A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of depression and is experiencing a situational crisis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: Asking why the client wants notes may seem dismissive, not addressing legal rights; stating notes are excluded is correct. Assuming curiosity is the focus risks alienating the client, critical to avoid in ensuring respectful, compliant handling of medical record requests in psychotherapy.

Choice B reason: Stating no benefit from notes is judgmental, not addressing legal access; notes are typically excluded from records. Assuming benefit assessment is appropriate risks undermining autonomy, critical to prevent in ensuring ethical, client-centered responses to psychotherapy record requests in mental health care.

Choice C reason: Therapist’s notes are often excluded from releasable records under HIPAA, as they are personal process notes. This response is legally accurate, critical for compliance, ensuring client rights to records while protecting therapeutic notes, supporting ethical practice in mental health clinic settings.

Choice D reason: Asking about treatment satisfaction deflects from the records request; stating notes are excluded is accurate. Assuming dissatisfaction is the issue risks miscommunication, potentially reducing trust, critical to avoid in ensuring clear, compliant responses to client requests for psychotherapy notes.

Choice A reason: Discussing preferences for repositioning schedules is secondary to assessing physical ability in stroke clients, who may have hemiplegia. Evaluating ability ensures safety. Assuming preferences are priority risks unsafe repositioning, potentially causing falls, critical to avoid in ensuring safe mobility and care for stroke patients.

Choice B reason: Evaluating the client’s ability to assist with repositioning is critical post-stroke to assess motor function, ensuring safe technique and preventing injury. This informs whether assistive devices or additional staff are needed, essential for reducing fall risk, promoting recovery, and tailoring care to the client’s physical capacity.

Choice C reason: Repositioning without assistive devices is unsafe for stroke clients with potential weakness or paralysis, risking falls or strain. Evaluating ability is priority. Assuming no devices are needed risks injury, critical to prevent in ensuring safe handling, supporting recovery, and maintaining safety in stroke rehabilitation care.

Choice D reason: Raising side rails ensures safety but is secondary to evaluating the client’s ability to assist, which guides repositioning technique. Assuming rails are the first step risks overlooking physical capacity, potentially leading to unsafe repositioning, critical to avoid in preventing falls and ensuring safe care for stroke clients.