A nurse is caring for a client who has depressive disorder.
The client states, "Everyone would be better off if I were not around." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A rationale:

Inquiring about the client's bedtime routine is the nurse's priority because it directly addresses the client's reported problem of insomnia due to increased stress. Understanding the client's routine can help identify factors contributing to sleep difficulties and guide the development of an appropriate plan of care.

Choice B rationale:

Recommending that the client go for a walk every morning may be a helpful intervention, but it does not directly address the client's immediate concern of insomnia. It's important to first assess the client's current situation and then provide tailored interventions.

Choice C rationale:

Instructing the client to turn off the television before bedtime is a good sleep hygiene practice, but it may not be the priority when the client is experiencing acute insomnia due to increased stress. The nurse should first gather information about the client's specific situation.

Choice D rationale:

Encouraging the client to listen to soft music at the onset of stress is a useful relaxation technique, but it may not be the priority in this case. The nurse should focus on addressing the client's insomnia by identifying contributing factors and implementing appropriate interventions.

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Documenting the event in the client’s progress notes is not the most appropriate action in this situation. The client’s progress notes should contain information about the client’s health status and care, not about staff behavior. Furthermore, documenting this incident in the client’s notes could potentially violate the client’s privacy if the notes are accessed by individuals who do not need to know about the incident.

Choice B rationale: Submitting an incident report to the risk manager is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Incident reports are typically used for events that have caused or have the potential to cause harm to a client, such as medication errors or falls. In this case, while the APs’ behavior is inappropriate, it has not caused harm to the client.

Choice C rationale: Informing the client of the APs’ actions is not the most appropriate action in this situation. Doing so could unnecessarily worry or upset the client. The nurse’s role is to advocate for the client and protect their privacy and dignity, which includes not sharing information about inappropriate staff behavior with the client.

Choice D rationale: Telling the APs to stop the conversation is the most appropriate action in this situation. The nurse has a professional responsibility to address inappropriate behavior by other healthcare team members. Discussing a client in a public area, such as the nurses’ station, is a breach of client confidentiality. The nurse should remind the APs of the importance of maintaining client confidentiality and direct them to stop the conversation.