Question

The nurse is observing care given to a patient experiencing severe to panic levels of anxiety. In which of the following situations would the nurse intervene?

1) The patient is engaging in deep breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety.
2) The patient is participating in a group therapy session to discuss coping strategies.
3) The patient is engaging in self-harm behaviors as a way to cope with anxiety.
4) The patient is using relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation.

Answer 1

The nurse would intervene when the patient engages in self-harm behaviors, as it is a harmful coping strategy. Other situations involving stress reduction techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation are safe and beneficial. Coping strategies are crucial for managing stress effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would intervene in situation 3, where the patient is engaging in self-harm behaviors as a way to cope with anxiety. This is because self-harm is a harmful coping mechanism that poses immediate danger to the patient's physical well-being. The other situations mentioned, such as deep breathing exercises, group therapy, and relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, are legitimate and safe stress reduction techniques that can help in managing stress and anxiety.

Coping strategies to manage stress include both problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Additionally, it is widely recognized that activities like exercise, meditation, and biofeedback are beneficial for both physical and mental health when combating stress.

It is essential for healthcare professionals like the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional to review aloud the key concerns for the recovery and care of the patient, ensuring the implementation of positive stress reduction methods and intervening when harmful behaviors such as self-harm are observed.