NCLEX-PN® ExaminationPsychosocial IntegrityHard
A practical nurse is providing care for a client who recently experienced a sudden, traumatic loss of a family member. The client is withdrawn, tearful, and unable to perform daily self-care activities. Which phase of crisis intervention, according to Aguilera and Mesnick, is the nurse primarily addressing?
- APlanning of therapeutic intervention
- BResolution of the crisis and anticipatory planning
- CIntervention
- DAssessment of the individual and problem
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Intervention
The client's current state of withdrawal, tearfulness, and inability to perform self-care indicates an acute need for support and direct assistance to stabilize their emotional state and regain functional abilities. This falls under the 'Intervention' phase, where the nurse actively implements strategies to help the client cope and move towards resolution.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Planning follows assessment, where specific strategies are developed. The scenario describes active care, not just planning.
- B. Resolution and anticipatory planning occur after the immediate crisis has stabilized and the client is beginning to regain equilibrium.
- D. Assessment would have occurred earlier to identify the problem and client's coping. While ongoing, it's not the primary focus when actively addressing acute distress.
Crisis Intervention: Intervention Phase
The intervention phase of crisis intervention involves implementing planned strategies to help the client cope, reduce distress, and restore their pre-crisis level of functioning.
- Focus on immediate problem-solving and emotional support.
- May involve direct assistance with basic needs or referrals.
- Aims to stabilize the client's emotional state.
Memory trick: Assess Plans, Intervene, Resolve.