A client commits suicide in an acute mental health facility. Which of the following is the priority intervention for staff following this incident?

Sharing personal information can blur the professional boundaries and might not be effective in reducing the client's suspicion. It's important to maintain a professional demeanor while building trust.

B) Approach the client frequently throughout the day for brief interactions:

While it's important to establish a presence and provide support, approaching the client too frequently might increase their discomfort and reinforce their suspicion. It's better to allow the client some personal space while ensuring they know you are available when needed.

C) Adopt a neutral attitude when providing care.

Explanation:

When dealing with a client who is extremely suspicious, it's important for the nurse to approach the situation with a neutral attitude. A neutral attitude helps to build trust and minimize any potential triggers for the client's suspicion. This approach creates a non-threatening environment where the client may feel more comfortable and gradually begin to open up.

D) Wait for the client to initiate interaction:

While giving the client space is important, waiting for them to initiate interaction might prolong the development of a therapeutic relationship. Clients who are extremely suspicious might have difficulty initiating interactions due to their concerns.

While the behavior may occupy the client's time and attention, the primary motivation behind OCD-related compulsions is not to engage in meaningful tasks but rather to alleviate anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts.

B. Decrease anxiety to a tolerable level.

Explanation: Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often engage in compulsive behaviors, such as cleaning, organizing, or checking, as a way to reduce the anxiety caused by their obsessive thoughts. In this scenario, the client's constant picking up after others is likely a compulsive behavior that serves the purpose of decreasing their anxiety to a tolerable level. The act of tidying up may temporarily alleviate the distress caused by obsessive thoughts related to cleanliness, order, or potential harm.

C. Manipulate and control others' behaviors.

The behavior described does not inherently indicate a desire to manipulate or control others. The behavior is driven by the client's internal anxiety rather than an intention to control external factors.

D. Limit the amount of time available to interact with others.

The behavior is more closely related to managing anxiety than limiting social interactions. OCD-related behaviors are driven by the need to reduce distress, not necessarily to avoid interacting with others.