Final answer:
A nurse should consider five areas of assessment when assessing a client for stress: physical symptoms, emotional well-being, behavioral changes, social support, and coping strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a client for stress, a nurse should consider the following five areas of assessment:
- Physical symptoms: The nurse should assess for any physical symptoms related to stress, such as headaches, fatigue, or gastrointestinal problems.
- Emotional well-being: The nurse should assess the client's emotional state and look for signs of anxiety, depression, or irritability.
- Behavioral changes: The nurse should assess for any changes in the client's behavior, such as changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or substance use.
- Social support: The nurse should assess the client's social support network and determine if they have people they can turn to for help or if they feel isolated.
- Coping strategies: The nurse should assess how the client is coping with stress and if they have healthy coping mechanisms in place, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, or talking to a therapist.