A male client, assessed in the emergency department (ED), has a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The client denies thoughts of harm to self or others, and the healthcare provider discharges the client. As the client begins to leave, the nurse overhears the client mumble, “Now I’m going to shoot myself.” Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Inquire about the client’s support system.

Ask the client to repeat his comment.

Stop the client from leaving the ED.

Record the statement in the client’s chart.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A.   Inquiring about the client’s support system may be important, but the immediate concern is the statement indicating a potential risk of harm.
B.   Asking the client to repeat the comment may not be as effective as taking immediate action to prevent harm.
C. Stopping the client from leaving the ED is the priority to ensure the client's safety and prevent the potential act of self-harm.
D.   Recording the statement in the client's chart is important but should be done after taking immediate action to address the potential risk.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Determine the client’s reason for attempting suicide: While assessing suicidal intent is important, the immediate priority is ensuring the client's physiological stability. Suicidal ideation can be addressed once the client is medically stable.

B. Obtain the client’s serum hydrocodone/acetaminophen level: This may be ordered, but it is not the highest priority. Clinical observation is more urgent, especially because naloxone has a shorter half-life than many opioids, including hydrocodone.

C. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake: This is not a priority intervention in the immediate post-overdose period and does not address the risk of opioid rebound toxicity.

D. Observe the client for further narcotic effects: Naloxone has a short duration of action (typically 30–90 minutes), whereas hydrocodone has a longer half-life. Once naloxone wears off, respiratory depression and sedation can recur. Continuous monitoring is critical to ensure timely re-administration if opioid effects return.

A. Assess intake and output. B. Monitor for wheezing and apnea. C. Limit visitors to family members only. D. Assign the client to a teen support group.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Assessing intake and output is important for overall monitoring but does not address the specific concerns related to heroin detoxification.
B. Monitoring for wheezing and apnea is crucial during the first 24 hours after admission for heroin detoxification to ensure respiratory stability.
C. Limiting visitors is a general precaution but may not be the most important intervention related to the physiological effects of heroin detoxification.
D. Assigning the client to a teen support group is a valuable intervention for overall support but may not address the immediate physiological concerns of heroin detoxification.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Naloxone is administered to an adult client following a suicide attempt with an overdose of hydrocodone bitartrate. Within 15 minutes, the client is alert and oriented. In planning nursing care, which intervention has the highest priority at this time?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

An adolescent who is a heroin addict is admitted to the unit for detoxification. What intervention is most important for the nurse to initiate during the first 24 hours after admission?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia has been receiving haloperidol for the past year, and the treatment plan includes moving the client to a lower maintenance dosage. Which intervention should the nurse include in this client’s plan of care? (Select all that apply)

The nurse develops a plan of care for a female client who scratches her wrists in attempts to deal with anxiety. Which client outcome is most important to include in the plan of care?

An older man with a history of multiple falls at home tells the clinic nurse that his son, who was incarcerated last year for assault and battery, has become increasingly abusive since his release from prison six weeks ago. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

During a high school substance abuse class, a student tells the group, “I know that marijuana is not addicting, so why shouldn’t I use it? Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

The nurse is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the antipsychotic medication was discontinued several days ago. Which medication should also be discontinued?

A male client with known auditory hallucinations begins talking loudly and gesturing wildly while in the unit’s day room. Which action should the nurse implement first?

An adolescent who is exhibiting a depressed affect receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which comparison of the client’s behavior before and after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?

The nurse is leading a group on the inpatient psychiatric unit. Which approach should the nurse use during the working phase of group development?