A nurse and client are engaged in a discussion. The client says, “I feel really close to you. You are my only true friend.” Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic?

Choice A reason: Ignoring sexually aggressive behavior is unsafe and unprofessional, as it fails to address potential escalation or harm. Aggression may stem from impulsivity or mental health conditions, requiring intervention to ensure safety and maintain therapeutic boundaries, making this response inadequate and risky in a behavioral health setting.

Choice B reason: Setting firm limits and boundaries establishes clear expectations, reducing inappropriate behavior while maintaining safety. This approach addresses the client’s impulsivity or lack of control, common in mental health disorders, by reinforcing professional conduct and ensuring a therapeutic environment, making it the most effective and safe response.

Choice C reason: Walking away and delegating care avoids addressing the behavior, potentially escalating the client’s aggression or disrupting care continuity. It fails to establish boundaries, which are critical for managing behavioral issues in mental health settings, and may undermine the client’s trust in the therapeutic process, making it inappropriate.

Choice D reason: Reporting to the director without first addressing the behavior skips essential de-escalation steps. While reporting may be needed for persistent issues, immediate boundary-setting is more appropriate to manage aggression, maintain safety, and support therapeutic goals, making this response less effective as an initial action.

Choice A reason: Taking blood pressure in the left arm with an AV fistula risks compressing the fistula, potentially causing thrombosis or damage. This can impair dialysis access, leading to inadequate treatment and complications like uremia or fluid overload. Blood pressure should be measured in the opposite arm to protect the fistula.

Choice B reason: Keeping the AV fistula site dry is important to prevent infection, as moisture can promote bacterial growth. However, it is not the priority over ensuring fistula patency, which is critical for effective dialysis. Infection prevention is secondary to confirming the fistula’s functionality to avoid life-threatening dialysis interruptions.

Choice C reason: Wrapping the AV fistula in gauze is not standard practice unless post-surgical or infected. Excessive wrapping may obscure the site, hindering patency assessments, and could increase infection risk if not changed properly. This action is less critical than ensuring the fistula’s functionality for dialysis.

Choice D reason: Assessing the AV fistula for bruit (whooshing sound) and thrill (vibration) confirms patency, ensuring it is functional for dialysis. A non-patent fistula prevents effective toxin and fluid removal, leading to uremia, hyperkalemia, or fluid overload. This assessment is the priority to ensure life-sustaining dialysis can proceed without complications.