A client is admitted to the psychiatric hospital for evaluation after numerous incidents of threatening others, angry outbursts, and two episodes of hitting a coworker at the grocery store where he...

A client is admitted to the psychiatric hospital for evaluation after numerous incidents of threatening others, angry outbursts, and two episodes of hitting a coworker at the grocery store where he works. The client is very anxious and tells the nurse who admits him, “I didn't mean to hit him. He made me so mad that I just couldn't help it. I hope I don't hit anyone here.” To ensure a safe environment, the nurse should first:

1. Let other clients know that he has a history of hitting others so that they will not provoke him.

2. Put him in a private room and limit his time out of the room to when staff can be with him.

3. Tell him that hitting others is unacceptable behavior and ask him to tell a staff member when he begins feeling angry.

4. Obtain a prescription for a medication to be administered to decrease his anxiety and threatening behavior.