What is the priority goal for a client who threatens suicide with a plan?

The priority goal for a client who threatens suicide with a plan is to work with the client to resolve the immediate crisis. This focus on crisis resolution is essential because the situation presents a significant risk to the client's safety. Addressing the immediate threat involves establishing a rapport, assessing the lethality of the plan, and implementing immediate interventions to ensure the client's safety.

In psychiatric nursing, the safety and stabilization of the client are paramount. By prioritizing crisis intervention, the nurse can help the client feel heard and understood, while also assessing their emotional state and determining what specific support they need at that moment. This course of action helps to de-escalate the situation and prevents potential harm, laying the foundation for further therapeutic work in a safe environment.

Other options, while relevant to ongoing care and treatment, do not address the immediate need for safety and crisis stabilization as directly. Long-term therapy, admission to an acute care facility, and developing future coping strategies can be part of a comprehensive care plan but are secondary to resolving the current suicide risk.