A 22-year-old delivers a baby at home and calls the police who ...

[darbym82]

A 22-year-old delivers a baby at home and calls the police who bring her to the psychiatric unit for an evaluation. The nurse learns that the mother is unwilling to accept the pregnancy and denies that she ever delivered a baby.
 
  The nurse continues to work with the client and establishes a trusting relationship. How should the nurse proceed in order to help the client? 1. Avoid talking about babies or deliveries in the client's presence.
  2. Explore the protective functions of this behavior.
  3. Discuss adoption proceedings.
  4. Take the client to the nursery and show her the baby.

Question 2

The nurse has just taken a continuing education class on assertive communication techniques. Which response best demonstrates that the nurse understands assertive behavior?
 
  1. No, I cannot work for you on Sunday.
  2. Yes, they always ignore staff requests.
  3. It would be selfish to ask for time off.
  4. I will demand a change in my schedule.

[carojassy25]

Answer to Question 1

2
Rationale: Denial must be approached carefully as it serves to protect the client from overwhelming anxiety. Exploring the functions of denial will help the nurse understand the client's needs. Taking the client to the nursery would increase the client's anxiety as it is a direct challenge to her perception of reality. Avoiding talking about babies or deliveries would strengthen the client's pattern of denial. Discussion of adoption is inappropriate as the client's anxiety level is too high to make reasonable decisions that will affect her and her child's future.

Answer to Question 2

1
Rationale: The nurse who is assertive knows that one has the right to refuse a request without feeling guilty. Demanding a change demonstrates aggressive behavior. Stating it would be selfish demonstrates nonassertive behavior. Stating that they always ignore requests reflects aggressive behavior.

[darbym82]

Excellent

[softEldritch]

Wow, this really help