A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for an older adult client who is anxious and has trouble sleeping at night. Which of the following nursing measures should the nurse implement?

Answer: (D) Encourage the client to discuss the problem with other clients

Rationale:

A) Call housekeeping to clean up the lounge: While involving housekeeping might address the immediate issue, it does not empower the client or involve them in the community aspect of the unit. The goal in a mental health setting is to encourage clients to take an active role in resolving communal issues, fostering responsibility, and promoting interpersonal communication.

B) Promise the client that the issue will be discussed at the next community meeting: While addressing the issue in a community meeting is appropriate, simply promising to bring it up without involving the client may not address the immediate concern or empower the client to take an active role. The client might feel dismissed if their concerns are not immediately acknowledged or acted upon.

C) Help the client clean up the dayroom: Assisting the client in cleaning the lounge may resolve the mess temporarily but does not address the underlying issue of other clients leaving trash. It is more beneficial for the client to engage in communication with their peers to foster a sense of community and mutual respect.

D) Encourage the client to discuss the problem with other clients: Encouraging the client to communicate directly with their peers is a therapeutic approach that fosters assertiveness and problem-solving skills. It allows the client to express their concerns and take responsibility for addressing issues within the community, which is beneficial in their mental health recovery process.

Involuntary commitment refers to the legal process by which an individual is admitted to a psychiatric facility for treatment against their will. The decision to involuntarily commit someone is typically based on the assessment that their behavior poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to inform the client's family that the reason for the involuntary commitment is the client's behavior being a threat to their own safety or the safety of others.

A."A psychiatrist determines that the client's behavior is irrational." This statement is incorrect because irrational behavior alone is not sufficient grounds for involuntary commitment.

Involuntary commitment is typically based on the assessment that the individual's behavior poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, rather than solely on the basis of irrational behavior.

B. "The client is unable to manage the affairs necessary for daily life." While the inability to manage daily affairs may be a factor considered in the overall assessment of a client's condition, it is not the sole criterion for involuntary commitment. Involuntary commitment is primarily focused on the risk of harm posed by the individual's behavior, rather than their ability to manage daily life tasks.

D. "The client has been accused of breaking the law." Accusations of breaking the law are not the basis for involuntary commitment. Involuntary commitment is based on the assessment that the individual's behavior presents a risk of harm to themselves or others. Legal issues are addressed separately through the legal system and are not directly related to the criteria for involuntary commitment.