The nurse provides care to a patient who is mechanically ventilated. Which nursing action is most effective in decreasing the risk for aspiration?

A. Dopamine: Dopamine is mainly involved in motivation, pleasure, and movement. Deficiencies are linked to Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia rather than sleep and memory issues.

B. Serotonin: Serotonin plays a major role in regulating sleep, mood, and cognitive function. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression, sleep disturbances, and memory problems.

C. Norepinephrine: Norepinephrine is involved in alertness and the fight-or-flight response. While it affects attention and arousal, its deficiency is less directly linked to sleep dysregulation and memory loss.

D. Histamine: Histamine is primarily involved in wakefulness and allergic responses. While it plays a role in arousal, it is not the primary neurotransmitter for sleep regulation and memory.

A. Allow the client time alone to self-reflect.: Suicidal clients should not be left alone. They require immediate assessment and intervention.

B. Reassure the client that everything is going to work out.: Offering false reassurance can invalidate the client’s feelings and may discourage further discussion of their distress.

C. Ask the client about the lethality of their plan.: The nurse should assess the specifics of the client’s plan to determine the level of risk. A detailed, lethal plan indicates a higher suicide risk and requires immediate intervention.

D. Encourage the client to focus on the positive aspects of life.: While positive reinforcement is helpful, it does not address the immediate risk of suicide. The nurse should prioritize risk assessment and safety.