HESI Mental Health 2023 Related

Review HESI Mental Health 2023 related questions and content

A young adult male with a history of substance abuse is admitted to the psychiatric unit for detoxification. He is agitated, sweating, and reports seeing bugs crawling on the walls. What is the priority nursing intervention?

  • A. Reassure the client that the bugs are not real.
  • B. Administer the prescribed benzodiazepine.
  • C. Place the client in a quiet, dark room.
  • D. Encourage the client to express his feelings.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the prescribed benzodiazepine. This intervention helps manage the client's agitation and hallucinations, which are common symptoms during detoxification from substances. Reassuring the client that the bugs are not real (Choice A) may not be effective in addressing the underlying causes of the hallucinations. Placing the client in a quiet, dark room (Choice C) may help reduce sensory stimulation but does not directly address the client's symptoms. Encouraging the client to express his feelings (Choice D) is important for therapeutic communication but may not be the priority when the client is experiencing severe agitation and hallucinations.