A nurse is caring for a client who attacked one of her friends and is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. "I can see that you trust me, but you should share those feelings with your psychiatrist, not me."

While encouraging the client to discuss their feelings with a mental health professional is important, this response does not address the immediate safety concern presented by the client's intent to harm others.

B. "I will not violate our nurse-client relationship. The information we discuss will remain confidential between us."

This response is inappropriate because it implies that the nurse will keep the information confidential, even though the client's statement raises concerns about the safety of others.

C. "Because you are a minor, I have to share any information that I feel is important with your parents."

While parents may have the right to be informed about their minor child's well-being, this situation goes beyond parental involvement. The nature of the threat requires immediate intervention from appropriate professionals and authorities.

"D. I cannot promise that. I must share this information with other members of the team who are responsible for planning your care."

Explanation: The client's statement about having a desire to harm others, especially classmates and a school teacher, raises significant concerns about the safety and well-being of not only the client but also the potential victims. In cases where the client poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, the nurse has a duty to breach confidentiality to ensure the safety of all involved parties. This response conveys the nurse's ethical obligation to involve other members of the treatment team and appropriate authorities to address the potential threat.

A. The client is unwilling to accept that treatment is needed.

This alone may not be sufficient to keep the client under a 72-hour hold. While a person's refusal to accept treatment may indicate a need for care, it might not meet the criteria for involuntary commitment unless there is an immediate danger to the individual or others.

B. The client states that she does not like the neighbor.

Disliking a neighbor is not typically a sufficient reason to place someone under a 72-hour psychiatric hold. The criteria for involuntary commitment usually revolve around a person's potential to harm themselves or others due to their mental state.

C. The client is a danger to herself or others.

Explanation:

In many jurisdictions, a 72-hour psychiatric hold, also known as an involuntary psychiatric hold or emergency detention, allows mental health professionals to detain a person who is considered a danger to themselves or others due to their mental condition. This is done to ensure the safety of the individual and those around them. The hold provides a brief period during which a psychiatric assessment can be conducted to determine the appropriate course of action for the person's mental health treatment.

D. The client states that she plans to move out of the state immediately.

While this statement might raise concerns about the client's stability, it generally would not meet the criteria for a 72-hour hold unless there is clear evidence that the client's immediate move would pose a risk to their own safety or the safety of others. The hold is more focused on imminent danger rather than potential future actions.