A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing expressive aphasia and right hemiparesis following a stroke.
Which of the following actions by the nurse best promotes communication among staff caring for the client?

This is the priority question for the nurse to ask the client because it assesses the client’s risk for suicide, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of conduct disorder. The nurse should use a direct and nonjudgmental approach when asking about suicidal ideation and plan.

Choice A is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client.

While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.

Choice B is wrong because it is not relevant to the client’s current condition and might make the client feel defensive or stigmatized.

The nurse should avoid asking questions that imply blame or judgment and focus on the client’s strengths and coping skills.

Choice D is wrong because it is not appropriate for the nurse to ask the client in an emergency department setting.

This question might imply that the client is responsible for their conduct disorder, which is a complex and multifactorial mental health condition. The nurse should collaborate with the client and their family to develop a behavior management plan that involves positive reinforcement, limit setting, and consistent consequences.

Normal ranges: According to the DSM-5, conduct disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or societal norms.

The symptoms of conduct disorder include aggression, deceitfulness, destruction of property, serious rule violations, and lack of remorse.

Conduct disorder can cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The prevalence of conduct disorder is estimated to be 4% among children and adolescents.

The risk factors for conduct disorder include genetic factors, neurobiological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.

The correct answer is choice C: Document the client’s behavior prior to being placed in seclusion.

Choice A rationale:

Discussing with the client his inappropriate behavior prior to seclusion is important, but it’s not the most appropriate action. The priority is to ensure the safety of the client and others, which can be achieved by documenting the client’s behavior prior to seclusion.

Choice B rationale:

Offering fluids every 2 hours is a good practice to keep the client hydrated, especially if they are agitated or physically active. However, this is not the most appropriate action in this context.

Choice C rationale:

Documenting the client’s behavior prior to being placed in seclusion is the most appropriate action. This documentation is crucial for legal and ethical reasons, and it helps in evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Assessing the client’s behavior once every hour is important to monitor the client’s condition and response to seclusion. However, this is not the most appropriate action in this context.