A hospice nurse is visiting with the son of a client who has terminal cancer.

The son reports sleeping very little during the past week due to caring for his mother.

Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

The correct answer is choice C: “Do you have thoughts of harming yourself?”.

This is the priority question for the nurse to ask the client because it assesses the client’s risk for suicide, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of conduct disorder. The nurse should use a direct and nonjudgmental approach when asking about suicidal ideation and plan.

Choice A: “How do you get along with your peers at school?” is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client.

While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.

Choice B: “Do you have a criminal record?” is wrong because it is not relevant to the client’s current condition and might make the client feel defensive or stigmatized.

The nurse should avoid asking questions that imply blame or judgment and focus on the client’s strengths and coping skills.

Choice D: “How do you manage your behavior?” is wrong because it is not appropriate for the nurse to ask the client in an emergency department setting.

This question might imply that the client is responsible for their conduct disorder, which is a complex and multifactorial mental health condition. The nurse should collaborate with the client and their family to develop a behavior management plan that involves positive reinforcement, limit setting, and consistent consequences.

Normal ranges: According to the DSM-5, conduct disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or societal norms.

The symptoms of conduct disorder include aggression, deceitfulness, destruction of property, serious rule violations, and lack of remorse.

Conduct disorder can cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The prevalence of conduct disorder is estimated to be 4% among children and adolescents.

The risk factors for conduct disorder include genetic factors, neurobiological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.

Choice A reason:

"This test will be repeated when your baby is 2 months old. “This is a false statement. Newborn genetic screening is usually performed shortly after birth. The test is not typically repeated when the baby is 2 months old, as it is meant to detect conditions early on, allowing for prompt intervention and management if necessary.

Choice B reason:

"Your baby will be given 2 ounces of water to drink prior to the test."This is a false statement. The baby does not need to drink water before the newborn genetic screening test. The test is usually performed by collecting a small blood sample from the baby's heel, and there is no need for the baby to drink water beforehand.

Choice C reason:

"This test should be performed after your baby is 24 hours old. “This is the appropriate statement. The nurse should include the statement that newborn genetic screening should be performed after the baby is 24 hours old. Newborn genetic screening, also known as newborn screening or heel prick test, is a standard test performed on newborns to detect certain genetic, metabolic, and congenital disorders early on. The test is typically done by pricking the baby's heel to collect a small sample of blood, which is then analysed in a laboratory.

Choice D reason:

"A nurse will draw blood from your baby's inner elbow. “This is a false statement. The correct location for collecting the blood sample for newborn genetic screening is the baby's heel. The nurse will prick the baby's heel to obtain a few drops of blood, which will then be collected on a special filter paper for laboratory analysis.