A nurse is preparing to teach a client about the lithium prescription for treating bipolar disorder. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason:
A necklace can pose a risk for clients with suicidal tendencies as it can be used to inflict self-harm. In an acute mental health unit, it is crucial to remove any items that could potentially be used in another suicide attempt. The nurse should ensure that the environment is safe and free from objects that could be used for hanging or strangulation.

Choice B reason:
Lace-up tennis shoes have laces that can be removed and used by the client to harm themselves. It is a standard safety precaution in mental health units to remove any items with strings or laces, such as belts, drawstrings, or shoe laces, to prevent their use in self-harm or suicide attempts.

Choice C reason:
Nylon ankle socks are generally considered safe and do not typically need to be removed. They do not pose a significant risk for self-harm. Therefore, the client can keep these for personal comfort and hygiene.

Choice D reason:
Cotton underwear is a basic necessity and does not present a risk for self-harm. It is important for the client's dignity and hygiene to have access to personal undergarments while in the mental health unit.

Choice E reason:
A glass-framed picture, while sentimental, poses a risk due to the glass, which can be broken and used to inflict self-harm. For safety reasons, any items made of glass or other breakable materials should be removed from the client's access in a mental health unit.

Choice A reason:
While giving the family an opportunity to talk about their feelings is important, it is not the immediate priority for staff intervention following the incident. The family's needs are crucial, but the question specifically asks about the staff's follow-up actions.

Choice B reason:
Investigating and identifying cues in the client's behavior that might have indicated contemplation of suicide is a critical step in understanding and preventing future incidents. However, this is more of a retrospective action and not the immediate priority for staff intervention after such an event.

Choice C reason:
Providing professional counseling for staff members is the priority intervention. Staff members may experience a range of emotions, including grief, guilt, and trauma, following a client's suicide. Professional counseling can support staff in processing these feelings and prevent potential long-term psychological effects.

Choice D reason:
Changing policies for staff observation of clients who are suicidal may be necessary, but it is not the immediate priority following the incident. Policy review and changes are part of a longer-term strategy to improve care and prevent future incidents.