Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 89%
Full-length
A client tells the nurse that he has been hearing voices that tell him to kill his girlfriend because she is a spy. He further states that he is having difficulty not obeying the voices because, if he does not, his house will be burned down. The highest priority nursing diagnosis for him at this time is:
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Although the client is having command hallucinations, this is second in priority to real or potential violence, which can be a threat to life itself. Although the client is experiencing delusions, this is also a lower priority than his potential or actual loss of control. Whether real or potential, violence directed at self or others is always high priority. There is no evidence of loosening of associations.