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?

Determine the client’s reason for attempting suicide.

Obtain the client’s serum hydrocodone/acetaminophen level.

Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.

Observe the client for further narcotic effects.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Determine the client’s reason for attempting suicide: While assessing suicidal intent is important, the immediate priority is ensuring the client's physiological stability. Suicidal ideation can be addressed once the client is medically stable.

B. Obtain the client’s serum hydrocodone/acetaminophen level: This may be ordered, but it is not the highest priority. Clinical observation is more urgent, especially because naloxone has a shorter half-life than many opioids, including hydrocodone.

C. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake: This is not a priority intervention in the immediate post-overdose period and does not address the risk of opioid rebound toxicity.

D. Observe the client for further narcotic effects: Naloxone has a short duration of action (typically 30–90 minutes), whereas hydrocodone has a longer half-life. Once naloxone wears off, respiratory depression and sedation can recur. Continuous monitoring is critical to ensure timely re-administration if opioid effects return.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Allowing the client to rest and sleep is a priority, as sleep deprivation can exacerbate symptoms of depression. Addressing immediate physical needs is crucial.
B. Planning for discharge can be addressed later in the treatment process; the immediate focus should be on ensuring the client's basic needs are met.
C. Encouraging verbalization of feelings is important but should not take precedence over addressing the client's sleep deprivation.
D. Ensuring the client attends groups addressing coping skills for dealing with depression is valuable but may be addressed after the client has had sufficient rest. Prioritizing sleep helps address the most immediate concern.

A. Provide the client with a written hospital policy regarding privacy of information laws. B. Tell the client that confidentiality will be maintained, except when one’s safety is threatened. C. Nod in the affirmative, but make no verbal commitment to the client. D. Assure the client that information provided will be shared with the staff only.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Providing the client with written information about privacy laws is a good practice, but a verbal explanation is also necessary to address the immediate concern.
B. This response provides accurate information about confidentiality while acknowledging exceptions when safety is at risk.
C. Non-verbal gestures may be ambiguous and could lead to misunderstandings. It's important to communicate clearly with the client.
D. Assuring the client that information will be shared only with the staff may not be entirely accurate, as there are situations where confidentiality must be breached, such as when safety is a concern.

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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?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

While visiting the community mental health center, a client with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder asks the nurse if what is shared with the staff will be shared with family members. How should the nurse respond to this client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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