A nurse is planning care for a client newly admitted with major depressive disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Schedule regular weigh-in times: Monitoring the client's weight on a regular schedule is important in managing anorexia nervosa. It helps track progress and any potential complications related to weight loss.

B. Allow the client to eat at any time: For individuals with anorexia nervosa, there is typically a structured meal plan that is carefully monitored by healthcare professionals. Allowing the client to eat at any time might disrupt the planned nutritional intake.

C. Provide privacy when friends visit: Privacy is important, but it should be balanced with ensuring the client's safety and adherence to the treatment plan. Visitors might need to be supervised to prevent any behaviors that could exacerbate the disorder.

D. Compliment the client for weight gain: While support and encouragement are important, complimenting a client for weight gain might inadvertently reinforce a focus on body image and reinforce disordered eating behavior. It's crucial to provide positive reinforcement for adherence to the treatment plan and progress in recovery, rather than emphasizing weight changes.

Sharing personal information can blur the professional boundaries and might not be effective in reducing the client's suspicion. It's important to maintain a professional demeanor while building trust.

B) Approach the client frequently throughout the day for brief interactions:

While it's important to establish a presence and provide support, approaching the client too frequently might increase their discomfort and reinforce their suspicion. It's better to allow the client some personal space while ensuring they know you are available when needed.

C) Adopt a neutral attitude when providing care.

Explanation:

When dealing with a client who is extremely suspicious, it's important for the nurse to approach the situation with a neutral attitude. A neutral attitude helps to build trust and minimize any potential triggers for the client's suspicion. This approach creates a non-threatening environment where the client may feel more comfortable and gradually begin to open up.

D) Wait for the client to initiate interaction:

While giving the client space is important, waiting for them to initiate interaction might prolong the development of a therapeutic relationship. Clients who are extremely suspicious might have difficulty initiating interactions due to their concerns.