Final answer:
The nurse should report the staff member's derogatory comments to the supervisor or appropriate authority, stay calm, and focus on problem-solving, potentially also engaging in respectful dialogue with the staff member if appropriate.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse overhears another staff member making derogatory comments to a client in a mental health facility, the nurse should take appropriate action to ensure the well-being and respect of the client. The first step should be to report the incident to the supervisor or appropriate authority. This action maintains a professional approach, safeguards the client's rights, and ensures the issue is addressed in accordance with facility policies. It is important to choose your words carefully and stay as calm as possible when reporting the situation. If needed, the nurse could also engage in a respectful and open-ended conversation with the staff member, ensuring to listen to the other side of the story without suggesting that they are right and the staff member is wrong. This promotes understanding and a focus on problem-solving rather than blame. However, if the conflict cannot be resolved through conversation, it is crucial to escalate the matter to the supervisor or HR department for further intervention.