The nurse assesses a client who recently began experiencing violent nightmares. Which factor in the client’s history should the nurse further explore?

A male client arrives at the mental health clinic and asks the nurse for more lithium and the antidepressant amitriptyline that he uses to help him sleep. After reviewing the assessment findings with the healthcare provider, a serum creatinine is obtained. Which information supports the reason for this laboratory test?

A client with opioid dependence makes a statement to the nurse about desiring to lead a healthier lifestyle by making changes in the next 2 weeks. How should the nurse respond?

A male client, assessed in the emergency department (ED), has a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The client denies thoughts of harm to self or others, and the healthcare provider discharges the client. As the client begins to leave, the nurse overhears the client mumble, “Now I’m going to shoot myself.” Which intervention should the nurse implement?

A client at the mental health center reports difficulty concentrating at work, feeling very tired during the day, and sleeping 4 to 5 hours at night. To further assess for depression, which question is most important for the nurse to ask?

A client with paranoia is admitted to the mental health unit and immediately goes to the corner of the room and sits quietly without communicating. In approaching the client, what intervention should the nurse implement first?

When a male client is asked about his reason for coming to the mental health clinic, he replies, “It all started because I work in a hostile work environment. My boss would not let me go to a religious service, so I went to human resources, and they didn’t want to do anything. It has been a really difficult time for me.” Which response should the nurse provide?

A male client tells the nurse that he has an IQ of 400+ and is a genius and an inventor. He also reports that he is married to a female movie star and thinks that his brother wants a sexual relationship with her. Which is the priority nursing problem for admission to the psychiatric unit?

The nurse is caring for a client who is a refugee from another country and who is experiencing daily episodes of anxiety. The client communicates minimally with the nurse, looking away and appearing distressed. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to do first?

A client who is admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention during the first 6 hours following admission should the nurse identify as the priority?

An adult client presents to the community mental health center accompanied by the client’s spouse who reports that the client has been acting impulsively. The client has spent a large amount of money lately, made several last-minute decisions to take trips, sleeps only 2 to 4 hours a night, and has lost 33 pounds (15 kg) in the last 2 months. Which nursing problem has the greatest nursing priority?