A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is taking an antipsychotic medication. Which of the following screening tools should the nurse use to identify tardive dyskinesia?

The correct answer is A.

Wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus outward. Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections of the eye.

The nurse should apply a thin layer of ointment along the lower eyelid margin and wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus (the corner of the eye near the nose) outward with a sterile gauze pad or tissue to prevent clogging of tear ducts and spreading of infection.

Choice A reason:

Determine previous coping skills used by the client is not appropriate. Assessing the client's previous coping skills is an essential step in the assessment phase of the therapeutic relationship, not specifically during the orientation phase. This information helps the nurse to understand the client's coping mechanisms and identify potential areas for improvement or support.

Choice B reason:

Facilitate the client's problem-solving skills is not appropriate the nurse may work on facilitating the client's problem-solving skills throughout the therapeutic relationship, including during the working phase. During this phase, the nurse and client collaborate to explore and address the client's concerns and challenges.

Choice C reason:

Assisting the client in expressing alternative behaviours is not appropriate. This action may also be part of the working phase, where the nurse helps the client explore alternative behaviours and coping strategies to address their issues and challenges.

Choice D reason:

The orientation phase is the initial stage of the therapeutic relationship where the nurse and the client get to know each other and establish the groundwork for their working relationship. During this phase, it is essential to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both the nurse and the client to ensure a clear understanding of each other's expectations.