A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for chlorpromazine. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. Hyperactivity: While some individuals with eating disorders may engage in excessive physical activity as a form of compensatory behavior, hyperactivity is not a consistent and universal manifestation.

B. Amenorrhea: Adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, often experience amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) due to hormonal imbalances and low body weight.

C. Verbalized desire to gain weight: Individuals with eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, often express a strong desire to lose weight rather than gain weight, which contributes to their restrictive eating habits.

D. Altered body image: Eating disorders are often associated with distorted body image, where individuals perceive themselves as overweight or larger than they actually are, even if they are underweight.

E. Bradycardia: Severe malnutrition, as seen in eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) as the body conserves energy in response to the low caloric intake.

A. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?": Correct

This is the priority response because it directly addresses the client's statement about being better off gone, which raises concerns about potential suicidal thoughts. Asking this question allows the nurse to assess the client's risk of self-harm or suicide and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety.

B. "Do you really think your family would be better off without you?": Incorrect

While this response attempts to engage the client in a conversation, it doesn't directly address the immediate concern of suicidal thoughts. It's important to prioritize assessing the client's safety before exploring their feelings about their family's perspective.

C. "When did you first start feeling this way?": Incorrect

While understanding the client's history and the onset of their feelings is important, it's not the priority response in this situation. Assessing the client's risk of harm takes precedence over gathering historical information.

D. "Tell me what is happening right now.": Incorrect

This response doesn't directly address the client's statement about being better off gone and doesn't assess the immediate risk of self-harm or suicide. While understanding the client's current situation is valuable, safety concerns should be addressed first.