HESI Mental Health 2023 Related

Review HESI Mental Health 2023 related questions and content

The nurse plans to help an 18-year-old female intellectually disabled client ambulate on the first postoperative day after an appendectomy. When the nurse tells the client it is time to get out of bed, the client becomes angry and tells the nurse, 'Get out of here! I'll get up when I'm ready!' Which response is best for the nurse to make?

  • A. Your healthcare provider has prescribed ambulation on the first postoperative day.
  • B. You must ambulate to avoid complications that could cause more discomfort than ambulating.
  • C. I know how you feel. You're angry about having to ambulate, but this will help you get well.
  • D. I'll be back in 30 minutes to help you get out of bed and walk around the room.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: (D) provides a 'cooling off' period, is firm, direct, non-threatening, and avoids arguing with the client. (A) is avoiding responsibility by referring to the healthcare provider. (B) is trying to reason with an intellectually disabled client and is threatening the client with 'complications.' (C) is telling the client how she feels (angry), and the nurse does not really 'know' how this client feels, unless the nurse is also intellectually disabled and has also just had an appendectomy.