The mental health nurse observes that a female client with delusional disorder carries some of her belongings with her because she believes that others are trying to steal them. Which nursing action will promote trust?

A male client is attending an after-school, adolescent group session because he frequently loses his temper, argues with his teachers, and refuses to comply with classroom rules. During the group session, the adolescent repeatedly blames others regardless of the situation. To help modify the adolescent's behavior, which action should the nurse implement?

The mental health team working with a homeless client with chronic schizophrenia establishes the treatment goal of, "Improvement in avolition prior to discharge." Which behavior demonstrates achievement of this goal to the nurse?

A young-adult client is admitted to the psychiatric unit because of a recent suicide attempt. The client's spouse filled for divorce six months ago, the client lost a job three months ago, and the best friend moved to another city two weeks ago. Which intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?

A client with depression is not attentive to personal hygiene, uses television watching as a means of escape from responsibilities, and describes an inability to enjoy the things that once gave them pleasure. Which coping strategy should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities, talks with nonsensical words, and wanders into client's rooms. The nurse decides that the client needs constant observation based on which of these assessment findings?

A middle-aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor retardation, hypersomnia, and amotivation. Which intervention is likely to be most effective in returning this client to a normal level of functioning?

The healthcare provider prescribes lithium carbonate for a client diagnosed with bipolar, manic depression. It is most important for the nurse to review which laboratory finding prior to beginning the drug therapy?

A client with a history of schizophrenia is admitted to the psychiatric care unit for aggressive behavior, auditory hallucinations, and potential for self-harm. The client has not been taking medications as prescribed and insists that the food has been poisoned and refuses to eat. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

During a one-to-one session with the nurse, a female client admitted for chronic depression and attempted suicide discloses experiences of sexual promiscuity and prostitution. When the nurse asks the client if she was ever sexually abused as a child, the client says, "I don't remember, but my mother ran my father off when I was five." The nurse should recognize that the client may be using which defense mechanism?

The nurse is preparing a client for discharge who has been taking alprazolam long-term for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). When evaluating the client's understanding of the discharge teaching, which statement made by the client shows awareness of the most important self-care goal?