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Administering medication may help reduce agitation, but it is not the first-line intervention in an acute crisis. Medication takes time to act and does not immediately address the safety threat. It is more appropriate after initial de-escalation efforts have failed or in conjunction with other strategies.

Restraints are considered a last resort due to their physical and psychological risks. They should only be used when all other interventions have failed and there is imminent danger to the client or others.

Seclusion is also a restrictive intervention and should only be used when less restrictive measures are ineffective. It may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the priority unless the client cannot be managed safely through verbal de-escalation and limit-setting.

While understanding family dynamics is important for long-term management, it does not address immediate safety concerns. It is more relevant during psychosocial assessments or discharge planning.

This question may assess judgment or abstract thinking but is not a priority in acute assessment. It is more appropriate in cognitive or neuropsychological evaluations.

Asking about favorite color is irrelevant to psychiatric assessment and does not provide useful clinical information.

Pressured speech is a common symptom of mania but does not pose an immediate safety risk. It may interfere with communication but is not the most urgent concern.

Impaired problem-solving affects decision-making but is not inherently dangerous unless it leads to risky behavior. It is important but not the top priority.

Increased self-confidence may reflect grandiosity, which is typical in mania. Unless it leads to dangerous behavior, it is not the most critical issue.

Clients with severe mental illness retain the right to create psychiatric advance directives unless legally deemed incompetent. Denying this right violates autonomy and federal protections.

While a provider’s order is required for restraints, the priority is immediate safety. In emergencies, restraints may be applied first with a verbal order followed by a written one.

Clients may withdraw consent verbally or in writing. Requiring written withdrawal exclusively is overly restrictive and not supported by ethical or legal standards.

Disulfiram is used for long-term abstinence by inducing aversive reactions to alcohol. It is contraindicated during acute withdrawal due to risk of worsening symptoms.

Naltrexone is used for relapse prevention by reducing cravings. It is not appropriate during withdrawal and may precipitate symptoms if opioids are present.

Haloperidol may be used for agitation or hallucinations but does not address the autonomic instability of withdrawal. It is not a primary treatment for tremors or elevated vitals.

Difficulty recognizing objects (agnosia) is expected in dementia progression and does not require immediate reporting unless it leads to safety concerns.

Loss of interest (anhedonia) is a hallmark of depression but not an acute change requiring urgent intervention unless accompanied by suicidal ideation.

Rapid weight gain may indicate metabolic syndrome or fluid retention, but without other symptoms, it is not immediately life-threatening.

Suggesting contact with the hospital may indirectly confirm the person is hospitalized, breaching confidentiality.

Redirecting to the high school is irrelevant and does not address the confidentiality concern appropriately.

Offering any information, even vague reassurance, violates confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Equal time allocation is part of equitable care but does not reflect advocacy, which involves active representation of client interests.

Providing emotional support is compassionate but not advocacy unless it involves acting on the client’s behalf.

Educating clients is essential but is a standard nursing role. Advocacy involves going beyond education to ensure client preferences are honored.

Sleep disturbances are more typical in moderate to severe stages. Daytime sleepiness may occur but is not a defining early symptom.

Occasional poor judgment can occur in healthy aging. In Alzheimer’s, poor decision-making becomes more frequent and impactful.

Forgetting the day of the week may happen occasionally, but consistent disorientation is more characteristic of later stages.

Aggressive behavior may be part of the client’s psychiatric presentation. Unless it results in harm or requires emergency intervention, it may not meet the threshold for an incident report unless facility policy dictates otherwise.

Missing a therapy session is not typically considered an incident unless it results in harm or is part of a pattern requiring intervention. It should be documented in progress notes, not an incident report.

Refusal to leave the room may indicate worsening depression but does not constitute an incident unless it leads to harm or safety concerns. It should be addressed in the care plan.