A nurse is caring for a client following a possible exposure to anthrax. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. This response may come across as confrontational and could potentially shut down further communication. It's important to offer support and empathy rather than immediately probing with questions.

B. While saying, "You can trust me and tell me what you are thinking," may foster trust, it is too vague and does not focus on assessing the client’s level of suicidal ideation or intent. Effective responses should prioritize safety by exploring specific details about the client’s thoughts.

C. "I need to know what you mean by misery" focuses on understanding the client’s emotional state but does not address the immediate concern of suicidal thoughts. While exploring the client’s feelings is important, it is secondary to assessing imminent risk.

D. Asking, "Do you have a plan to end your life?" is appropriate because it directly assesses the client’s risk for suicide. Determining whether the client has a specific plan, the means to carry it out, and intent to act is essential for evaluating the severity of the situation and implementing safety measures.

A. Provide the client with a walker: While a walker may be used during ambulation, ensuring the client's physiological readiness for ambulation takes precedence.

B. Premedicate the client with the prescribed analgesic: While pain management is important for comfort during ambulation, premedication may not be necessary for all clients and should be based on individual assessment.

C. Obtain the client's vital signs and oximetry prior to ambulation: This intervention allows the nurse to assess the client's physiological status and ensure stability before initiating ambulation, reducing the risk of complications.

D. Reinforce the client's surgical dressing: While maintaining the integrity of the surgical

incision is important, reinforcing the dressing alone does not ensure the client's readiness for ambulation.