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?

Explain the client that the behavior was unacceptable.

Explore the truth of the client's statements.

Set behavioral limits for the client.

Establish a client relationship

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Explain to the client that the behavior was unacceptable: While addressing the behavior is important, it is more effective to first establish clear limits and boundaries to prevent further incidents.

B. Explore the truth of the client’s statements: This step involves assessing the client's statements and understanding their perspective, which is important but can be done after setting behavioral limits.

C. Set behavioral limits for the client: Establishing clear behavioral limits is crucial for maintaining safety and order in the psychiatric unit. It helps ensure that the client understands what is expected of them and the consequences of unacceptable behavior. This is particularly important if the client has exhibited aggressive behavior, as it helps prevent further incidents and maintains a safe environment for everyone.

D. Establish a client relationship: Building a therapeutic relationship is essential for effective treatment, but it should be done in the context of a safe environment where clear behavioral expectations have already been established.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The highest priority assessment in this situation is to determine if the client has psychotic thinking. Psychotic thinking can indicate a severe mental health condition that requires immediate attention and intervention. If the client is experiencing psychotic symptoms, they might be at risk of harming themselves or others. Identifying and addressing psychotic thinking is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of the client and those around them.

B. Asking the client to identify the cause of the crisis.

While understanding the cause of the crisis is important for providing appropriate care, it is not the highest priority. Psychotic thinking or risk of harm takes precedence over understanding the cause.

C. Identifying the client's coping skills.

Coping skills are important for managing the crisis and promoting the client's well-being, but assessing for psychotic thinking and immediate safety concerns comes before evaluating coping skills.

D. Identifying the client's support systems.

Support systems are valuable for the client's overall recovery, but they are not as time-sensitive as assessing for psychotic thinking or imminent safety risks. Identifying support systems can come after addressing the immediate concerns.

A. You are being unreasonable, and I will not call your doctor at this hour." B. Go back to your room, and I'll try to get in touch with your doctor." C. You must be very upset about something D. I can't call a doctor in the middle of the night unless it's an emergency."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "You are being unreasonable, and I will not call your doctor at this hour."

This response is confrontational and dismissive of the client's request. It does not promote a therapeutic interaction and might escalate the situation.

B. "Go back to your room, and I'll try to get in touch with your doctor."

This response might temporarily calm the client, but it’s misleading if the nurse does not intend to call the doctor. It also avoids addressing the client's immediate emotional needs and could result in a loss of trust if the nurse doesn’t follow through.

C. "You must be very upset about something."

This is the most therapeutic response. It acknowledges the client’s feelings without judgment and opens up communication. It allows the nurse to explore the client’s concerns, which is essential in providing appropriate care and support in a psychiatric setting.

D. "I can't call a doctor in the middle of the night unless it's an emergency."

While this statement is factually correct, it can come across as dismissive and could escalate the client's agitation. It does not acknowledge the client's emotions and might make the client feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Explanation

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