A client is being admitted to the inpatient unit for stabilization of psychoses. The client's mother found the client trying to drown a cat in the bathtub. The client believed it was possessed by the devil. The mother reports that the father also suffered from a mental illness and was physically abusive. Based on this information the priority nursing diagnosis is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's behavior of attempting to harm the cat and the belief that it was possessed by the devil suggests that there may be a risk for violence directed towards others. This is the priority nursing diagnosis and should be addressed immediately to ensure the safety of both the client and others on the unit.

A Client Is Being Admitted to the Inpatient Unit for Stabilization