A nurse in an acute mental health care facility is prioritizing care for multiple clients.
Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?
A.
A client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and is upset about a change in daily routine.
B.
A client who is taking clozapine to treat schizophrenia and reports a sore throat.
C.
A client who has narcissistic personality disorder and is mocking others during group therapy.
D.
A client who has depressive disorder and requires assistance with ADLs.
When prioritizing care for multiple clients in an acute mental health care facility, the nurse should see the client who requires the most urgent intervention.
B. A client who is taking clozapine to treat schizophrenia and reports a sore throat.
Here’s why this option should be prioritized:
- A. A client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and is upset about a change in daily routine.
While this client’s distress is important and should be addressed, it is not immediately life-threatening compared to other situations. - B. A client who is taking clozapine to treat schizophrenia and reports a sore throat.
This client’s situation is the highest priority because clozapine is associated with a risk of agranulocytosis (a potentially life-threatening drop in white blood cells). A sore throat can be an early sign of infection, which is crucial to assess immediately to prevent severe complications. - C. A client who has narcissistic personality disorder and is mocking others during group therapy.
This behavior is disruptive but not immediately life-threatening. It should be managed but does not require urgent attention compared to medical issues. - D. A client who has depressive disorder and requires assistance with ADLs.
While this client’s needs are important, they are not as urgent as potential medical complications from clozapine.
In summary, the client on clozapine who reports a sore throat should be seen first due to the potential severity of clozapine-related side effects and the need for immediate assessment to prevent serious health issues.