A newly admitted patient tells the nurse, "The voices are bothering me." What should be the nurse's initial intervention?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Seeking a description of the voices to identify themes would be the best initial intervention. This would allow the nurse to gather more information about the patient's hallucinations and understand the patient's experience better. It can also assist the healthcare provider in creating an appropriate treatment plan for the patient. Ignoring the patient's reference to voices can lead to the patient feeling invalidated, and distracting the patient may not resolve the underlying issue. Telling the patient that the voices do not exist will not help the patient and can increase their stress levels.

A Newly Admitted Patient Tells the Nurse, "The Voices Are