Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Anxiety Disorders Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Anxiety Disorders related questions and content

A client is scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and neck. Which action by the nurse would be most helpful in calming the anxious client?

  • A. Administer antianxiety medication.
  • B. Allow the client to express fears and concerns.
  • C. Discuss how others have survived the procedure.
  • D. Explain how the client can notify staff if anxiety increases.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Building trust and restoring comfort can be accomplished when the nurse allows the client to verbalize anxiety. Identifying the problem and exploring possible solutions may be helpful in decreasing anxiety. The physician may prescribe an antianxiety medication to the client prior to testing. Antianxiety drugs work but conversation is more immediate and safer. Knowing the client can call for assistance during the testing may be helpful in decreasing anxiety. But calling for assistance does not help the client in the moment. Discussion of other clients is not helpful in this situation.