A nurse is caring for a client who is homeless. What should be the nurse’s initial action?

Choice A rationale

Discussing the risks of being homeless with the client is an important part of understanding their situation, but it is not the nurse’s initial action when caring for a client who is homeless. The nurse’s initial action should be to establish trust and understand the client’s perspective.

Choice B rationale

This is the correct answer. Determining the client’s understanding of their living situation is the nurse’s initial action when caring for a client who is homeless. This helps the nurse to understand the client’s perspective and to tailor care to meet the client’s unique needs.

Choice C rationale

Assisting the client to develop goals for obtaining shelter is an important part of the care plan for a client who is homeless, but it is not the nurse’s initial action. The nurse’s initial action should be to establish trust and understand the client’s perspective.

Choice D rationale

Developing client teaching using a variety of strategies is an important part of nursing care, but it is not the nurse’s initial action when caring for a client who is homeless. The nurse’s initial action should be to establish trust and understand the client’s perspective.

Choice A rationale

Asking the client to describe how they are feeling today is an important part of the assessment. However, when dealing with a client who is managing depression, the nurse’s first priority should be to ensure the safety of the client.

Choice B rationale

Asking if the client is having any thoughts about hurting themselves is the first question the nurse should ask. This is because safety is always the top priority, and clients dealing with depression may be at risk for self-harm or suicide.

Choice C rationale

While it’s important to understand what makes the client feel less depressed, this question is not as immediately critical as assessing for potential self-harm or suicide risk.

Choice D rationale

Understanding the client’s support system is an important part of the assessment, but it is not the first priority. The nurse’s initial focus should be on assessing the client’s immediate safety and mental health status.