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A client tells a nurse, 'Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress to protect myself from my threatening roommate.' Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily using therapeutic communication to convince them to admit to hiding the knife
- B. Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and their roommate closely
- C. Tell the client that this must be reported to the health care team because it concerns the health and safety of the client and others
- D. Report the incident to the health care team but do not inform the client of the intention to do so
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse must prioritize the safety of the client and others. The client's disclosure of hiding a sharp knife under the mattress poses a significant risk. It is crucial for the nurse to inform the health care team about this situation to ensure immediate intervention and prevent any harm. Confidentiality is important in nursing care, but in cases where there is a clear threat to safety, the duty to protect overrides the duty of confidentiality. Reporting the incident to the health care team is essential to address the safety concerns and provide appropriate support and intervention for the client. Choices A and B are incorrect because while confidentiality is important, the immediate safety concern outweighs keeping the client's communication confidential or simply monitoring the situation. Choice D is incorrect as it does not involve informing the client, which can impact the therapeutic relationship and trust between the nurse and the client.
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A client is undergoing systematic desensitization for an extreme fear of elevators. Which of the following actions should be implemented with this form of therapy?
- A. Demonstrate riding in an elevator, then ask the client to imitate the behavior.
- B. Advise the client to say "stop" out loud every time they begin to feel an anxiety response related to an elevator.
- C. Gradually expose the client to an elevator while practicing relaxation techniques.
- D. Stay with the client in an elevator until the anxiety response diminishes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic desensitization is a type of therapy used to help individuals overcome phobias or anxieties. It involves gradually exposing the client to the feared object or situation, in this case, an elevator, while simultaneously practicing relaxation techniques. This process helps the client associate relaxation with the previously feared stimulus, gradually reducing anxiety levels over time. Choice A is incorrect as it involves imitation rather than gradual exposure. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on a verbal response rather than the systematic process of exposure and relaxation. Choice D is incorrect as it does not involve the systematic approach of gradually exposing the client while teaching relaxation techniques.
When caring for a client with anorexia nervosa, which of the following examples demonstrates the nurse's use of interpersonal communication?
- A. The nurse discusses the client's weight loss during a health care team meeting
- B. The nurse examines their own personal feelings about clients with anorexia nervosa
- C. The nurse asks the client about their personal body image perception
- D. The nurse presents an educational session about anorexia nervosa to a large group of adolescents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Interpersonal communication involves engaging in a conversation where the nurse asks the client about their personal body image perception. This demonstrates a direct interaction aimed at understanding the client's feelings and thoughts, which is essential in providing holistic care to individuals with anorexia nervosa. Choices A, B, and D do not directly involve the nurse-client interaction that characterizes interpersonal communication. A is more related to team communication, B focuses on the nurse's personal reflection, and D pertains to delivering educational content to a group rather than engaging in a one-on-one conversation with a client.
What principle about patient communication should guide a nurse's fear of 'saying the wrong thing' to a patient?
- A. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
- B. Patients are more interested in talking to you than listening to what you have to say, so they are not likely to be offended.
- C. Considering the patient's history, there is little chance that the comment will do any actual harm.
- D. Most people with a mental illness have, by necessity, developed a high tolerance for forgiveness.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Effective patient communication is guided by the principle that patients value genuine acceptance, respect, and concern from their caregivers. This approach helps to build trust and fosters effective communication, enhancing the nurse-patient relationship. Choice B is incorrect because patients value both talking and listening in effective communication. Choice C is incorrect because a nurse should always consider the impact of their words on the patient, regardless of the patient's history. Choice D is incorrect as it generalizes about people with mental illness and forgiveness, which is not directly relevant to patient communication.
A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway with another nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Notify the nurse manager
- B. Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
- C. Provide an in-service program about confidentiality
- D. Complete an incident report
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take first in this situation is to tell the newly licensed nurse to stop discussing the client's hallucinations with another nurse. Maintaining client confidentiality is a critical aspect of nursing practice. By addressing the behavior immediately, the nurse helps prevent the inappropriate sharing of sensitive information about a client. Choice A is not the first action to take because addressing the behavior directly is more immediate and can prevent further breaches of confidentiality. Choice C is not the priority at this moment as immediate action is required to address the current situation. Choice D, completing an incident report, should come after addressing the immediate issue and ensuring that the inappropriate behavior ceases.
A client is discussing free associations as a therapeutic tool with a nurse. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of this technique?
- A. "I will write down my dreams as soon as I wake up."
- B. "I might begin to associate my therapist with important people in my life."
- C. "I can learn to express myself in a nonaggressive manner."
- D. "I should say the first thing that comes to my mind."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Free association is a psychoanalytic technique where the client is encouraged to say the first thing that comes to their mind without censoring or filtering. This technique helps uncover unconscious thoughts and emotions. Choice D, "I should say the first thing that comes to my mind," indicates an understanding of free association as it aligns with the principle of allowing thoughts to flow freely without inhibition. Choices A, B, and C do not reflect an understanding of free association and its purpose, making them incorrect. A, focusing on writing down dreams, does not relate to the immediate expression of thoughts. B, associating the therapist with important people, and C, learning to express oneself nonaggressively, do not capture the essence of free association as a technique for exploring unconscious processes.