A nurse in an acute mental health facility is assessing a client who is experiencing auditory command hallucinations. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask first?

Rationale: A. "Can you tune out the voices by listening to music?": This question focuses on coping strategies, which is important, but it is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first assess the content of the hallucinations to determine potential risk. B. "Are you also seeing unusual persons or things?": Assessing for visual hallucinations is useful, but the client is currently experiencing auditory command hallucinations. Immediate focus should be on the commands to ensure safety. C. "What are the voices telling you to do?": Determining the content of the voices is the priority because command hallucinations may instruct the client to harm themselves or others. Assessing risk and ensuring safety comes before exploring coping or additional symptoms. D. "Do the voices cause you to feel anxious?": Assessing emotional response is relevant, but it is secondary to understanding whether the hallucinations pose a safety risk to the client or others.