A nurse in a psychiatric unit is admitting a client who has self-inflicted cuts on their forearms. Which of the following is a priority response by the nurse?

Rationale:

A. "What coping methods help you when you feel bad?": While assessing coping mechanisms is important for long-term care planning, it does not immediately address the client's current risk for self-harm or suicide. This question is more appropriate after ensuring the client's safety.

B. "Do you have thoughts of suicide?": Determining if the client has suicidal ideation is the priority in this situation. Clients who self-harm may be at high risk for suicide, and direct questioning helps assess intent, plan, and urgency, which is crucial for ensuring immediate safety.

C. "Tell me why you hurt yourself.": Exploring the reasons behind self-injury can be valuable later during therapy or assessment, but it is not the first priority. The nurse must first evaluate the client’s current mental state and risk for further harm before exploring motives.

D. "Who can we call to support you?": Identifying a support system is important for discharge planning and ongoing therapy, but it does not address the immediate concern of suicide risk. Ensuring the client's current safety takes precedence over external support at the time of admission.

Rationale:

A. "We will keep the number for poison control stored in our phones.": Having the poison control number readily accessible is a key component of home safety for toddlers, who are at high risk for accidental ingestion. Prompt access supports rapid emergency response and guidance.

B. "We will make sure our hot water heater is set to 54° C (129° F)": This temperature setting is too high and increases the risk of scald burns. Water heaters should be set at or below 49° C (120° F) to reduce the chance of accidental burns during bathing or handwashing.

C. "We will make sure to turn pot handles towards the front of the stove.": Turning pot handles to the front makes them easier for a toddler to grab, increasing burn and injury risk. Handles should always be turned toward the back or center of the stove to keep them out of reach.

D. "We will store medications on a high surface that our child can't reach": High surfaces are not secure enough, as toddlers may climb. Medications should be stored in locked cabinets to ensure they are completely inaccessible to curious children.