Question

A client is admitted to the acute psychiatric care unit after 2 weeks of increasingly erratic behavior. The client has been sleeping poorly, has lost 8 lb (3.6 kg), is poorly groomed, exhibits hyperactivity, and loudly denies the need for hospitalization. Which nursing intervention takes priority for this client?

1. Providing adequate hygiene
2. Administering a sedative as prescribed
3. Decreasing environmental stimulation
4. Involving the client in unit activities

Answer 1

The priority nursing intervention for this client is decreasing environmental stimulation to reduce agitation and promote better sleep.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority nursing intervention for this client is decreasing environmental stimulation. The client is exhibiting symptoms of mania, which includes hyperactivity, poor sleep, and poor grooming. Decreasing environmental stimulation can help the client to find a calmer environment, reducing the risk of agitation and promoting better sleep. This intervention can also help to decrease the client's overall hyperactivity.