During a panic attack at night, if the patient refuses to stay in their room, which action is appropriate?

During a panic attack at night, if the patient refuses to stay in their room, which action is appropriate?

• A. Leave a light on in the patient's room.
• B. Explain that there is nothing to be afraid of.
• C. Let them sit out in the hall by the nurse's station.
• D. Place them sleep in a seclusion room.

Answer: (C)

During a panic attack, safety and supportive presence are the top priorities. The best approach is to keep the patient in a place where staff can supervise and quickly intervene if the panic worsens, without using restrictive measures. Having the patient sit in the hall near the nurse's station provides this: they remain within easy reach of help, a calm presence nearby, and the ability to offer reassurance while still avoiding confinement or isolation. Leaving a light on might offer slight comfort, but it doesn’t address the need for supervision or immediate support if the panic escalates. Explaining that there is nothing to fear can dismiss the patient’s current distress and may not help them feel safe. Putting the patient in a seclusion room is inappropriate for a panic attack unless there is clear, imminent danger to self or others; seclusion is a coercive intervention reserved for specific safety risks and requires strict policy compliance.

During a panic attack, safety and supportive presence are the top priorities. The best approach is to keep the patient in a place where staff can supervise and quickly intervene if the panic worsens, without using restrictive measures. Having the patient sit in the hall near the nurse's station provides this: they remain within easy reach of help, a calm presence nearby, and the ability to offer reassurance while still avoiding confinement or isolation.

Leaving a light on might offer slight comfort, but it doesn’t address the need for supervision or immediate support if the panic escalates. Explaining that there is nothing to fear can dismiss the patient’s current distress and may not help them feel safe. Putting the patient in a seclusion room is inappropriate for a panic attack unless there is clear, imminent danger to self or others; seclusion is a coercive intervention reserved for specific safety risks and requires strict policy compliance.