Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

When stabilizing acute psychiatric symptoms, what is a primary goal for the nursing staff working with clients?

1. Complete discharge planning

2. Provide long-term therapy

3. Facilitate immediate symptom reduction

4. Focus on medication compliance

The correct answer is: Facilitate immediate symptom reduction

In the context of stabilizing acute psychiatric symptoms, the primary goal for nursing staff is to facilitate immediate symptom reduction. During an acute episode, individuals often experience significant distress and impairment due to their symptoms, which may include anxiety, agitation, psychosis, or depressive episodes. By focusing on immediate symptom reduction, nursing staff can help alleviate the client's distress, enabling them to regain a sense of stability and safety. This approach is crucial because it allows for the effective management of symptoms, which can pave the way for more comprehensive and long-term treatment strategies once the acute phase has been addressed. Immediate symptom reduction also creates an environment in which the client can better engage in further assessment, treatment options, and therapeutic interventions. While options like discharge planning, long-term therapy, and medication compliance are all important aspects of psychiatric care, they are typically more relevant after the acute symptoms have been stabilized. The priority during an acute episode is to ensure that the client is safe and that their most pressing symptoms are effectively managed. This foundational step is vital in conveying to the client that their symptoms can be managed and to restore their ability to participate in ongoing treatment efforts.