A 34-year-old male admitted with catatonic schizophrenia has been mute and motionless for several days while at home prior to admission.He still appears stuporous in the hospital.Which nursing intervention would be an initial priority?

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Patients who are mute and motionless and inattentive to environmental stimuli are at risk for a number of physical problems.Further,they are unable to communicate existing problems.The nurse must make thorough and astute assessments before creating plans to meet the patient's needs.A patient who is stuporous may not be able to attend to information given about unit rules and protocols.While establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship is an important intervention,it does not have priority according to Maslow's hierarchy.Because the patient is mute,one can only suspect lack of reality orientation.While an appropriate intervention,it is not the priority according to Maslow's hierarchy.

A 34-Year-Old Male Admitted with Catatonic Schizophrenia Has Been Mute