The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing extreme sadness after the passing of a companion of 30 years. The client describes not being able to think of other things and finds it difficult to control emotions. Which action should the nurse take first?

Explore changes in life that have occurred after the loss.

Suggest the need for a psychiatric consultation.

Offer a referral to pastoral counseling.

Encourage attending a local support group.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:
Exploring changes in life that have occurred after the loss is the first action the nurse should take. This allows the nurse to assess the client's grief, identify specific stressors, and understand how the loss is impacting the client's daily life and emotional well-being. It provides valuable information for tailoring further interventions and support.

Choice B rationale:
Suggesting the need for a psychiatric consultation may be premature as the nurse should first assess the client's grief and coping mechanisms. Referral for psychiatric consultation should be considered if the client's emotional distress is severe, persistent, or significantly impacting their functioning.

Choice C rationale:
Offering a referral to pastoral counseling may be appropriate for some clients, but it should not be the first action. The nurse should assess the client's needs and preferences before making such a referral.

Choice D rationale:
Encouraging attendance at a local support group can be beneficial, but it should not be the initial step. The nurse should first assess the client's current emotional state and needs to determine the most appropriate interventions.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Postponing the interview until the next day may not be necessary and could delay necessary assessment and care.
Choice B rationale:
Documenting the client's paranoid behavior is important but should be done after the nurse attempts to engage with the client.
Choice C rationale:
Attempting to ask the client simple questions is a non-threatening approach that allows the nurse to start the assessment and establish some rapport. It respects the client's need for space while initiating communication.
Choice D rationale:
Asking another nurse to talk with the client may be an option later if the client remains uncooperative, but the nurse should first attempt to engage with the client directly.

A. "I just feel like my life is filled with emptiness." B. "I have three firearms locked in a safe at home." C. "My daughter is the only reason I keep trying." D. "My panic attacks happen once every month."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
This statement expresses the client's emotional state but does not provide information about immediate access to lethal means.

Choice B rationale:
This comment is the most crucial to document because it indicates the client's access to potentially lethal means, which is a significant risk factor for committing suicide.

Choice C rationale:
This statement provides information about a source of support in the client's life but does not indicate immediate access to lethal methods.

Choice D rationale:
This statement provides information about the frequency of panic attacks but does not indicate immediate access to lethal means.

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The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing extreme sadness after the passing of a companion of 30 years. The client describes not being able to think of other things and finds it difficult to control emotions. Which action should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is admitted to the mental health unit and sits in the corner of the day room. When the nurse begins the admission assessment interview, the client is guarded, suspicious, and resists talking. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client is admitted to the hospital with suicidal ideation. When completing the health history and admission assessment interview, which client comment is most important for the nurse to document?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse plans to use role-playing as a therapeutic measure. Which individual is most likely to benefit from this type of therapeutic intervention?

A client with depression does not want to communicate with friends, uses television watching as a means of escaping responsibilities, and describes the inability to handle personal circumstances. Which coping strategy should the nurse include in the plan of care?

The nurse is assessing a client who reports using cocaine several times in the past week. Which observations should the nurse expect on assessment?

The nurse is using the CAGE questionnaire as a screening tool for a client who is seeking help because his wife said he had a drinking problem. Which information should the nurse explore in-depth with the client based on this screening tool?

During a routine assessment at an outpatient clinic, the nurse notes that a client has abdominal obesity and a high waist-hip ratio, with a body mass index of 32 kg/m2. Which action(s) should the nurse take in response to these findings? (Select all that apply.)

A middle-aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor retardation, hypersomnia, and motivation. Which intervention is likely to be most effective in returning this client to a normal level of functioning?

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?