Question

A patient is yelling hysterically at his wife. The wife tells the nurse that he just "snapped" and became mad about "nothing". The wife states, "This just isn't like him, I do not know what is going on." Which of the following responses could best explain the most likely reason for the client's outburst?

A. Addison's disease commonly cause severe rage and mood swings and it is not his fault.
B. The medications he is receiving can cause irritability and mood swings, however, I will let the physician know about his symptoms because sometime this can happen if he receives too much of the medication used to treat his condition.
C. You must have said something that caused him to get mad at you, the last time I went in there he was extremely pleasant.
D. It has to be hard for him to have you in his room all the time. It would be best if you would leave and let him have some time alone.

Answer 1

The most likely reason for the patient's sudden outburst could be due to the side effects of medications, which can cause irritability and mood swings. It is important to communicate these symptoms to the physician to potentially adjust the treatment plan.

Step-by-step explanation:

Addressing the patient's outburst with understanding and considering possible medical causes is crucial in healthcare settings. Response B: 'The medications he is receiving can cause irritability and mood swings, however, I will let the physician know about his symptoms because sometime this can happen if he receives too much of the medication used to treat his condition.' offers a compassionate understanding and recognizes the potential for medication side effects as a cause for the unexpected behavior. It implies an appropriate action by communicating with the physician to review the patient’s treatment plan, which might include adjusting medications if necessary.

Sudden changes in behavior, like increased irritability or mood swings, can indeed result from a variety of factors including stress, underlying mental health conditions, or physiological changes such as those induced by medications or other health issues. When patients exhibit changes from their normal behavior pattern, it is important for healthcare professionals to consider all possible causes - both psychological and physiological - and to act to ensure the patient's safety and well-being.