A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has severe depression following the loss of her spouse. When identifying client goals, which of the following goals should the nurse identify as the highest priority?
The client will identify positive qualities about herself.
The client will identify ways to achieve a reachable goal for the future.
The client will identify her position in the grief process.
The client will contact a staff member when she feels she might hurt herself.
The Correct Answer is D
D. This goal addresses the immediate safety and well-being of the client. Depression, especially severe depression, can increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors. It is crucial to ensure the client's safety and have measures in place for her to reach out for help if she feels overwhelmed or unsafe.
A. While this is an important goal for improving self-esteem and mood, it may not be the highest priority when the client's safety is at risk.
B. This goal focuses on future planning and motivation, which is important for recovery but may not be as urgent as ensuring immediate safety.
C. Understanding one's grief process is important for emotional healing, but it is not typically as critical as ensuring safety in the immediate term.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. This is the most appropriate initial action. One-to-one observation ensures constant monitoring of the client's safety and prevents further harm, such as another suicide attempt or self-harm. Given the client's history of depression and recent suicide attempt, ensuring their safety is paramount.
A. This option is not the first priority because while addressing anorexia nervosa is important, safety concerns related to the suicide attempt and potential substance abuse take precedence. Making a weight gain contract requires the client's cooperation and readiness, which may not be feasible immediately upon admission.
C. While assessing the severity of depression is crucial, it is secondary to ensuring immediate safety in this context. The client's safety must be established first through continuous observation and intervention.
D. While important to understand the substances involved in the suicide attempt, this action is secondary to ensuring ongoing safety through direct observation. Toxicology results can guide subsequent treatment decisions but are not as urgent as immediate safety measures.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This response acknowledges the client's feelings of helplessness, which can validate her experience and promote further discussion about her emotions and challenges related to her eating disorder. It shows empathy and encourages the client to explore her feelings.
B. While this question is open-ended and invites the client to explore the underlying reasons for her behavior, it might inadvertently suggest that the client should have insights or control over her behavior that she may not currently possess. It could potentially make the client feel blamed or misunderstood if she cannot provide a clear answer.
C. This response is directive and judgmental, which can lead to the client feeling criticized or defensive. It does not acknowledge the complexity of the client's experience and may not be effective in building rapport or promoting trust between the nurse and client.
D This response acknowledges the client's self-awareness and validates her recognition of the problem, which can be empowering and supportive. It reinforces the positive step the client has taken in acknowledging the issue without placing blame or judgment.
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