Author Question: A client on the mental health unit has agoraphobia and refuses to go to the dayroom for a scheduled ... (Read 57 times)

stevenposner · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A client on the mental health unit has agoraphobia and refuses to go to the dayroom for a scheduled unit activity. The nurse can best reduce the client's anxiety by which action?

1. Premedicate the client with a benzodiazepine.
2. Require the client to go but stay for only 10 minutes.
3. Reinforce that the client knows everyone else on the unit.
4. Offer to accompany the client and stay with her.

Question 2

The nurse should initially use which intervention to reduce anxiety in a client demonstrating severe anxiety?

1. Instruct the client to do deep-breathing exercises.
2. Ask the client to verbalize his feelings.
3. Allow the client to be alone in a quiet environment.
4. Encourage the client to identify the source of the anxiety.

chereeb · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 4

1. Medications should not be used when adaptive practices can be used to solve the problem.
2. Mandating the client attend an activity will not help with the fear.
3. Knowing others at the activity will not help with the fear.
4. Accompanying the client offers assurance that someone will be present to help if a severe anxiety or panic attack occurs.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1

1. During an acute attack of anxiety, the client should be stabilized. Deep breathing and relaxation are done initially to interrupt the autonomic anxiety response.
2. After the client is stabilized, verbalization of feelings would be appropriate.
3. The client should not be left alone during an acute episode of anxiety but monitored for indications of self-harm.
4. After the client is stabilized, discussion of the source of anxiety would be appropriate.