An adult client presents to the community mental health center accompanied by the client’s spouse who reports that the client has been acting impulsively. The client has spent a large amount of money lately, made several last-minute decisions to take trips, sleeps only 2 to 4 hours a night, and has lost 33 pounds (15 kg) in the last 2 months. Which nursing problem has the greatest nursing priority?

The nurse is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the antipsychotic medication was discontinued several days ago. Which medication should also be discontinued?

While assessing a client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia who wears dentures, the nurse observes that the client’s tongue is “worming”. The client also demonstrates an inability to articulate words clearly. Which additional assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

A male client with schizophrenia continues to talk to others on the mental health unit using tangential speech. What intervention should the nurse implement?

Naloxone is administered to an adult client following a suicide attempt with an overdose of hydrocodone bitartrate. Within 15 minutes, the client is alert and oriented. In planning nursing care, which intervention has the highest priority at this time?

A male client with known auditory hallucinations begins talking loudly and gesturing wildly while in the unit’s day room. Which action should the nurse implement first?

A male client tells the nurse that he has an IQ of 400+ and is a genius and an inventor. He also reports that he is married to a female movie star and thinks that his brother wants a sexual relationship with her. Which is the priority nursing problem for admission to the psychiatric unit?

An adolescent male who was arrested a month ago for gang-related activities has a court order to attend weekly group therapy sessions at the mental health clinic. Today his mother calls the clinic nurse to report that her son became angry last night and put his fist through a window. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

A client with paranoia is admitted to the mental health unit and immediately goes to the corner of the room and sits quietly without communicating. In approaching the client, what intervention should the nurse implement first?

After meeting with a healthcare provider, a client who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder is screaming and stomping both feet while pacing the hallway. Which action should the nurse take?

An adult client presents to the community mental health center accompanied by the client’s spouse who reports that the client has been acting impulsively. The client has spent a large amount of money lately, made several last-minute decisions to take trips, sleeps only 2 to 4 hours a night, and has lost 33 pounds (15 kg) in the last 2 months. Which nursing problem has the greatest nursing priority?