Therapeutic Communication with Psychiatric Clients · NCLEX Exam

Upon a client saying, 'I can’t go on anymore,' what should be the nurse’s first action?

  1. Ask, 'Are you thinking about hurting yourself?'
  2. Say, 'Don’t say that—you have a lot to live for.'
  3. Divert the conversation to a neutral topic.
  4. Reassure, 'Everything will work out fine.'
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Correct answer: Ask, 'Are you thinking about hurting yourself?'

Directly assessing suicidal ideation is critical for client safety and shows the nurse takes the statement seriously.

Difficulty: Hard Question 18 of 20

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