A client treated for depression tells the nurse at the mental health clinic that he recently purchased a handgun because he is thinking about suicide. The first nursing action should be to

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Immediate provider notification ensures rapid intervention for suicide risk.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed helps a patient with dyspnea by reducing chest pressure, allowing better lung expansion, and easing breathing effort through gravitational assistance. This position, often Fowler's, is a first-line intervention for respiratory distress. Large doses of pain medication might sedate the patient, worsening breathing, and aren't indicated unless pain is the cause. Dim lighting may calm them but doesn't address the physical issue. Vigorous exercise is dangerous during dyspnea, as it increases oxygen demand. Nurses prioritize this simple, effective adjustment to stabilize breathing and improve oxygenation, often before further medical steps.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A sitz bath involves soaking the genital and perianal area in warm water to cleanse it, reduce inflammation, and relieve discomfort from conditions like hemorrhoids or post-surgical swelling. It promotes hygiene and healing in a sensitive region. Improving digestion isn't its function oral intake or positioning aids that. Promoting sleep might be a side effect of relaxation, but it's not the intent. Limb exercises are unrelated; it's a localized treatment. Nurses use this to support patient comfort and recovery, ensuring proper hygiene where regular bathing might be insufficient or painful.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A splint immobilizes an injured limb to stabilize fractures or sprains, reducing movement that could worsen damage or pain, and promoting healing. Exerting pressure isn't its role compression bandages do that if needed. Encouraging joint movement contradicts immobilization's purpose; it's about rest, not exercise. Hiding the injury isn't practical or relevant it's a medical tool, not a cover. Nurses apply splints to protect the injury site, ensuring proper alignment and safety until further treatment, a key step in acute care management.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Beginning collection before the patient starts urinating ensures a midstream sample, capturing cleaner urine less contaminated by initial urethral bacteria, vital for accurate analysis. An unlabeled sterile container risks mix-ups, compromising results. Timing matters for specific tests (e.g., first morning urine), not 'any time.' Cleansing after collection is backward pre-cleaning prevents contamination. Nurses use this technique, often with a sterile cup, to provide reliable diagnostic data, avoiding false positives from skin flora, a critical detail in assessing kidney or infection status.