A patient admitted yesterday for injuries sustained in a fall while intoxicated believes bugs are crawling on the bed. The patient is anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Risk for injury. This is the priority nursing diagnosis because the patient's current state of agitation and anxiety, coupled with the belief of bugs crawling on the bed, poses an immediate risk for self-injury. The patient's altered mental status and intoxication increase the likelihood of accidental harm.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Ineffective airway clearance - While this is always a critical concern, the patient's current presentation does not indicate any immediate threat to the airway.
B: Ineffective coping - While the patient may be experiencing distress, the primary focus should be on addressing the risk of injury given the patient's altered mental status.
C: Ineffective denial - While the patient may be experiencing hallucinations, the primary concern is the risk of injury rather than the patient's denial of the situation.