During a one-to-one session with the nurse, a female client admitted for chronic depression and attempted suicide discloses experiences of sexual promiscuity and prostitution. When the nurse asks the client if she was ever sexually abused as a child, the client says, “I don’t remember, but my mother ran my father off when I was five.” The nurse should recognize that the client may be using which defense mechanism?

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?

An adolescent who is exhibiting a depressed affect receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which comparison of the client’s behavior before and after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?

A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) receives a new prescription for lorazepam. Which statement provided by the client requires additional instruction by the nurse?

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?

An older man with a history of multiple falls at home tells the clinic nurse that his son, who was incarcerated last year for assault and battery, has become increasingly abusive since his release from prison six weeks ago. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities, talks with nonsensical words, and wanders into client’s rooms. The nurse decides that the client needs constant observation based on which of these assessment findings?

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?

The nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about assertive communication. Two of the adolescents are seated at a round table and another is sitting on a small sofa nearby. To facilitate group interaction, which intervention is best for the nurse to implement?

A homeless female client who reports feeling sad and depressed tells the mental health nurse that in the past two days, the client has only had four hours of sleep. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement within the first 24 hours after treatment is initiated?

Which individual should the nurse consider at the highest risk for suicide?