A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client to an acute mental health unit following a suicide attempt. The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Initiate one-to-one nursing observation.
Make a contract with the client for weight gain.
Administer the Hamilton depression scale.
Review the client's toxicology laboratory report.
The Correct Answer is A
initiate one-to-one nursing observation, as this is the most urgent intervention to ensure the safety of the client. The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, anorexia nervosa, and attempted suicide, which indicates that they are at high risk for harm to themselves. One-to-one observation involves an assigned staff member who will be with the client at all times, ensuring their safety and preventing any further self-harm attempts.
Choice B, making a contract with the client for weight gain, is not an appropriate first action as it does not address the client's immediate safety concerns.
Choice C, administering the Hamilton depression scale, may be important to assess the client's depressive symptoms but is not the most urgent priority.
Choice D, reviewing the client's toxicology laboratory report, may be necessary for the overall assessment of the client, but safety comes first.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The client should expect hand tremors to start less than 24 hours after they stop drinking when reinforcing teaching about alcohol withdrawal with a client who has a history of alcohol use disorder.
Choice A, "Disulfiram will prevent my cravings for alcohol," is incorrect because disulfiram works by creating a very unpleasant reaction when the client drinks alcohol and is not a medication for preventing cravings.
Choice B, "It is important that I take Vitamin C to prevent liver cirrhosis or other liver damage," is incorrect because Vitamin C is not indicated for liver disease related to alcohol use disorder and is not effective in preventing it.
Choice C, "Withdrawal symptoms should last about 5 to 7 days once they begin," is incorrect because withdrawal symptoms can last for several days or even weeks, depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should determine the patient's triage level and examine and stabilize the patient as needed when caring for a patient without health insurance who is limping and dripping blood from a head wound in the Emergency department. This intervention is the priority because the patient could be at risk of life-threatening complications if their condition is left untreated. Giving the patient information about facilities that specialize in treating people without health insurance, choice B, and asking the patient to sign in and provide method of payment for services, choice C, may be necessary but are not the priority at this time. Transferring the patient to a hospital that specializes in traumatic brain injuries, choice D, may be necessary after stabilizing the patient, but it is not the priority at this time.
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