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Psychiatric / mental health nursing · practice question

A 16-year-old adolescent on an adolescent psychiatric unit is being evaluated for major depressive symptoms. Assessment data include the client has not slept in 3 days and speech is rapid and pressured. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Multiple choiceMediumnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026psychiatric-mental-health
Choose one answer
Answer and explanation

Correct answer

D. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Why

Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.

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