Question

The clinical nurse specialist is conducting an initial assessment of a client recently admitted to the acute care setting. When asked about her frequent habit of looking over her shoulder, the client became very anxious and evasive. The nurse says, “I can see that this interview is making you uncomfortable. Would you prefer to continue our discussion at a later time?” (Learning Objectives: 2 and 4)

a. Discuss why the statement made by the nurse was appropriate at this time.

b. Consider key physiologic conditions that should also be assessed, and indicate why these issues may have an impact on the client’s mental health function.

Answer 1

a)The nurse assesses the patient is anxious and evaaive. So she postpone the interview to the make the patient more comfortable for the interview. This critical thinking of the nurse is appropriate and appreciable. Because with an anxious mind, it is difficult to collect necessary details of the patient and eventually it will affect the care for the patient. By postponing the interview, the patient get familiar with the new environment and with the staffs. Then the patient become more comfortable with the nurse and reveals all the health issues to the nurse. And it is really helpful for the proper treatment.

Also during this time the nurse can also attain trustworthy in the patient.

b) when the nurse asks the patient about his habit of frequent looking over her shoulders make the patient uncomfortable, anxious and evasive

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions.

When the patient is anxious it can affect the her mental health function adversely. Because anxiety activates the limbic system in the brain, producing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to cope up with the situation.

Anxiety affects the cardiovascular, excretory and immune system also. Increase in heart rate , palpitation, high blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, shortness of breath and long term stress weakens the immune system and become more susceptible for infections and diseases.

This will also affect the mind,the patient may feel distracted, uncomfortable, depressed and it may be expressed by physical symptoms. Anxiety has a negative impact on the menth health function of the patient and the patient may feel depressed and worthlessness.