion through with someone. The third phase is to take action. The specific needs expressed by the emotion suggest actions that might help the client come to terms with the consequences of the emotion. This responsibility might take the form of obtaining more information or of taking some concrete risks to change behaviors that sabotage the goals of the relationship.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, D
The nurse should defuse hostility by avoiding responding to a client's anger by becoming angry also. The nurse should use empathy in his or her communication. An angry client needs to have the nurse acknowledge both the issue and his or her feelings about that issue. Only then can the client begin to interact in a meaningful way. Empathy by the nurse may help defuse the situation. The nurse should deliberately begin to lower his or her voice and speak more slowly. When we get upset, we tend to speak quickly and use a higher tone of voice. If the nurse does the opposite, the client may begin to mimic him or her and thus calm down. The goal is to maintain safety while helping the client. Therefore, it may not always be appropriate to remain with the client because this may place the nurse in danger of physical harm. If the nurse feels in danger of physical harm, he or she should always maintain a space for safety and plan an exit.