Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

A newly admitted client is pacing and exhibiting loud, intrusive behavior. The best nursing intervention is to:

1. Assign the client to a shared room

2. Redirect the client to a quiet area

3. Assign the client a room far down the hallway

4. Provide calming music

The correct answer is: Assign the client a room far down the hallway

The appropriate nursing intervention in this scenario is to redirect the client to a quiet area. When a client is exhibiting behaviors such as pacing and loudness, it can indicate agitation or distress. A quiet environment can help to reduce sensory overload and provide a calming effect, allowing the client an opportunity to regain control over their behavior. Redirecting the client to a quieter space not only helps to minimize disruption to other clients but also creates an environment that is more conducive to de-escalation and relaxation. It encourages a sense of safety and allows for the potential of one-on-one interaction with the staff, which can facilitate better communication and understanding of the client’s needs. In contrast, options that suggest assigning the client to a shared room or to a room far down the hallway may not effectively address the immediate needs of the client or the environment. While these may provide some separation from others, they do not necessarily help in calming the client or reducing the intrusive behaviors. Providing calming music could be beneficial in some contexts, yet it may not directly address the urgent need for a quieter atmosphere for someone who is notably agitated, as it might not be effective for all clients in distress.