A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What should the nurse say first?

Choice A rationale:

Providing strategies for redirecting violent behavior is a relevant intervention for individuals with borderline personality disorder, as they may exhibit impulsive and aggressive behaviors. However, it is not the priority in this situation. The immediate focus should be on ensuring the client's safety and preventing self-harm.

Strategies for redirecting violent behavior can be implemented once the client's safety is stabilized. These strategies might include:

De-escalation techniques

Distraction techniques

Time-outs

Setting clear boundaries and expectations

Teaching coping skills for managing anger and frustration Choice B rationale:

Exploring reasons for her behavior is important for understanding the underlying issues that contribute to the client's selfharming behaviors. However, it is not the priority in the initial phase of treatment. The focus should be on ensuring the client's immediate safety and preventing harm.

Once the client is stabilized, exploring the reasons for her behavior can be done through individual therapy, group therapy, or other therapeutic modalities. This exploration can help the client gain insight into her patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Choice C rationale:

Encouraging the client to talk about her feelings is a valuable therapeutic intervention, as it can help the client express and process emotions in a healthy way. However, it is not the priority in the context of borderline personality disorder, where the risk of self-harm is high.

Encouraging emotional expression can be beneficial once the client's safety is ensured and appropriate coping skills are in place. This can be done through individual therapy, journaling, or other expressive arts therapies.

Choice D rationale:

Protecting the client from self-harm behavior is the nurse's priority when working with a client who has borderline personality disorder. This is because individuals with this disorder have a high risk of engaging in self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, burning, or overdosing on medication.

It is important to implement various safety measures to protect the client, including:

Close observation and monitoring

Removal of potentially harmful objects from the environment

Clear communication of expectations and boundaries

Collaboration with the healthcare team to develop a comprehensive safety plan

Regular assessment of suicide risk

The correct answer is D. Limit the client’s participation in group activities.

Explanation:

Clients with schizophrenia and paranoia may struggle in large group settings, where they could misinterpret interactions, feel threatened, or become agitated. Gradual integration into smaller, structured groups is typically recommended, rather than full exclusion, but limiting group participation can help reduce anxiety and prevent aggressive behaviors.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• A. Place the client in seclusion if she is experiencing visual hallucinations – Seclusion is only used if the client poses a danger to themselves or others. Experiencing hallucinations alone does not warrant seclusion.

• B. Minimize staff supervision of the client’s interactions with others – Increased supervision is necessary to ensure safety and monitor behavioral cues that may indicate escalating aggression.

• C. Directly tell the client that delusions are not real – Confronting delusions outright can lead to agitation. Instead, acknowledge the client’s feelings while gently redirecting toward reality-based interactions.