Psychotic Disorders no. 4074

Psychotic Disorders no. 4074

QUESTION: The nurse is planning care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Which nursing diagnosis should receive the highest priority?

✓O a.) <i>Risk for other-directed violence</i>
✘O b.) <i>Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements</i>
✘O c.) <i>Compromised family coping</i>
✘O d.) <i>Impaired verbal communication</i>

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Because of such factors as suspiciousness, anxiety, and hallucinations, the client with paranoid schizophrenia is at risk for violence toward himself or others. The other options are also appropriate nursing diagnoses but should be addressed after the safety of the client and those around him is established.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Analysis
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analysis