A nurse wants to teach alternative coping strategies to a patient experiencing severe anxiety. Which action should the nurse perform first?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lower the patient's current anxiety. This is the first step because a patient experiencing severe anxiety may not be able to focus on learning coping strategies until their anxiety is reduced. It is essential to address the immediate issue of anxiety to create a conducive environment for learning. Incorrect choices: A: Verify the patient's learning style - While understanding the patient's learning style is important, it is not the priority when the patient is in a state of severe anxiety. C: Create outcomes and a teaching plan - Developing outcomes and a teaching plan should come after addressing the immediate anxiety to ensure the patient can engage effectively in the learning process. D: Assess how the patient uses defense mechanisms - While understanding defense mechanisms is relevant, it is not the primary concern when the patient is in a state of severe anxiety.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it accurately distinguishes between bereavement and grief. Bereavement refers to the process of mourning, while grief refers to the emotional reaction to loss. This understanding shows comprehension of the concepts involved in coping with loss. Choice A is incorrect because grief and bereavement are not used interchangeably; they represent different aspects of the loss experience. Choice C is incorrect as grief and bereavement both involve confronting the stress and emotions related to loss. Choice D is incorrect as both bereavement and grief can be influenced by culture.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ineffective Health Maintenance related to homelessness. This is the priority nursing diagnosis because the client's foot infection needs immediate attention to prevent complications. Ineffective Health Maintenance addresses the client's inability to manage health and seek medical care, which is crucial in this case. A: Social Isolation is not the priority as the client is receiving regular care and interaction in the mobile clinic. C: Chronic Low Self-Esteem may be a concern but is not as urgent as addressing the foot infection. D: Imbalanced Nutrition is not directly related to the client's current issue of a foot infection.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because insomnia, particularly early morning awakening, is a common symptom of major depressive disorder. This symptom is often associated with the inability to fall back asleep and can lead to significant fatigue and impairment during the day. It is important to note that sleep disturbances are a key criterion for diagnosing depression. A, B, and C are incorrect because restlessness (choice A) is more commonly associated with anxiety disorders, excessive studying for future goals (choice B) may indicate high achievement motivation rather than depressive symptoms, and unintentional weight loss (choice C) can be a sign of various medical conditions but is not specific to major depressive disorder.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Acceptance that death is a natural part of life. This factor is crucial for hospice nurses as it enables them to approach end-of-life care with compassion and understanding. By accepting death as a natural process, the nurse can provide respectful care without fear or denial. Possessing excellent nursing skills (B) is important but not as impactful as having the right mindset towards death. A healthy personal life (C) can contribute to overall well-being but may not directly impact the nurse's ability to provide respectful care. While the desire to work with both the patient and family (D) is important, it is the acceptance of death that underpins the nurse's ability to provide professional care in the hospice setting.