Which client is best to assign to the practical nurse (PN) who is assisting the registered nurse (RN) with the care of a group of clients?

The correct answer is Choice C

Choice A rationale: This question prematurely assumes the client is experiencing command hallucinations, which are auditory hallucinations instructing the individual to perform specific actions, often dangerous. Scientifically, this bypasses the essential diagnostic step of characterizing the hallucination type. Without understanding onset, frequency, and context, asking about obedience risks escalating paranoia or defensiveness. Psychiatric assessment requires chronological and phenomenological data before evaluating risk. Prematurely probing intent may compromise rapport and hinder accurate clinical evaluation.

Choice B rationale: While substance-induced psychosis is a differential diagnosis, asking about hallucinogen use before establishing the nature and onset of symptoms may be perceived as accusatory. Scientifically, the DSM-5 criteria for substance-induced psychotic disorder require temporal correlation between substance use and symptom onset. Without knowing when the voices began, this question lacks diagnostic precision. A thorough psychiatric history must precede substance screening to avoid bias and ensure accurate etiological classification of hallucinations.

Choice C rationale: Establishing the onset of auditory hallucinations is foundational in psychiatric assessment. Scientifically, the timeline helps differentiate between transient, substance-induced, and chronic psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Early onset may suggest prodromal schizophrenia, while abrupt onset could indicate delirium or drug-induced psychosis. Understanding duration also informs risk stratification and treatment planning. This question respects clinical sequencing, allowing the nurse to gather essential data before exploring content, belief, or behavioral response to hallucinations.

Choice D rationale: Exploring the client’s belief about the reality of voices is part of assessing insight, but it should follow initial characterization of the hallucinations. Scientifically, insight evaluation helps determine the severity of psychosis and guides treatment adherence predictions. However, asking this prematurely may confuse or distress the client. Insight is typically assessed after establishing symptom chronology, frequency, and impact. Premature probing of belief risks misinterpretation and may hinder therapeutic engagement in early assessment stages.

Choice B rationale:

Explaining that the client will start to lose consciousness and the body systems will slow down is the best response. This is a common pattern in the dying process, and it provides the wife with a clear and compassionate explanation of what to expect as her husband's death approaches.

Choice A rationale:

Gathering information regarding how long it will take for the children to arrive is important but does not address the immediate need for information on the dying process.

Choice C rationale:

Offering to discuss the client's health status with each of the adult children is a good approach for involving them in their father's care but does not provide the immediate information the wife is seeking.

Choice D rationale:

Reassuring the spouse that the healthcare provider will notify when to call the children does not offer information about the dying process itself, which is what the wife is interested in understanding.