A patient tells the nurse, "Air Force jets flying overhead are looking for me.They want to capture me." The patient has not previously verbalized this information.What should the nurse's initial intervention be?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse's initial intervention should be to voice doubt about the patient's delusions without arguing or dismissing them outright. This can help build rapport and trust with the patient, as well as avoid confrontation or escalation of the patient's paranoid ideation. Setting firm limits on disruptive behaviors or forcefully refuting all perceptual distortions may further alienate the patient and increase their paranoia. Encouraging a complete description of the delusions may be appropriate, but should be done in a non-confrontational and empathetic manner.

A Patient Tells the Nurse, "Air Force Jets Flying Overhead