Question

Difficulty: EasyCoping Mechanisms

A practical nurse is caring for an older adult client who is tearful and reports feeling overwhelmed after moving into a long-term care facility. Which nursing actions are appropriate to support the client's coping? Select all that apply.

  1. Sit quietly with the client and allow time for them to cry and express their feelings.Answer
  2. B
    Tell the client, 'Don't worry, you will love living here once you settle in.'
  3. Ask the client to describe activities or routines that helped them relax when living at home.Answer
  4. D
    Advise the client to stop thinking about their previous home to prevent further sadness.
  5. Provide information about the facility's social events and offer to accompany the client to an activity.Answer

Answer

The correct actions are to sit quietly with the client, ask about previously effective relaxation activities, and provide information about social events with an offer of support.
Promoting adaptive coping involves validating the client's feelings through presence, assessing past successful coping strategies, and gently encouraging integration into the new environment without forcing it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's primary psychosocial need.
The client is experiencing situational stress and grief related to a major life transition.
Understanding the source of distress guides the selection of therapeutic interventions.
2
Evaluate each option for therapeutic versus non-therapeutic communication.
Sitting quietly, exploring past coping, and encouraging supported socialization are therapeutic. Giving advice and false reassurance are non-therapeutic communication blocks.
Practical nurses must use therapeutic communication to foster a safe environment and promote adaptive coping.

Key Concept

Therapeutic communication and reinforcing adaptive coping strategies during life transitions.
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