Question

A nurse is caring several clients who are attending community-based mental health programs. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to visit first?

A. A client who recently burned her arm while using a hot iron at home.
C. A client who says he is hearing a voice that tells him he is not worth living anymore.
D. A client who tells the nurse he experienced manifestations of severe anxiety before and during a job interview.

Answer 1

A nurse attending to clients in community-based cognitive health programs should prioritize visiting the client experiencing self harming ideation first, as it poses an immediate safety risk (option c). Other clients with physical injuries or anxiety can be addressed subsequently, with the most severe and life-threatening conditions receiving immediate attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question revolves around a nurse prioritizing which client to visit first among those attending community-based cognitive health programs. The client described as hearing a voice that tells him he is not worth living anymore (Client C) should be visited first. This client is experiencing self harming ideation, which presents an immediate risk to their safety. Prompt intervention is imperative in such cases to provide the necessary support and prevent possible harm.

While the client who burned her arm and the one who experienced severe anxiety during a job interview also require care, these situations are not as life-threatening as self harming ideation. Therefore, the nurse must first attend to the client at highest risk. Subsequently, the nurse can provide care for the clients with physical injury and severe anxiety, respectively. It is essential for cognitive health professionals and nurses to assess and triage based on the immediacy and severity of the risk presented by clients in cognitive health settings.

Hence, the answer is option C.