Level: Foundational
Difficulty: Easy
Subtopic: Therapeutic communication
NCLEX: A 16-year-old adolescent on an adolescent psychiatric unit is being evaluated for anxiety about hospitalization….
Psychiatric / mental health nursing Psychosocial Integrity
Case Study
A 16-year-old adolescent on an adolescent psychiatric unit is being evaluated for anxiety about hospitalization. Assessment data include the client is withdrawn, flat affect, and refusing meals for 2 days. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?
Question
A. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.
B. Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.
C. Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.
D. Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.
B. Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.
C. Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.
D. Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.
Rationale
Correct answer: A. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.
Rationale: Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.