A nurse in a mental health facility is caring for a client who is being aggressive toward other clients. Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to take?

Choice A reason: Assertiveness training is typically used to help individuals communicate more effectively and assert their needs and rights while respecting others. However, for someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), this approach may not address the core issues of grandiosity and lack of empathy.

Choice B reason: Response prevention therapy is often used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder to help prevent the individual from engaging in compulsive behaviors. It is not typically indicated for NPD, as it does not address the underlying issues of self-esteem and empathy.

Choice C reason: Schema-focused therapy is designed to help individuals with NPD by identifying and changing deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behavior, known as schemas, that are often maladaptive. This therapy can help address the root causes of NPD, such as feelings of inadequacy and the need for admiration, making it a suitable recommendation for someone with NPD³.

Choice D reason: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective for a range of mental health disorders by helping individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns. While CBT can be beneficial for someone with NPD, schema-focused therapy is often preferred because it goes deeper into the personality structure and addresses the specific challenges of NPD³.

Choice A reason:This client experiences psychological stress that manifests as neurological symptoms, such as blindness, deafness, or paralysis, without an underlying medical cause. These deficits are real to the client, creating significant safety risks. The nurse must prioritize assessing their ability to navigate the environment safely to prevent falls or injuries related to these sudden sensory losses.

Choice B reason: Mild anxiety disorder typically does not involve sensory impairments. Anxiety may cause heightened awareness or sensitivity to stimuli but does not result in a loss of sensory function.

Choice C reason: Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by patterns of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. It does not include sensory impairments as a symptom.

Choice D reason:While this client may engage in time-consuming rituals or repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life, the disorder does not typically present with neurological or sensory impairments. Potential physical risks for these clients usually involve skin integrity issues from excessive washing or nutritional imbalances rather than the loss of primary senses like sight or hearing.