Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 82%
Full-length
A male client is experiencing extreme distress. He begins to pace up and down the corridor. What nursing intervention is appropriate when communicating with the pacing client?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The nurse should not ask him to sit down. Pacing is the activity he has chosen to deal with his anxiety. The nurse dealing with this client should speak slowly and with short, simple sentences. The client may already recognize the anxiety and is attempting to deal with it. Walk with the client as he paces. This gives support while he uses anxiety-generated energy. Increasing the level of supervision may be appropriate after he stops pacing. It would minimize self-injury and/or loss of control.