A nurse uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs to plan care for a patient diagnosed with mental illness. Which problem will receive priority?

Choice A reason: Alienation from family corresponds to Maslow’s love and belonging needs, a third-level priority. While important for mental health, it is less urgent than physiological needs like nutrition and hygiene, which are foundational for survival and stability, making this choice lower priority in care planning. Choice B reason: Refusing to eat or bathe addresses Maslow’s physiological needs, the highest priority in the hierarchy. Nutrition and hygiene are essential for survival and physical health, critical in mental illness to stabilize the patient’s condition and support further treatment, making this the correct choice. Choice C reason: Reluctance to participate in group therapy relates to esteem or belonging needs, lower in Maslow’s hierarchy. While social engagement aids mental health, it is not as urgent as physiological needs, which underpin survival and basic functioning, making this choice a lower priority in care planning. Choice D reason: Anxiety about social situations aligns with safety or belonging needs, secondary to physiological requirements. While anxiety impacts mental health, it is less critical than ensuring basic survival needs like food and hygiene, which take precedence in Maslow’s framework, making this choice incorrect.