The nurse working in an outpatient clinic is performing an intake assessment for a female client. Which priority question will the nurse ask the client as part of the initial assessment?

The actions that are important for the nurse to take to help the client feel safe, secure, and in control of their own body are:

A. Prior to performing any intervention that requires touch, the nurse will ask permission.

This approach allows the client to feel respected and in control of their personal space. Asking for permission before any touch-related intervention acknowledges the client's autonomy and helps build trust.

D. The nurse will perform a continuous assessment of the client's anxiety level.

Continuous assessment of the client's anxiety level is important to identify any triggers or situations that may cause distress or feelings of unsafety. By monitoring the client's anxiety, the nurse can adjust care accordingly to promote a sense of security.

E. Have security present outside of the client's room to prevent anyone from coming in.

Having security present outside the client's room can provide an added layer of safety and reassurance for the client, especially if they have a history of abuse and may feel vulnerable or threatened.

It is not appropriate to:

B- Have the client perform all care independently and without assistance. The client may need assistance with certain care activities, and providing appropriate assistance can promote feelings of safety and trust.

C- Have two nurses present at all times to perform all care and procedures. While some situations may require additional staff for safety reasons, having two nurses present at all times for all care activities can be intrusive and may not respect the client's privacy and autonomy. It is essential to balance safety measures with promoting the client's sense of control and dignity.

The nurse's feelings of sadness, poor sleep, and mild depression after the death of the terminally ill client indicate that the nurse is experiencing grief, which is a normal reaction to loss. However, if the nurse is finding it difficult to cope with the grief or if the grief is significantly impacting the nurse's daily life and well-being, seeking therapy is the best action.

Option B suggests seeking therapy for dysfunctional grief, which can provide the nurse with professional support and coping strategies to navigate through the grieving process. Therapeutic interventions can help the nurse process the emotions associated with the loss and provide a safe space to express and explore feelings of grief and loss.

Options A, C, and D may be helpful in certain situations, but they may not directly address the nurse's unresolved grief:

A. Taking a leave of absence to pursue healing can be considered if the nurse's grief is severely impacting their ability to function and provide safe patient care. However, it may not be necessary for everyone, and seeking therapy would be a more specific and targeted approach to address the grief.

C. Using stress reduction strategies can be beneficial for managing stress and promoting overall well-being, but it may not directly address the specific grief experienced by the nurse after the client's death.

D. Seeking an informal forum for discussing death can be helpful in processing feelings and emotions related to death and loss. However, it may not provide the level of support and guidance that therapy can offer in resolving grief.