A patient who has been pacing rapidly for the past hour cannot immediately be located on the unit.When he is found,he is in his closet,rocking back and forth rapidly and talking rapidly to himself.When staff approach,he only seems to notice them momentarily,then leaves his room and begins running up and down the hallway.Which of the following interventions should be attempted at this point?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's behavior is consistent with a panic level of anxiety.Calm,brief,directive verbal instructions can help such patients gain control of overwhelming feelings and impulses.Patients experiencing panic-level anxiety are unable to focus and integrate new information into memory,making teaching likely to be ineffective until their anxiety is reduced.Antianxiety medications and seclusion would be a back-up intervention if verbal interventions fail.However,although providing an opportunity for the patient to participate in decisions about his care is usually desirable,asking the patient to choose the route of medication to be used at a time when understanding and decision making are impaired is not therapeutic.Seclusion could be interpreted as punishment or perceived as a threat,and in turn heighten his fear and panic;it should be reserved for situations when all other options have failed or no other intervention can provide acute safety needs.

A Patient Who Has Been Pacing Rapidly for the Past