Asked by Daniel Tapia-Hernandez on May 11, 2024
Verified
A patient has not been sleeping well because he is worried about losing his job and not being able to support his family. The nurse takes the patient's vital signs and notes a pulse rate of 112 beats/min, respirations are 26 breaths/min, and his blood pressure is 166/88 instead his usual 110-120/76-84 range. Which nursing intervention or recommendation should be used first?
A) Go to sleep 30 to 60 minutes earlier each night to increase rest.
B) Relax by spending more time playing with his pet dog.
C) Slow and deepen breathing via use of a positive, repeated word.
D) Consider that a new job might be better than his present one.
Pulse Rate
The number of heartbeats per minute, indicating heart rate and cardiovascular health.
Blood Pressure
The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, a critical indicator of cardiovascular health.
Respirations
The act of breathing, which includes both the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.
- Understand and apply initial nursing interventions for stress relief.
Verified Answer
XM
Xavier MahimairajMay 16, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
The patient is responding to stress with increased arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, as evident in his elevated vital signs. These will have a negative effect on his health and increase his perception of being anxious and stressed. Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (i.e., Benson's relaxation response) will counter the sympathetic nervous system's arousal, normalizing these vital-sign changes and reducing the physiologic demands stress is placing on his body. Other options do not address his physiologic response pattern as directly or immediately.
Learning Objectives
- Understand and apply initial nursing interventions for stress relief.
Related questions
The Nurse Is Talking to a Patient Who Was Involved ...
A Patient Nervously Says, Financial Problems Are Stressing My Marriage ...
A Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit Has Been Experiencing ...
The Nurse Is Presenting a Workshop on Stress and Adaptation ...
The Nurse Believes That a Patient May Be Experiencing a ...