An adolescent female arrives at the wellness clinic reporting fears that she will hurt herself. The nurse observes scars on both wrists of the client. Which priority action should the nurse implement?
Assess for body image disturbance.
Complete a suicidal risk assessment.
Explore the client’s current life events.
Praise her for seeking professional help.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Assessing body image disturbance is relevant in adolescents but not the priority with self-harm fears and wrist scars, indicating high suicide risk from psychological distress or serotonin dysregulation. A suicidal risk assessment evaluates immediate safety, addressing the neurobiological urgency of potential self-injury over body image concerns.
Choice B reason: Completing a suicidal risk assessment is critical, as self-harm fears and wrist scars suggest active suicidal ideation or past attempts, possibly from depression or trauma. Assessing intent, plan, and means guides urgent interventions like hospitalization, addressing psychological and neurochemical risks to prevent self-injury in this high-risk client.
Choice C reason: Exploring life events provides context for self-harm but is secondary to assessing suicide risk. Stressors may trigger cortisol or serotonin imbalances, contributing to ideation, but evaluating immediate risk of self-harm is urgent to ensure safety, preventing lethal outcomes in an adolescent with evident self-harm history.
Choice D reason: Praising the client for seeking help is supportive but not the priority when self-harm fears and scars indicate high suicide risk. Positive reinforcement does not address immediate evaluation of intent or plan, critical to prevent harm and manage underlying psychological or neurochemical issues promptly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Going to the ER for glucose is unnecessary unless hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis is confirmed. Type 1 diabetes with nausea risks hyperglycemia from stress hormones like cortisol. Monitoring glucose and fluids manages the condition at home, preventing escalation unless severe symptoms arise, making this instruction premature.
Choice B reason: Drinking regular cola introduces high sugar, risking hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes, where insulin deficiency impairs glucose uptake. Stress from illness elevates glucose via glucagon. Monitoring with non-sugar fluids prevents dehydration and ketoacidosis, making this advice dangerous and ineffective for diabetes management.
Choice C reason: Monitoring blood glucose and drinking fluids is critical in type 1 diabetes during illness. Nausea reduces intake, and stress hormones raise glucose, risking ketoacidosis. Frequent checks guide insulin adjustments, and fluids prevent dehydration, maintaining metabolic stability, addressing the physiological needs of insulin deficiency and infection.
Choice D reason: Avoiding insulin risks diabetic ketoacidosis, as type 1 diabetes requires basal insulin despite nausea. Illness increases glucose via stress hormones, even without food. Monitoring allows tailored dosing, preventing hyperglycemia, making this instruction harmful, as it ignores ongoing insulin needs for metabolic control.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Depression involves social withdrawal, driven by low serotonin or dopamine. Encouraging the client to leave the room and engage socially stimulates oxytocin release and cognitive behavioral benefits, counteracting isolation. This therapeutic approach enhances mood and aligns with depression management goals, making it the most effective response.
Choice B reason: Calling TV a passive activity is partially true but less therapeutic, as it doesn’t directly promote social engagement. Depression treatment prioritizes interpersonal interaction to boost neurotransmitters like serotonin. This response misses the opportunity to encourage social therapy, critical for alleviating depressive symptoms in a mental health setting.
Choice C reason: Suggesting TV sends messages is inappropriate without psychotic symptoms, not indicated in this client’s depression. Depression involves low mood, not delusions. This could confuse or stigmatize, failing to promote social engagement, which is essential for improving mood via neurochemical and behavioral pathways in depression management.
Choice D reason: Allowing unlimited TV outside the room does not address depression’s social isolation. Excessive TV may reinforce withdrawal, reducing therapeutic group activities that enhance serotonin. This lacks focus on active engagement, critical for recovery, making it less effective than encouraging social interaction to improve mental health outcomes.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
