A client who has major depressive disorder states to the nurse that he and his family would be better off if he were gone. Which of the following is the nurse's priority response?

"Are you thinking of harming yourself?"

"Do you really think your family would be better off without you?"

"When did you first start feeling this way?"

"Tell me what is happening right now."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?": Correct

This is the priority response because it directly addresses the client's statement about being better off gone, which raises concerns about potential suicidal thoughts. Asking this question allows the nurse to assess the client's risk of self-harm or suicide and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety.

B. "Do you really think your family would be better off without you?": Incorrect

While this response attempts to engage the client in a conversation, it doesn't directly address the immediate concern of suicidal thoughts. It's important to prioritize assessing the client's safety before exploring their feelings about their family's perspective.

C. "When did you first start feeling this way?": Incorrect

While understanding the client's history and the onset of their feelings is important, it's not the priority response in this situation. Assessing the client's risk of harm takes precedence over gathering historical information.

D. "Tell me what is happening right now.": Incorrect

This response doesn't directly address the client's statement about being better off gone and doesn't assess the immediate risk of self-harm or suicide. While understanding the client's current situation is valuable, safety concerns should be addressed first.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]

Explanation

A. Lithium: Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It helps to control mood swings and prevent the recurrence of manic and depressive episodes.

B. Carbamazepine: Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication that has been found effective in managing mood swings in bipolar disorder. It can help stabilize mood and prevent manic episodes.

C. Valproate (Valproic acid or Divalproex sodium): Valproate is another anticonvulsant medication that is used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. It can help control manic and mixed episodes.

The following options are not used to treat bipolar disorder:

D. Paroxetine: SSRIs, including paroxetine, carry a risk of inducing mania or hypomania in individuals with bipolar disorder. This risk is why these medications are usually avoided or used cautiously, always in conjunction with a mood stabilizer like lithium, valproate, or atypical antipsychotics. Before initiating paroxetine, it’s crucial that the client is stabilized with a mood stabilizer to minimize the risk of mood switching (i.e., moving from depression to mania or hypomania).

E. Donepezil: Donepezil is a medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It is not used to treat bipolar disorder.

A. Determining if the client has psychotic thinking B. Asking the client to identify the cause of the crisis C. Identifying the client's coping skills D. identifying the client's support systems

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Determining if the client has psychotic thinking.

Explanation: The highest priority assessment in this situation is to determine if the client has psychotic thinking. Psychotic thinking can indicate a severe mental health condition that requires immediate attention and intervention. If the client is experiencing psychotic symptoms, they might be at risk of harming themselves or others. Identifying and addressing psychotic thinking is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of the client and those around them.

B. Asking the client to identify the cause of the crisis.

While understanding the cause of the crisis is important for providing appropriate care, it is not the highest priority. Psychotic thinking or risk of harm takes precedence over understanding the cause.

C. Identifying the client's coping skills.

Coping skills are important for managing the crisis and promoting the client's well-being, but assessing for psychotic thinking and immediate safety concerns comes before evaluating coping skills.

D. Identifying the client's support systems.

Support systems are valuable for the client's overall recovery, but they are not as time-sensitive as assessing for psychotic thinking or imminent safety risks. Identifying support systems can come after addressing the immediate concerns.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A client who has major depressive disorder states to the nurse that he and his family would be better off if he were gone. Which of the following is the nurse's priority response?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing medication records for several clients who have bipolar disorder. The nurse should recognize that which of the following medications are used to treat clients who have bipolar disorder? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]

Explanation

A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who is receiving treatment following a situational crisis. Which of the following assessments by the nurse is the highest priority?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A school nurse is talking with a 13-year-old female at her annual health-screening visit. Which of the following comments made by the adolescent should be the nurse's priority to address?

A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who is receiving treatment following a situational crisis. Which of the following assessments by the nurse is the highest priority?

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing a variety of hallucinations. Which of the following hallucinations is the priority for the nurse to address?

A nurse manager on a mental health unit is discussing involuntary admissions during a staff meeting. Which of the following statements should the manager include in the discussion?

A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is in the manic phase. The client says he is bored. Which of the following activities is appropriate for the use to suggest to this client?

A nurse is caring for a client who is dying. The client says, "My mother died in the hospital, but I did not get before she died." Which of the Following statements should the nurse make?

A nurse at a walk in mental health clinic is assessing a client experiencing severe anxiety. The nurse should recognize the client might exhibit which of the following manifestations?