ATI RN Mental Health 2019 NGN
ATI RN Mental Health 2019 NGN ( 63 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to a mental health facility after attempting suicide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Asking the client to sign a no-suicide contract is not the first action the nurse should take. While such contracts are used in some settings to engage clients in their own safety planning, they are not a guarantee against self-harm and should not be the initial step in managing a client at immediate risk of suicide.
Implementing continuous one-to-one observation is the priority when caring for a client who has attempted suicide. This ensures the client's safety and prevents further harm. Continuous observation allows the nurse to closely monitor the client's behavior and intervene immediately if any signs of self-harm or suicidal intent emerge.
Establishing a rapport to foster trust is important for the overall care of the client, but it is not the first action when the client's safety is at immediate risk. Safety takes precedence over building rapport in this scenario.
Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy is not appropriate as the first action. Group therapy can be beneficial for clients with mental health challenges, but in this situation, the client's safety is the most urgent concern.