A male patient in the psychiatric unit experiencing a state of mania is walking the halls completely naked. How should the nurse respond initially?

Explanation

• The nurse should take control of the situation without causing the patient more anxiety. Walk the patient to his room and encourage him to dress there.

• A manic patient often lacks good judgement and has poor impulse control, but may respond well to non-threatening encouragement.

• A manic patient is more receptive to non-threatening direction than confrontation, and walking with the patient to his room and encouraging him to get dressed so that he can do something else he enjoys will get better results than issuing an order.

• Confronting the patient or threatening the patient with seclusion or restraint will often escalate the situation or lead to resistance.

• Asking the other patients to return to their rooms is not appropriate.

• Withholding visitation is not an appropriate response.

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