Psychosocial Considerations in Chronic Illness Care
Psychosocial Considerations in Chronic Illness Care ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and requires hemodialysis three times a week. The client tells the nurse that they are tired of living this way and wish they could just die. What is the best initial action by the nurse?
The client is expressing suicidal ideation, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate assessment and intervention. The nurse should first ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves or others, as this indicates the level of risk and urgency. The nurse should also assess the client for other signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior, such as giving away possessions, saying goodbye, withdrawing from others, or having a history of previous attempts. The nurse should ensure the client's safety, provide emotional support, and notify the health care provider and the mental health team as soon as possible.
This is an important step in understanding the client's perspective and addressing their underlying issues, such as depression, hopelessness, grief, or loss of control. However, it should not be done before ensuring the client's safety and assessing their risk of suicide.
This is a necessary action, but not the best initial one. The nurse should first assess the client's risk of suicide and ensure their safety before contacting the health care provider and the mental health team.
This is an inappropriate action, as it ignores the client's feelings and may sound judgmental or coercive. The nurse should not try to persuade or convince the client to change their mind without first acknowledging and validating their emotions and exploring their reasons for wanting to die.
The client is expressing suicidal ideation, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate assessment and intervention. The nurse should first ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves or others, as this indicates the level of risk and urgency. The nurse should also assess the client for other signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior, such as giving away possessions, saying goodbye, withdrawing from others, or having a history of previous attempts. The nurse should ensure the client's safety, provide emotional support, and notify the health care provider and the mental health team as soon as possible.
Incorrect options:
B) Explore the reasons behind the client's wish to die. - This is an important step in understanding the client's perspective and addressing their underlying issues, such as depression, hopelessness, grief, or loss of control. However, it should not be done before ensuring the client's safety and assessing their risk of suicide.
C) Inform the health care provider about the client's statement. - This is a necessary action, but not the best initial one. The nurse should first assess the client's risk of suicide and ensure their safety before contacting the health care provider and the mental health team.
D) Educate the client about the benefits of hemodialysis and the risks of discontinuing it. - This is an inappropriate action, as it ignores the client's feelings and may sound judgmental or coercive. The nurse should not try to persuade or convince the client to change their mind without first acknowledging and validating their emotions and exploring their reasons for wanting to die.