a patient with agoraphobia has difficulty leaving their home which nursing intervention would be most effective
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI LPN

ATI Mental Health Practice A

1. A patient with agoraphobia has difficulty leaving their home. Which nursing intervention would be most effective?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the patient to make small, gradual steps outside the home is the most effective nursing intervention for agoraphobia. This approach helps the patient confront their fear gradually and build confidence in managing their symptoms. By taking small steps, the patient can start to expand their comfort zone and reduce anxiety associated with leaving their home, ultimately aiding in their recovery and increasing their independence. Choices B, C, and D are not as effective as choice A. Advising the patient to avoid crowded places does not address the underlying issue of agoraphobia. Suggesting that the patient focus on their breathing when anxious may help manage immediate symptoms but does not address the fear of leaving home. Providing information about support groups is beneficial but may not directly address the patient's difficulty leaving their home.

2. Which intervention should a healthcare professional implement to help a patient with social anxiety disorder?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Teaching cognitive restructuring techniques is an effective intervention for patients with social anxiety disorder. This approach helps individuals challenge and change their negative thought patterns, leading to improved coping mechanisms in social situations. Choice A, encouraging participation in group therapy sessions, may be overwhelming for individuals with social anxiety. Choice B, suggesting relaxation techniques, may offer short-term relief but does not address the underlying cognitive distortions. Choice C, advising avoidance of social situations, reinforces avoidance behaviors and does not promote long-term improvement in managing social anxiety.

3. When caring for a patient with dissociative identity disorder, which nursing intervention is a priority?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for a patient with dissociative identity disorder, the priority nursing intervention is to monitor for signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation. Ensuring patient safety is crucial, as individuals with this disorder may be at increased risk of self-harm or suicidal behaviors. Providing education about the condition is beneficial but ensuring immediate safety takes precedence. Encouraging the patient to recall traumatic events can be detrimental and should be done cautiously under professional guidance. While helping the patient develop a strong sense of identity is important in the long term, it is not the immediate priority when safety is a concern.

4. In an acute mental health facility, a nurse is communicating with a client. The client states, “I can’t sleep. I stay up all night.” The nurse responds, “You are having difficulty sleeping?” Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques is the nurse demonstrating?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse is using the restating technique, where the nurse paraphrases or repeats the main idea expressed by the client to show understanding and encourage further communication. Restating helps clarify the client's message and fosters a therapeutic relationship. Choice A, offering general leads, involves encouraging the client to continue talking with nonverbal or minimal verbal prompts. Summarizing (Choice B) involves condensing and organizing the client's message. Focusing (Choice C) involves centering the conversation on a key element or topic.

5. April, a 10-year-old admitted to inpatient pediatric care, has been becoming increasingly agitated and losing control in the day room. Time-out has proven to be ineffective for April to engage in self-reflection. April’s mother mentions using time-out up to 20 times a day. The nurse acknowledges that:

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The scenario describes how April's behavior is not improving with the frequent use of time-out, indicating that it is no longer an effective intervention. When a strategy such as time-out loses its effectiveness due to overuse, it is crucial to explore alternative therapeutic measures to address the underlying issues effectively.

Similar Questions

A community mental health nurse is planning care to address the issue of depression among older adult clients in the community. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement as a method of tertiary prevention?
When assessing a patient with major depressive disorder, which of the following is a common cognitive symptom?
Which nursing response provides accurate information to discuss with the female patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her support system?
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently washes their hands. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A patient with social anxiety disorder is learning cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Which skill is most likely being taught?

Access More Features

ATI LPN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

ATI LPN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses