Question

A client is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. After the assessment and admission procedures are completed, the nurse states, "I'll try to be available to talk with you when needed and will spend time with you each morning from 10:00 until 10:30 in the corner of the dayroom." What is the main rationale for communicating these planned nursing interventions?

1. To attempt to establish a trusting relationship
2. To provide a structured environment for the client
3. To instill hope in the client
4. To provide time for completing nursing responsibilities

Answer 1

The rationale for the nurse detailing specific intervention times to a psychiatric client is primarily to establish a trusting relationship, secondarily to provide structure, and to foster hope by ensuring that the client feels prioritized in their mental health care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main rationale for the nurse communicating planned nursing interventions is to establish a trusting relationship with the client. By setting aside a specific time each day for interaction, the nurse not only offers predictability which helps to create a structured environment, but also conveys to the client that their well-being is a priority, thus helping to instill hope. The consistent availability of the nurse for conversation is a vital part of the emotional support network that is crucial in the recovery and management of mental health.

This approach aligns with the ideas discussed in Reasoning Strategies: Improving Critical Thinking, where problem-solution reasoning is used to address issues by providing evidence-based solutions. For instance, if the problem is high wait times for mental health support, as indicated by the evidence from Kay Payne who reports a 10-day wait, a solution could be offering guaranteed interaction times which this nurse is initiating.

Further, considering that mental health issues are widespread in communities, as the on-campus survey evidences with 75% of students reporting mental health challenges, a structured approach to care such as the one described can significantly contribute to addressing these concerns. This intervention strategy, informed by the collaboration between researchers and community partners, considers the psychosocial needs of individuals, leveraging communication and flexibility to enhance mental health services.