What should the nurse assess immediately for a client admitted with psychotic symptoms?

When assessing a client admitted with psychotic symptoms, the immediate priority for the nurse is to evaluate potential safety threats posed by the client. This consideration is crucial due to the nature of psychosis, which can involve hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking that may lead to unpredictable behaviors.

Clients experiencing these symptoms may pose a risk to themselves or others, as their perception of reality can be severely impaired. For example, they might act on delusions that someone is trying to harm them, leading to aggressive behaviors, or they could be at risk of self-harm due to suicidal ideations. Therefore, a thorough assessment of safety is paramount to ensure a secure environment where further treatment and interventions can take place effectively.

Other aspects, such as dietary needs or family support, while important, typically follow the immediate need for safety assessment in psychiatric nursing practice. Addressing potential safety issues allows for stabilization and sets the stage for further evaluation and intervention as the patient's condition evolves.