A patient was hospitalized for 24 hours after a reaction to a psychotropic medication. While planning discharge, the nurse learned the patient received a notice of eviction immediately prior to admission. Select the nurse’s most appropriate action.
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Arranging social services addresses the patient’s eviction, a social determinant of health impacting mental stability. This holistic approach supports recovery by ensuring housing stability, aligning with psychiatric nursing’s focus on comprehensive care, making this the correct choice. Choice B reason: Contacting the landlord directly exceeds the nurse’s role and may violate privacy. It does not address the patient’s immediate housing needs or mental health, making it less appropriate than coordinating with social services for professional support. Choice C reason: Questioning the medication reaction’s validity is inappropriate without evidence and distracts from addressing the eviction. It undermines trust and does not support discharge planning, making this choice irrelevant to the patient’s current needs. Choice D reason: Delaying discharge without clinical justification risks unnecessary hospitalization. The eviction requires social support, not prolonged admission, as mental status improvement is not specified as a concern, making this choice incorrect.