Question

A client tells the mental health nurse "I am terribly frightened! I hear whispering that someone is going to kill me." Which criterion of mental health can the nurse assess as lacking?

Answer 1

The mental health criterion lacking is psychological safety, as the client is experiencing fear and possibly auditory hallucinations, indicating a disturbed perception of reality and an inability to feel secure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The criterion of mental health that a nurse can assess as lacking when a client reports experiencing fear and auditory hallucinations, like hearing whispering that someone is going to kill them, is primarily related to psychological safety. This is a state where an individual feels secure from psychological harm and experiences a sense of well-being. Ensuring psychological safety is a vital aspect of mental health care, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma or are exhibiting symptoms of severe anxiety or psychosis. In the scenario described, the client is exhibiting signs that indicate a disturbed perception of reality, a core element of psychological safety, and potentially of other mental health components such as the ability to effectively cope with stress, maintain emotional equilibrium, and feel secure in their environment.