Question

Difficulty: MediumStress Management

A clinic nurse is developing a plan of care for a young adult client who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The client reports feeling overwhelmed, experiencing difficulty sleeping, and states, 'I feel like I have absolutely no control over my life or my future anymore.' Which of the following nursing interventions are appropriate to promote effective stress management? Select all that apply.

  1. Assist the client in identifying aspects of their daily routine that remain within their control.Answer
  2. Instruct the client on how to perform progressive muscle relaxation techniques before bedtime.Answer
  3. C
    Advise the client to avoid discussing their fears with family members to prevent mutual distress.
  4. Encourage the client to keep a daily journal to recognize specific emotional triggers.Answer
  5. E
    Reassure the client that these feelings of helplessness will naturally disappear as treatment begins.

Answer

The appropriate interventions are to assist the client in identifying controllable aspects of their daily routine, instruct them on progressive muscle relaxation techniques, and encourage daily journaling.
Effective stress management involves empowering the client, promoting healthy emotional processing, and utilizing physiological relaxation. Helping the client identify controllable factors restores a sense of autonomy. Progressive muscle relaxation directly targets physical tension and insomnia. Journaling provides a safe outlet for emotional expression and helps identify specific anxiety triggers.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the client's current emotional response and primary stressors.
The client is experiencing acute stress, sleep difficulty, and a profound sense of powerlessness related to a new chronic illness diagnosis.
Understanding the specific manifestations of the client's stress is necessary to select targeted therapeutic interventions.
2
Identify interventions that promote active coping and physiological relaxation.
Journaling, progressive muscle relaxation, and focusing on controllable factors are identified as effective, therapeutic strategies.
These strategies directly address the client's sleep disturbances, emotional overwhelmingness, and perceived loss of control.
3
Eliminate interventions that utilize non-therapeutic communication techniques.
Avoiding discussion and providing false reassurance are eliminated.
These actions invalidate the client's feelings, promote emotional suppression, and block the therapeutic relationship.

Key Concept

Therapeutic interventions for stress management involve empowering the client, encouraging healthy emotional expression, and teaching physiological relaxation techniques while avoiding communication blocks.
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