A nurse is assisting in a group therapy meeting and is sharing a humorous story unrelated to anyone in the group.
When the group laughs at the story, a client who has schizophrenia jumps up and runs out while yelling “You are all making fun of me!” Which of the following behaviors is this client displaying?

Initiating one-to-one nursing observation is the most crucial and immediate action the nurse should take in this scenario. Here's a detailed explanation:

Prioritizes Safety: The client has a recent history of a suicide attempt, indicating a high risk for self-harm. One-to-one observation ensures continuous monitoring, enabling prompt intervention if the client engages in any self-injurious behaviors or attempts. It prioritizes the client's safety and prevents further harm.

Addresses Acute Risk: The client's mental health conditions, including depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa, create a complex and acute risk profile. One-to-one observation allows for close assessment of the client's mental state, behaviors, and potential triggers, enabling early identification of any escalating risk and timely implementation of appropriate interventions.

Provides Support and Stabilization: The presence of a dedicated nurse provides emotional support, reassurance, and a sense of security for the client during this vulnerable period. It can help reduce anxiety and distress, promote engagement in treatment, and facilitate stabilization.

Gathers Essential Information: While observing the client, the nurse can gather valuable information about their behavior patterns, coping mechanisms, communication style, and potential triggers. This information is essential for developing a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.

Facilitates Trust and Rapport: One-to-one observation provides an opportunity for the nurse to establish a therapeutic relationship with the client, build trust, and promote open communication. This foundation is crucial for effective assessment, intervention, and ongoing care

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale: While acknowledging the client's experience is important, this statement does not immediately address the content of the hallucinations, which could be crucial for assessing the client's safety.

Choice B rationale: Asking how often the client hears the voices is useful information for later, but it is not the immediate priority when first addressing auditory hallucinations.

Choice C rationale: Asking what the voices are telling the client is the priority. This helps the nurse assess if the hallucinations include commands or harmful content, which is essential for determining the client's immediate safety and risk of self-harm or harm to others.

Choice D rationale: Explaining that the voices are part of the client's illness can be useful for long-term understanding, but it does not address the immediate need to assess the content of the hallucinations.