An adolescent hospitalized after a physical outburst tells the nurse, "I’m going to kill my father, but you can’t tell anyone." Select the nurse’s best response.

Choice A reason: Asking about feelings explores emotions but does not address the patient’s question about neurotransmitters. Educational queries require informative responses to enhance understanding, not redirection to feelings, making this choice non-therapeutic and incorrect for the patient’s need.

Choice B reason: Explaining neurotransmitters as brain communication chemicals directly addresses the patient’s question. It provides clear, accurate information about their role in mood and behavior, aligning with patient education principles in psychiatric nursing, making this the correct, informative response.

Choice C reason: Focusing on medication avoids explaining neurotransmitters, failing to address the patient’s educational need. It shifts focus prematurely to treatment, which may confuse the patient, making this response less effective and incorrect for providing the requested information.

Choice D reason: Deferring to the doctor dismisses the nurse’s role in patient education, undermining trust. Nurses are equipped to explain basic concepts like neurotransmitters, and this response fails to meet the patient’s need for understanding, making it non-therapeutic and incorrect.

Choice A reason: In Peplau’s orientation phase, the nurse establishes trust, fosters collaboration, and sets boundaries to build a therapeutic relationship. This foundation is critical for patients with psychiatric disorders, ensuring a safe space for engagement, making this the correct choice.

Choice B reason: Medication adherence is a clinical intervention addressed later, in the working phase, not orientation. The initial phase focuses on relationship-building, not specific treatments, making this choice incorrect for the orientation phase’s goals.

Choice C reason: Coping skill development occurs in the working phase, after trust is established. Orientation prioritizes relationship foundations like trust and boundaries, not skill-building, making this choice incorrect for the initial nurse-patient interaction phase.

Choice D reason: Long-term goals are addressed in the working or termination phases, not orientation, which focuses on establishing trust and rapport. Setting goals prematurely may hinder relationship-building, making this choice incorrect for the orientation phase.