When caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack, which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
Remain calm and stay with the patient
During a panic attack the patient has intense fear, palpitations, breathlessness and a sense of losing control.
The nurse should remain calm and stay with the patient, using short, simple statements and helping with slow breathing; the nurse’s presence reduces fear and keeps the patient safe.
Leaving the patient alone increases fear, stimulants worsen anxiety, and exploring past traumas is not appropriate during the acute attack.
Hence, Remain calm and stay with the patient.
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Important Questions from Mental Health Nursing
When a nurse combines information about a patient’s verbal communication and nonverbal cues during psychological assessment, what is the nurse primarily aiming to understand?
A nurse believes that people with mental illness are dangerous. How might this misconception affect her professional behavior?
Which technique is most commonly used in psychosocial therapy to help clients change negative thought patterns?
A nurse is tasked with creating a peer support network for individuals with chronic mental illness in the community. Which action best demonstrates application of the principles of community mental health nursing and promotes empowerment?
What is a common misconception regarding suicide risk in patients who start feeling better after depression?
