Question

Difficulty: MediumCoping Mechanisms

A client who recently moved into an assisted living facility is found crying in their room, stating, "I just want to go back to my real house." Which actions by the practical nurse (PN) best support the client's coping process? Select all that apply.

  1. Sit quietly with the client to provide a supportive presence.Answer
  2. B
    Explain to the client that the move was necessary for their personal safety.
  3. Encourage the client to talk about their favorite memories from their previous home.Answer
  4. D
    Reassure the client that everyone feels this way at first and it will get better soon.
  5. E
    Ask the client why they are having such a difficult time adjusting to the new environment.
  6. Collaborate with the family to bring in personal items and photographs to decorate the room.Answer

Answer

The correct actions are to sit quietly to provide a supportive presence, encourage the client to talk about favorite memories, and collaborate with the family to bring in personal items.
Sitting quietly provides a therapeutic presence (offering self), which validates the client's feelings without forcing conversation. Encouraging the client to talk about favorite memories (reminiscence) promotes adaptive coping by validating their past identity and aiding in the emotional transition. Collaborating to bring in personal items helps the client establish a sense of control and familiarity, reducing transitional anxiety and supporting healthy psychological adaptation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's behavior and underlying psychosocial needs.
The client is experiencing grief and transitional stress related to leaving their home, indicating a need for emotional support and adaptive coping strategies.
Identifying the psychosocial stressor (loss of home/independence) is the first step in determining appropriate therapeutic nursing interventions.
2
Evaluate each nursing action against principles of therapeutic communication and coping support.
Offering presence, encouraging reminiscence, and personalizing the environment are therapeutic actions. Giving logical advice, asking 'why', and offering false reassurance are non-therapeutic communication blocks.
The PN must use evidence-based communication techniques to facilitate healthy emotional processing without invalidating or minimizing the client's feelings.

Key Concept

Facilitating adaptive coping and grieving through therapeutic presence, active listening, and environmental familiarization while avoiding communication blocks.
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