Question

a nurse in an acute care mental health facility is caring for a newly admitted client who has major depressive disorder. the client tells the nurse, \my life is meaningless! im going to kill myself tonight.\ which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the priority? assist in searching the clients belongings for objects that could cause harm. ensure that the client is placed on suicide precautions. obtain details about the clients suicide plan. ask the client to sign a suicide prevention contract.

Explanation:

When a client expresses suicidal intent, the top - priority is to ensure their immediate safety. Placing the client on suicide precautions is a comprehensive measure that includes close monitoring, restricting access to harmful objects, and other safety - related actions. Searching belongings (A) is part of suicide precautions. Obtaining details about the plan (C) is important but not the first step. Asking for a suicide prevention contract (D) is a later intervention. Ensuring suicide precautions are in place covers multiple aspects to safeguard the client's life.

Answer:

B. Ensure that the client is placed on suicide precautions.