A nurse 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 lbs) and believes she is fat. Which of the following aspects of care should the nurse consider the first priority for this client?

A. "Tell me what is concerning you."

This response is the most therapeutic option. It invites the spouse to share their concerns and feelings, showing empathy and active listening. It opens the door for effective communication and understanding the spouse's perspective.

B. "Your husband is making really good progress."

While this response provides information about the husband's progress, it doesn't directly address the spouse's concerns or feelings. The spouse's emotional state needs to be acknowledged and explored before discussing the husband's progress.

C. "Did your husband say something to upset you?"

This response makes an assumption that the husband said something to upset the spouse. It might come across as accusatory or dismissive of the spouse's feelings. It's important to give the spouse the opportunity to express their emotions in their own words.

D. "Crying helps us let things out and we feel better."

This response offers a general statement about crying, but it doesn't directly address the spouse's concerns or invite further conversation. While it's true that crying can be cathartic, the focus here should be on understanding the spouse's specific worries.

A. "This medication may increase your blood pressure."

This statement is incorrect. Risperidone is not typically associated with significant increases in blood pressure. One of the potential side effects of risperidone is orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when changing positions (e.g., standing up quickly). Therefore, this choice is not the best instruction to include in the teaching.

B. "Flu-like symptoms are an expected adverse effect of this medication."

This statement is incorrect. While risperidone can have side effects, flu-like symptoms are not commonly associated with it. Common side effects of risperidone may include dizziness, drowsiness, weight gain, and movement disorders. Flu-like symptoms are not a typical adverse effect of this medication.

C. "Avoid becoming overheated while taking this medication."

This statement is correct. Risperidone, like many other antipsychotic medications, can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature. This can lead to an increased risk of overheating, especially in hot weather or during vigorous physical activity. Therefore, it's important for patients taking risperidone to be cautious and avoid becoming overheated, as this could potentially lead to heat-related complications.

D. "Muscle twitches can occur the first few weeks while taking this medication."

This statement is incorrect. Muscle twitches are not a common side effect of risperidone. While it's true that some movement disorders can occur with antipsychotic medications, the statement is too specific to muscle twitches and does not accurately reflect the typical side effect profile of risperidone.