A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?

A. Incorrect – Lying in a quiet room can increase hallucinations because of the lack of external stimuli. B. Incorrect – Referring to hallucinations as real reinforces delusional thinking. Instead, the nurse should acknowledge the client’s experience while reorienting them to reality. C. Incorrect – Avoiding eye contact can appear dismissive and hinder therapeutic communication. D. Correct – Assessing the hallucinations directly helps determine their content, frequency, and potential for harm (e.g., suicidal or homicidal commands).