While working with clients who are experiencing a significant degree of stress, the nurse knows that ...

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A priority assessment is to determine if the client is suicidal or homicidal by asking directly.
The priority assessment area for the client who is experiencing a significant degree of stress is not the client's physical needs. The nurse should first determine if the client is a danger to himself or others.
After determining if the client is suicidal or homicidal, the nurse can begin the problem-solving process and assess what else is happening in the client's life.
The nurse should first determine if the client is a danger to himself or others. Then the nurse can examine the degree of disruption in the client's life, such as in activities of daily living.