Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 87%
Simulated
A nurse is teaching a client who has generalized anxiety disorder about ways to help manage stress. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the client about using progressive relaxation?
Correct answer
Progressive relaxation involves tensing and releasing muscle groups to reduce tension. Other options describe cognitive restructuring, journaling, or visualization, not progressive relaxation.
Rationale
The correct answer is option B: Tighten a muscle group, then release the tension and move to the next one. In progressive relaxation, the client systematically tenses and relaxes muscle groups to reduce physical tension and induce relaxation. This helps the client become more aware of their body sensations and learn to distinguish between tension and relaxation. By tightening a muscle group and then releasing the tension, the client can experience the contrast between tension and relaxation, promoting a sense of calmness and reducing overall stress levels. The other options (A, C, D) involve different techniques such as cognitive restructuring, journaling, or visualization, which are not specifically related to progressive relaxation and may not be as effective in helping the client manage stress in the same way.