Question

Mrs. Fogel has brought her eight-year-old son in to the emergency room for a laceration on his forehead. When the nurse removes the bandage and assesses the wound, Mrs. Fogel begins to tremble, complains of heart palpitations and shortness of breath, and describes feeling like she's in a movie. The nurse accurately recognizes a panic attack. An appropriate nursing intervention to help the mother is:

A. Distract her with a television show
B. Ask her to leave the room so she doesn't upset her son
C. Teach her relaxation techniques
D. Stay with her and speak softly

Answer 1

The appropriate nursing intervention to help Mrs. Fogel during her panic attack includes teaching relaxation techniques and staying with her while speaking softly to provide reassurance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Mrs. Fogel shows signs of a panic attack in the emergency room, the nurse has several interventions to consider. While options such as distracting her with a television show or asking her to leave the room might seem like possible solutions, they do not address the immediate needs of the mother who is experiencing acute distress. Instead, teaching her relaxation techniques is an appropriate intervention that can provide Mrs. Fogel with tools to manage her symptoms in the moment and could be beneficial for long-term coping. These techniques may include deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery. Additionally, staying with her and speaking softly can help to soothe and reassure her during this intense emotional experience. It's important that the nurse's response is empathetic and provides both emotional support and practical assistance to help Mrs. Fogel cope with her panic.