Question - The clinical nurse specialist is conducting an initial assessment of a patient recently admitted to the acute care setting. When asked about her frequent habit of looking over her shoulder, the patient became very anxious and evasive. The nurse said, "I can see that this interview is making you uncomfortable. Would you prefer to continue our discussion at a later time?"
Discuss the reason the statement made by the nurse was appropriate at this time.
Consider key physiologic conditions that should also be assessed, and indicate why these issues may have an impact on the patient's mental health function.