A nurse is caring for a client following a suicide attempt.
The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Administering the Hamilton Depression Scale.

Making a contract with the client for eating behavior.

Reviewing the client's toxicology laboratory report.

Initiating one to one continuous observation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Administering the Hamilton Depression Scale is a tool used to assess the severity of depression. While it can provide valuable information about the client's mental state, it is not the priority intervention in this case. The client has already attempted suicide, indicating a high level of risk. It is essential to focus on ensuring the client's immediate safety before conducting further assessments.

Rationale for Choice B:

Making a contract with the client for eating behavior can be a helpful intervention for clients with anorexia nervosa. However, it is not the priority in the immediate aftermath of a suicide attempt. The client's safety must take precedence over addressing their eating disorder.

Rationale for Choice C:

Reviewing the client's toxicology laboratory report can provide information about the substances the client ingested in their suicide attempt. However, this information is not necessary for determining the immediate course of action. The priority is to initiate safety measures to prevent another attempt.

Rationale for Choice D:

Initiating one-to-one continuous observation is the most critical intervention for a client who has recently attempted suicide. This level of observation ensures that the client is constantly monitored and cannot make another attempt without being interrupted. It also allows the nurse to assess the client's mental state and behaviors closely and intervene if necessary.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The correct answer is choice b. Administer the morning dose of lithium.

Choice A rationale:

Preparing for gastric lavage is unnecessary because a lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) and does not indicate toxicity.

Choice B rationale:

Administering the morning dose of lithium is appropriate as the current lithium level is within the therapeutic range, indicating that the medication is being managed correctly.

Choice C rationale:

Holding the medication and assessing for early manifestations of toxicity is not necessary since the lithium level is not indicative of toxicity. Toxicity typically occurs at levels above 1.5 mEq/L.

Choice D rationale:

Checking the client’s medication record to assess whether the client has been refusing her lithium is not relevant in this scenario because the lithium level is within the therapeutic range, suggesting compliance with the medication regimen.

A. The client is unwilling to accept that treatment is needed. B. The client states that she plans to move out of the state immediately. C. The client is a danger to herself or others. D. The client states that she does not like the neighbor.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

While a client's unwillingness to accept treatment can be a challenge, it does not, in and of itself, meet the criteria for involuntary hospitalization beyond the initial 72-hour hold.

Forced treatment without a clear and imminent risk of harm can violate a patient's autonomy and rights.

It's crucial for healthcare professionals to balance a patient's right to self-determination with the need to protect individuals from harm.

Choice B rationale:

A client's plan to move out of state, even if it's considered a disruptive decision, does not constitute grounds for involuntary hospitalization.

Individuals have the right to freedom of movement and to make choices about their life, even if those choices are perceived as unwise or problematic.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct answer because it aligns with the fundamental principle of involuntary hospitalization: to protect individuals who pose a serious risk of harm to themselves or others due to a mental health condition.

This rationale is rooted in the ethical and legal obligation to prevent harm and ensure public safety.

Choice D rationale:

A client's dislike of a neighbor is not a valid reason for involuntary hospitalization. Personal opinions or feelings, even if negative, do not automatically translate into a risk of harm that would justify involuntary confinement.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client following a suicide attempt.The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in an acute care mental health facility is preparing to administer morning medication to a client who has been taking lithium for 2 weeks and has a current lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse in a psychiatric unit is admitting a client who attacked a neighbor.The nurse should know that the client can be kept in the hospital after the 72-hour hold is over for which of the following conditions?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A mental health nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who has generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The client received a telephone call that was upsetting, and now the client is pacing up and down the corridors of the unit.Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa. The nurse is assessing the client during a follow-up visit.Which of the following findings indicate a therapeutic response to the treatment plan? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for an adolescent female who has an eating disorder.The client is 162.6 cm (64 in) tall and weighs 38.56 kg (85 lb). Upon assessment, which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse on an acute mental health unit is caring for a group of clients. For which of the following clients is seclusion contraindicated?

A nurse is assessing an adolescent female client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 300 mg PO every 8 hr. Available is lithium carbonate 150 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A nurse is caring for a client following a suicide attempt.The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

A nurse is caring for a client following a suicide attempt.
The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?