A nurse in an acute care mental health unit is speaking with a client who reports that other clients leave trash in the lounge. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Call housekeeping to clean up the lounge.
Promise the client that the issue will be discussed at the next community meeting.
Help the client clean up the dayroom.
Encourage the client to discuss the problem with other clients.
The Correct Answer is D
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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
When planning an interview for a newly admitted client and deciding who to include, the nurse should use the method of including people whom the client views as family. It is important to consider the client's perception and definition of family, as this can vary from person to person. Family can include not only blood relatives or individuals related by marriage but also those who have significant emotional connections and provide support to the client.
Incorrect:
A. Including people who can support the client adequately: While it is essential to include individuals who can provide support to the client, support can come from various sources beyond family members. Including only those who can support the client adequately may exclude important individuals in the client's life who are not considered family but still play a significant role.
B. Including people who live in the same house with the client: While individuals living in the same house as the client may have daily interactions and involvement in the client's life, they may not necessarily be considered family by the client. It is crucial to consider the client's perception of family and include individuals based on that definition.
D. Including people who are related to the client by blood and marriage: While blood relatives and individuals related by marriage can be part of the client's family, limiting the inclusion to only these individuals may exclude others who are important to the client's support system.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Autonomy is the ethical principle that upholds an individual's right to make decisions about their own care and treatment. Respecting autonomy means acknowledging and honoring a person's right to make choices based on their own values, beliefs, and preferences. By importing a client's wishes to refuse prescribed treatments, the nurse is recognizing and respecting the client's autonomy. This shows that the nurse values the client's right to make decisions about their own healthcare and supports their choice, even if it may differ from what the nurse may recommend.
Incorrect:
A. Spending extra time to calm an agitated client demonstrates the ethical principle of beneficence, which is the duty to promote the well-being and welfare of the client.
B. Ensuring that a client understands expectations for group participation relates to the ethical principle of fidelity, which involves maintaining trust and keeping promises to the client.
C. Describing the adverse effects of a client's medications is important for informed consent and promoting understanding, but it does not directly involve the client's autonomy unless it is accompanied by a discussion of the client's choices and preferences regarding medication.

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