A nurse is caring for a client who has factitious disorder. The client states, "I am so tired of living like this. Maybe I should just end it all." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Assess the client for suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm.
Determine if the client has entered one of their alter personalities.
Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques.
Encourage the client to participate in group therapy sessions.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm. The client's statement about feeling tired of living and contemplating ending it all indicates a potential risk for suicide. It is essential for the nurse to conduct a thorough assessment of the client’s mental state, including any suicidal thoughts or plans, to ensure their safety.
B. Determine if the client has entered one of their alter personalities. This action is not relevant to factitious disorder, as it involves intentionally producing or feigning symptoms rather than dissociative identity disorder, which features the presence of distinct personality states.
C. Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques. While relaxation techniques can be beneficial for managing stress, they do not address the immediate risk of suicidal ideation and should not be prioritized over a safety assessment.
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy sessions. While group therapy can be beneficial, it may not be appropriate to encourage participation until the client's safety is ensured. Assessing for suicidal thoughts takes precedence to address any immediate risk to the client.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Incoherent speech. Incoherent speech is more characteristic of acute episodes of schizophrenia rather than the prodromal phase. During the prodromal phase, symptoms are typically less severe and may not include full-blown disorganized thinking.
B. Severe delusions. Severe delusions are indicative of an active psychotic phase of schizophrenia. The prodromal phase generally involves milder symptoms that precede the onset of more severe psychotic episodes.
C. Withdrawn behavior. The prodromal phase of schizophrenia is often marked by subtle changes in behavior, including social withdrawal, decline in self-care, and changes in functioning. Withdrawn behavior is a common manifestation during this phase, signaling the beginning of deterioration before the onset of more intense symptoms.
D. Frequent hallucinations. Hallucinations are more commonly seen during the active phase of schizophrenia rather than the prodromal phase. In this early stage, clients may experience less intense symptoms and may not exhibit frequent or vivid hallucinations.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Dissociative amnesia. This condition involves memory loss of personal information or past events due to psychological stress or trauma. It does not cause physical symptoms like numbness or an inability to grip the steering wheel.
B. Depersonalization/derealization disorder. This disorder causes feelings of detachment from oneself (depersonalization) or the environment (derealization). While distressing, it does not typically result in sensory or motor deficits such as hand numbness.
C. Functional neurological symptom disorder. Formerly known as conversion disorder, this condition involves neurological symptoms, such as numbness or paralysis, that cannot be explained by a medical condition. The symptoms are often triggered by psychological stress, such as anxiety related to driving.
D. Factitious disorder. Factitious disorder involves deliberately fabricating or inducing symptoms to assume the sick role. In this case, the client is describing involuntary symptoms that appear to have a psychological basis rather than being intentionally produced.
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