Question

A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit is pacing the hallway and appears agitated. When nurse approaches, the client says loudly, "Leave me alone." Which response by the nurse would be best?

Say nothing and pace with the client. Summon help in case the client becomes aggressive. Say, "You sound upset. I'd like to help." Say "okay" and walk away.

Answer 1

The best response for the nurse is to acknowledge the client's agitation and offer assistance by saying, "You sound upset. I'd like to help." This communicates empathy and a willingness to support the inpatient without escalating the tension.

Step-by-step explanation:

When dealing with an inpatient who appears agitated, the most effective approach for a nurse is to communicate calm and concern while maintaining safety. In this scenario, where the client is loudly asserting a desire to be left alone, the best response by the nurse would be to acknowledge their emotional state and offer assistance without escalating the situation. Therefore, the nurse should respond with, "You sound upset. I'd like to help." This approach shows empathy, respects the client's expressed wish for space, and keeps the door open for further interaction if the client's demeanor changes.