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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Employment assistance. While employment support is valuable for clients with schizophrenia, housing stability should be prioritized first. A client without a place to live may struggle to maintain a job, making housing support the more immediate concern.
B. Psychiatrist. A psychiatrist plays a crucial role in managing schizophrenia through medication and therapy. However, the client’s immediate need is housing, which falls outside the psychiatrist’s primary role and is better addressed by a social worker.
C. Social worker. A social worker can assist with housing placement, financial aid, and community resources for individuals experiencing homelessness. They are the most appropriate referral to help the client secure stable living arrangements.
D. Spiritual advisor. While spiritual guidance may provide emotional support, it does not directly address the client’s urgent need for housing. The primary intervention should focus on securing a safe and stable place to live.
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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