As the nurse plans a teaching session on crisis management for ...

[KimWrice]

As the nurse plans a teaching session on crisis management for families with a member who is severely and persistently mentally ill, practical information should include, In the event of a cri-sis:
 
  1. always do as the mentally ill person commands.
  2. maintain continuous eye contact and touch whenever possible.
  3. point out that the mentally ill person's thinking is wrong.
  4. stay calm and speak softly.

Question 2

Members of the treatment team must determine whether they have a duty to warn the ex-spouse of a client with severe and persistent mental illness who has indicated that he heard voices telling him to hurt her as much as she hurt me.
 
  As they weigh the problem, the team members identify which of the following factors as an in-dication of an increased risk for violence?
  1. The fact that the client's group therapy is aimed at learning better impulse control
  2. The client's ongoing refusal to take psychotropic medications
  3. Absence of command hallucinations
  4. Regular attendance at AA meetings

[karmakat49]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 4
Remaining calm allows the family member to think clearly about what is to be done. It also helps calm the client. Anxiety is transmissible, and anxiety of the family member will increase the anx-iety experienced by the client and contribute to escalation of the crisis. Speaking softly but clear-ly and using simple sentences enhances the sense of calmness. The other options are likely to contribute to escalation of the crisis.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 2
Risk for violence is increased when the severely and persistently mentally ill client refuses psy-chotropic medications. Other risk factors include experiencing command hallucinations and sub-stance abuse (thus options 3 and 4 are incorrect). Option 1 would reduce risk (as long as therapy is effective).