Question

over a period of several weeks, a male participant of a socialization group at a community daycare center for the elderly monopolizes most of the groups time and interrupts others when they are talking. what is the best action for the nurse to take in this situation?

talk to the client outside the group about his behavior during group meetings.
remind the client to allow others in the group a chance to talk.
allow the group to handle the problem.
ask the client to join another group.

Explanation:

Analyze the group dynamic and behavior

A client in a socialization group is monopolizing time and interrupting others. In therapeutic group dynamics, the leader's role is to facilitate interaction among all members and help the group develop its own cohesive problem-solving abilities rather than relying solely on direct leader-to-member interventions.

Evaluate the intervention options

• Talking to the client outside the group or asking him to leave/join another group bypasses the group process and misses a therapeutic opportunity for both the individual and the group.
• Reminding the client directly is a leader-centric intervention that does not encourage group autonomy.
• Allowing the group to handle the problem (with active facilitation by the nurse if needed) empowers the members, promotes group cohesion, and utilizes the group process to address disruptive behaviors.

Answer:

• (A) Talk to the client outside the group about his behavior during group meetings.
• (B) Remind the client to allow others in the group a chance to talk.
• (C) Allow the group to handle the problem. (Correct answer)
• (D) Ask the client to join another group.