A middle-aged female client with no previous psychiatric history is seen in the mental health clinic because her family describes her as having paranoid thoughts. On assessment, she tells the nurse, "I want to find out why these people are stalking me!" Which response should the nurse provide?

Choice A rationale: "Do you think someone is trying to harm you?" is a leading question and may contribute to the client's paranoid thoughts. It is important to explore the client's concerns without making assumptions. Choice B rationale: "What makes you think people are stalking you?" is an open-ended question that invites the client to share more about her experiences and thought processes. It allows for a deeper exploration of the client's perceptions. Choice C rationale: "It sounds like this experience is frightening for you" is a closed statement and may not encourage the client to elaborate on her thoughts. Open-ended questions are more effective in this situation. Choice D rationale: "I know you are frightened, but no one is stalking you" is a dismissive statement that may invalidate the client's feelings. It is imp