A nurse in the ER is admitting a client who has experienced a weight loss of 11 kg (25 lb) in the past 3 months. The client weighs 40 kg (88 lb) and believes she is fat. Which of the following aspects of care should the nurse consider the first priority for this client?
Plan a therapeutic diet for the client.
Provide a structured environment for the client.
Assess client's nutritional status.
Request a mental health consult.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C.
Choice A rationale:
Planning a therapeutic diet is important for overall client care, but it might not be the first priority. The client's significant weight loss and distorted body image require more immediate attention to address potential underlying mental health concerns..
Choice B rationale:
Providing a structured environment is beneficial, but it might not be the first priority in this situation. The client's distorted perception of weight and significant weight loss necessitate more immediate assessment and intervention.
Choice C rationale:
Assessing the client's nutritional status is the first priority in this scenario. The client's weight loss of 11 kg (25 lb) over 3 months and belief that she is fat are indicators of a possible eating disorder. Nutritional assessment helps determine the severity of the issue and guides appropriate interventions.
Choice D rationale:
While requesting a mental health consult is important, it is not the first priority. Addressing the client's immediate physical health, which includes assessing her nutritional status and potential risk for complications related to her distorted body image, takes precedence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A.
Choice A rationale: Disorganized speech is a hallmark symptom of acute mania in bipolar disorder. Clients may exhibit pressured speech, tangentiality, and flight of ideas, reflecting the heightened energy and cognitive disruptions associated with manic episodes.
Choice B rationale: Reporting auditory hallucinations, such as voices telling the client to write a novel, is more indicative of a psychotic disorder rather than acute mania in bipolar disorder. Mania typically involves elevated mood and activity levels, not hallucinations.
Choice C rationale: Weight gain reported by the spouse is not specific to acute mania. While changes in appetite and weight can occur in bipolar disorder, they are not defining features of manic episodes, which are characterized by heightened mood and activity.
Choice D rationale: Being dressed in all black does not specifically indicate acute mania. Mania is characterized by mood disturbances and increased activity levels rather than specific choices in clothing color, which can vary widely among individuals.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Telling the parents that they should not feel guilty might invalidate their emotions and discourage open communication. It's essential to acknowledge their feelings and address them empathetically.
Choice B rationale:
This choice demonstrates therapeutic communication and empathy. It encourages the parents to express their feelings, and the nurse is offering to listen and explore the reasons behind their guilt.
Choice C rationale:
This statement seems confrontational and may discourage the parents from sharing their emotions openly. Asking why they feel guilty immediately might put them on the defensive.
Choice D rationale:
While this statement acknowledges the difficulty of the situation, it ends with a premature reassurance that may not be well-received. The parents need space to discuss their feelings before focusing on the future.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.