A client with delusions tells the nurse, "You aren't doing your job.
Go get those people over there and shoot them before they get me." Which statement is the nurse's best response?

Choice A rationale:

Asking questions in a vague, non-specific format is not the best approach for addressing intimate partner violence. This approach may confuse the client or make them feel uncomfortable, as they may not know what specific information the nurse is seeking. It is essential to use clear and direct communication when addressing sensitive issues like intimate partner violence.

Choice B rationale:

Beginning with questions that are less sensitive in nature is the preferred approach when interviewing a client about intimate partner violence. This allows the nurse to establish rapport and build trust with the client before delving into more sensitive topics. Starting with less sensitive questions can help the client feel more comfortable and willing to share information about their situation.

Choice C rationale:

Getting the most difficult questions over with first is not the best approach when addressing intimate partner violence. Starting with the most challenging questions may cause the client to become defensive or unwilling to cooperate. It is essential to build a therapeutic relationship before discussing sensitive topics to ensure the client's emotional safety and willingness to disclose information.

Choice D rationale:

Sharing personal values to put the client at ease is not an appropriate approach when addressing intimate partner violence. It can be perceived as unprofessional and may compromise the objectivity and neutrality of the nurse in providing care. The focus should be on the client's needs and concerns, not the nurse's personal beliefs.

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the finding to the healthcare provider is important when the client no longer responds to commands and exhibits a specific response to pain. However, it should not be the first action. The nurse's initial response should be to assess and document the client's neurological status and response to pain to provide accurate information to the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale:

Documenting the purposeful response to pain is the correct initial action in this scenario. The client's response, which involves pulling the arms inward with elbows and wrists flexed and extending the legs with the toes pointed downward, is known as decerebrate posturing. It is a specific neurological response to painful stimuli and may indicate a brain injury. Documenting this response is crucial for the client's medical record and helps the healthcare provider assess the severity of the neurological injury.

Choice C rationale:

Initiating seizure precautions immediately is not the first action to take in this scenario. While the client's response to pain may resemble posturing seen in seizures, it is more indicative of a neurological injury or dysfunction. Further assessment and evaluation are needed before implementing seizure precautions.

Choice D rationale:

Administering a prescribed PRN analgesic is not the first action to take when the client exhibits decerebrate posturing in response to pain. This response indicates a neurological issue or injury that requires assessment and evaluation. Administering pain medication without a clear understanding of the underlying cause may not be appropriate and could potentially mask important neurological signs.