A nurse is caring for a client who has factitious disorder. The client states, "I am so tired of living like this. Maybe I should just end it all." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Assess the client for suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm.
Determine if the client has entered one of their alter personalities.
Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques.
Encourage the client to participate in group therapy sessions.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm. The client's statement about feeling tired of living and contemplating ending it all indicates a potential risk for suicide. It is essential for the nurse to conduct a thorough assessment of the client’s mental state, including any suicidal thoughts or plans, to ensure their safety.
B. Determine if the client has entered one of their alter personalities. This action is not relevant to factitious disorder, as it involves intentionally producing or feigning symptoms rather than dissociative identity disorder, which features the presence of distinct personality states.
C. Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques. While relaxation techniques can be beneficial for managing stress, they do not address the immediate risk of suicidal ideation and should not be prioritized over a safety assessment.
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy sessions. While group therapy can be beneficial, it may not be appropriate to encourage participation until the client's safety is ensured. Assessing for suicidal thoughts takes precedence to address any immediate risk to the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "I don't eat because I do not like the taste of food." Clients with anorexia nervosa typically avoid food due to intense fears of weight gain and body image concerns rather than a dislike for taste. Their restrictive eating is driven by psychological distress rather than a simple aversion to flavor.
B. "I restrict myself to 2,000 calories per day." Individuals with anorexia nervosa usually consume significantly fewer calories than recommended daily amounts. A restriction of 2,000 calories per day is within normal dietary guidelines and does not reflect the extreme caloric limitation seen in this disorder.
C. "I have certain foods, like pizza, that cause me a lot of fear." Clients with anorexia nervosa often develop strong food-related anxieties, especially about high-calorie or "forbidden" foods. Fear of specific foods is a hallmark feature of the disorder, making this the expected statement.
D. "I don't bother to track the number of calories I eat in a week." Individuals with anorexia nervosa are typically obsessive about tracking their calorie intake, often meticulously counting every calorie consumed. This level of control is a defining characteristic of the disorder.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Clients who have somatic symptom disorder exhibit more than one personality. Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by the presence of physical symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment, but it does not involve multiple personalities. This concept is more relevant to dissociative identity disorder.
B. Somatic symptom disorder impacts more women than men. Research indicates that somatic symptom disorder is more prevalent in women, making this information accurate. Women are more likely to report physical symptoms and seek medical help for them.
C. Somatic symptom disorder impacts the majority of clients who have depression. While there is a notable overlap between somatic symptom disorder and depression, it is not accurate to say that most clients with depression have somatic symptom disorder. The relationship is complex and varies among individuals.
D. Clients who have this disorder are intentionally faking their symptoms. Individuals with somatic symptom disorder genuinely experience distress related to their symptoms. Unlike factitious disorder, where symptoms are intentionally produced, clients with somatic symptom disorder do not intentionally fake their symptoms.
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