A practical nurse (PN) in a long-term care facility is caring for a client who recently learned of a family member's sudden death. The client becomes acutely agitated, begins pacing the hallway rapidly, clenches their fists, and shouts profanities at staff members. Suddenly, the client picks up a heavy dining chair and holds it above their head. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action for the PN to take?
- Clear all other residents from the immediate area, maintain a safe distance near an exit, and activate the facility's emergency response protocol.Cevap
- BApproach the client slowly with open, visible hands, acknowledge their grief, and gently ask them to put the chair down.
- CStand directly in front of the client to block them from advancing, maintain firm eye contact, and ask, 'Why are you acting this way?'
- DInstruct unlicensed assistive personnel to surround the client to prevent movement and prepare to administer a prescribed PRN sedative.
Cevap
The correct action is to clear all other residents from the immediate area, maintain a safe distance near an exit, and activate the facility's emergency response protocol.
When a client escalates to holding a potential weapon (such as a heavy chair), they have entered the active acting-out phase of a crisis. At this stage, logical reasoning and standard verbal de-escalation are highly ineffective, and approaching the client is exceptionally dangerous. The immediate priority is the physical safety of all individuals present. The nurse must evacuate bystanders, maintain a safe distance while ensuring an unblocked exit, and call for emergency assistance to safely manage the situation.
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Anahtar Kavram
During the active violence phase of a crisis, immediate environmental safety, maintaining distance, and activating emergency protocols supersede attempts at verbal de-escalation or reasoning.