A practical nurse (PN) is assisting with the care of a family on a pediatric unit following the expected death of a 7-year-old child. The client's 15-year-old sibling suddenly begins pacing rapidly in the hallway, clenching their fists, and shouting that the medical staff 'did not do enough to save him.' In which order should the PN implement the following interventions to support this adolescent's acute grief response? Arrange the actions from first to last.
- 1Maintain a safe environment by clearing the immediate hallway and ensuring an unobstructed exit.
- 2Assume a calm, non-threatening posture at a respectful distance while remaining silently present.
- 3Verbally acknowledge the sibling's profound emotional pain using a brief, non-judgmental statement.
- 4Offer to accompany the sibling to a designated private family room away from the clinical unit.
- 5Report the adolescent's acute bereavement reaction to the charge nurse to facilitate a pastoral care referral.
Answer
The correct sequence prioritizes physical safety, followed by non-verbal de-escalation, verbal therapeutic validation, environmental modification, and finally interdisciplinary collaboration.
The correct sequence for managing an acute grief-induced behavioral crisis requires following the nursing process and prioritizing Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The nurse must first establish environmental safety (clearing the hallway). Second, the nurse uses non-verbal communication (respectful distance, silence) to de-escalate the pacing and anger. Third, once the situation is physically safe, the nurse implements verbal therapeutic communication to validate the adolescent's feelings. Fourth, having established trust, the nurse modifies the environment by offering a private room to support dignity. Finally, the nurse reports the event and collaborates for extended pastoral or grief support.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Prioritization of acute grief crisis interventions in adolescents