A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is to begin taking aripiprazole.
The nurse should identify that which of the following findings is a contraindication for aripiprazole therapy?

Choice A rationale:

Asking how the event is affecting the client's life is important, but it is not the priority during a situational crisis. Safety and assessing for self-harm thoughts come first.

Choice B rationale:

This question is the priority because it assesses the client's safety and potential for self-harm, which is crucial during a crisis. If the client is having thoughts of self-harm, immediate intervention is required.

Choice C rationale:

Inquiring about the client's coping strategies is relevant, but it is not the primary concern when there is a potential risk of self-harm.

Choice D rationale:

Asking about who the client talks to for help is important but not the primary concern in a situation where self-harm may be a risk.

Choice A rationale:

"Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about checking the locks.”. This choice suggests using a painful stimulus (the rubber band snap) as part of the thought-stopping technique. While it may interrupt the client's behavior temporarily, it is not a recommended or ethical approach, as it can cause harm and distress to the client.

Choice B rationale:

"Keep a journal of how often you check the locks each night.”. Keeping a journal may be useful for tracking behavior patterns, but it doesn't address the core issue of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is essential to provide the client with a more active technique for managing their compulsions, like the one mentioned in choice C.

Choice D rationale:

"Ask a family member to check the locks for you at night.”. This choice does not promote independence or self-management, which is an important goal in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may alleviate the client's anxiety temporarily but does not help the client develop skills to manage their obsessive-compulsive tendencies on their own.

Choice C rationale:

"Focus on abdominal breathing whenever you go to check the locks.”. This response is the most appropriate because it recommends a self-soothing and grounding technique (abdominal breathing) to help the client manage their obsessive thoughts and compulsions. It encourages the client to be more mindful and reduce the urge to perform repetitive behaviors, which is a key aspect of treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. .