The nurse asks the client "What was it like for you when you first knew you had no place to go?" The client looks down and pauses for some time. What actions by the nurse is the most therapeutic?

A. Assist the client in addressing a specific problem: While Maslow’s hierarchy can help identify underlying needs that may contribute to a specific problem, it is not primarily used for addressing specific problems directly. Instead, it provides a framework for understanding the broader context of a client’s needs.
B. Change a client's behavior: Maslow’s hierarchy is not specifically designed to change behavior. It is more about understanding the different levels of needs that motivate behavior. Behavior change might be a result of addressing these needs, but it is not the primary purpose of the hierarchy.
C. Establish a therapeutic relationship: Understanding a client’s needs according to Maslow’s hierarchy can help build rapport and trust, which are essential for a therapeutic relationship. However, the primary use of the hierarchy is not to establish relationships but to understand and prioritize needs.
D. Prioritize care: This is the most accurate use of Maslow’s hierarchy. It helps nurses prioritize care by addressing the most fundamental needs first (such as physiological and safety needs) before moving on to higher-level needs (such as love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization). This ensures that the most critical needs are met first, which is essential in a healthcare setting.

A. Persons who engage in fantasies are mentally ill: Incorrect. Engaging in fantasies is a normal part of human cognition and does not indicate mental illness.
B. It is easy to determine if a person is mentally healthy or mentally ill: Incorrect. Mental health is complex and multifaceted, making it difficult to clearly distinguish between mental health and illness without thorough assessment.
C. Behavior that may be viewed as acceptable in one culture is always unacceptable in other cultures: Incorrect. Cultural norms vary widely, and what is acceptable in one culture may be unacceptable in another, but not always.
D. In most cases, mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness evidenced by satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective behavior and coping, positive self-concept, and emotional stability: Correct. This statement accurately describes the holistic nature of mental health.