A nurse is providing information to a client who is seeking voluntary admission to a mental health facility. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Allowing the client to eat in their room is not appropriate because clients with anorexia nervosa often isolate themselves and may attempt to avoid eating or hide food. Supervised meals in a communal or monitored setting are necessary to ensure adequate intake and prevent food avoidance behaviors.

Choice B reason: Obtaining vital signs only once per day is insufficient. Clients with anorexia nervosa are at risk for severe complications such as bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, and electrolyte imbalances. Frequent monitoring is required to detect early signs of medical instability. Once daily vital signs would miss important changes.

Choice C reason: Weighing the client daily after the first voiding is the correct intervention. This ensures consistency and accuracy in monitoring weight trends, as voiding eliminates the variable of bladder volume. Daily weights are essential for tracking progress, evaluating treatment effectiveness, and identifying rapid changes that may indicate medical risk.

Choice D reason: Allowing the client to determine their daily calorie intake is inappropriate because individuals with anorexia nervosa often severely restrict calories. Nutritional intake must be carefully planned and supervised by the healthcare team to promote gradual weight restoration and prevent refeeding syndrome.

Choice A reason: Checking on the client every 30 minutes is not frequent enough for a client who has recently attempted suicide. Standard suicide precautions require continuous observation or checks every 15 minutes to ensure safety. Every 30 minutes leaves too much time for potential self-harm.

Choice B reason: Requesting family members to bring personal hygiene items from home is unsafe because these items may include sharp objects such as razors, scissors, or glass containers. Allowing unscreened items into the client’s environment increases the risk of self-harm.

Choice C reason: Providing plastic eating utensils is the correct intervention because it minimizes the risk of self-injury. Metal utensils can be broken or sharpened into dangerous objects, while plastic utensils are safer and reduce opportunities for harm. This intervention aligns with suicide precautions.

Choice D reason: Keeping the client’s door closed at night is unsafe because it prevents staff from easily observing the client. Doors should remain open or observation should be unobstructed to allow continuous monitoring and rapid intervention if needed.