After being treated in the emergency department for an opioid overdose two weeks ago, a client arrives to an outpatient treatment clinic. During the admission interview with the nurse, the client denies having a problem with opioid addiction, but admits to gradually increasing the dosage. Which approach is best for the nurse to make?

A. While the presence of greenish fluid in a nasogastric tube can indicate a small bowel obstruction, this finding alone does not necessarily indicate an immediate life-threatening condition. The client should be monitored, but this is not the priority.

B. Abdominal rigidity in the context of a volvulus (twisting of the bowel) can indicate bowel ischemia or perforation, which is a surgical emergency. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent further complications such as sepsis or peritonitis.

C. A paralytic ileus is a common postoperative complication and often resolves with time. While the absence of bowel sounds is concerning, it is a routine finding in this situation and does not require immediate attention unless there are signs of further complications.

D. Abdominal distention in a large bowel obstruction can indicate a need for further assessment and treatment. However, compared to a volvulus with abdominal rigidity, this situation is less urgent and does not represent an immediate life-threatening emergency.

A. Recommend substituting opioids with other pain medication: Simply switching to another pain medication without addressing underlying misuse behaviors may reinforce dependency. This overlooks the denial and psychological aspects of addiction.

B. Explore other coping strategies aside from using medications: This client-centered approach gently addresses the issue without direct confrontation. It encourages self-reflection, promotes healthy alternatives, and meets the client where they are in terms of readiness for change, which is essential in early recovery.

C. Provide a list of local Narcotics Anonymous meetings: Although this is useful, offering it during the first interaction with a client in denial may lead to resistance. Engagement and trust-building through conversation about alternatives are more effective initially.

D. Explain that opioid abuse poses a great risk to life: Providing factual information about risk can be helpful, but directly labeling it as abuse when the client is in denial may trigger defensiveness. It is more therapeutic to explore behaviors and build insight before confrontation.