A young adult female client is admitted to the emergency department after being raped in a shopping center parking lot. The client expresses no suicidal ideation, but expresses feelings of self-blame for not taking precautions when going to her car. According to theorists, such as Maslow and Erikson, this client is struggling with which issue?

Choice A rationale: Providing information about available community resources is crucial during the discharge phase to support the client's transition to the community and ongoing care.

Choice B rationale: Exploring the client's feelings related to discharge is important, but providing practical information about available resources is more immediate and can aid in the client's continuity of care.

Choice C rationale: Asking the client to describe alternative coping mechanisms is relevant, but connecting the client with community resources is a more immediate concern during the discharge phase.

Choice D rationale: Discussing potential medication side effects is important, but linking the client to community resources takes precedence during the discharge process.

A. The client will eat nutritious meals in the hospital cafeteria.
While eating nutritious meals is essential for the physical recovery of the adolescent, improving self-esteem is the highest priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. A negative body image and poor self-esteem are central to the disorder, and addressing these underlying psychological factors can foster more effective long-term recovery. Although ensuring the client eats is important, achieving a positive self-image is fundamental for encouraging healthier eating behaviors and overall recovery.

B. The client will verbalize feelings of a positive self-esteem.
This goal is the most appropriate because it targets the core psychological issues that contribute to anorexia nervosa, such as distorted body image and low self-worth. Enhancing the client’s self-esteem can improve their willingness to engage in healthier behaviors, including eating, which directly supports both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Verbalizing positive self-esteem is a key step in addressing the psychological distortions that drive the disorder.

C. The family will communicate their love and concern to the client.
While family support is vital to the recovery process, the priority should be on the adolescent’s internal psychological healing. Family communication is important for creating a supportive environment, but it is secondary to addressing the client’s self-esteem and the immediate needs of recovery from anorexia nervosa.

D. The entire family will attend family therapy sessions regularly.
Family therapy is important, but it is not the highest priority in the acute phase of treatment. In the beginning stages of treatment, the focus should be on addressing the adolescent’s psychological and nutritional needs. Family therapy can be integrated later in the treatment plan once the client’s basic physical and emotional health are stabilized.