A nurse is counseling a middle-aged client who describes having difficulty dealing with several issues. Which statement should the nurse identify as the priority to assess further?

A nurse is counseling a middle-aged client who describes having difficulty dealing with several issues. Which statement should the nurse identify as the priority to assess further?

• A. I'm struggling to accept that my parents are aging and need so much help.
• B. It's been so stressful for me to think about having intimate relationships.
• C. I know I should volunteer my time for a good cause, but maybe I'm just selfish.
• D. I love my grandchildren, but my child expects me to relive my parenting days.

Answer: (B)

The key issue being tested is how to identify a priority psychosocial concern in a middle-aged client. Among the options, the statement about feeling stressed when thinking about having intimate relationships points to a potential sexual health concern that can deeply affect mental well-being, self-esteem, and close relationships. Sexual health is a fundamental part of overall health, and distress in this area can signal anxiety, depression, relationship strain, or issues related to medications or medical conditions. Because addressing sexual health problems early can lead to meaningful improvements in quality of life and functioning, this statement warrants priority assessment and further conversation. The other experiences—struggling with accepting aging parents who need help, feeling guilty about volunteering, and wanting to relive parenting days with a child’s expectations—are important and deserve exploration, but they don’tndicate an immediate, high-impact risk to the person’s mental health and daily functioning in the same direct way as distress about intimate relationships.

The key issue being tested is how to identify a priority psychosocial concern in a middle-aged client. Among the options, the statement about feeling stressed when thinking about having intimate relationships points to a potential sexual health concern that can deeply affect mental well-being, self-esteem, and close relationships. Sexual health is a fundamental part of overall health, and distress in this area can signal anxiety, depression, relationship strain, or issues related to medications or medical conditions. Because addressing sexual health problems early can lead to meaningful improvements in quality of life and functioning, this statement warrants priority assessment and further conversation.

The other experiences—struggling with accepting aging parents who need help, feeling guilty about volunteering, and wanting to relive parenting days with a child’s expectations—are important and deserve exploration, but they don’tndicate an immediate, high-impact risk to the person’s mental health and daily functioning in the same direct way as distress about intimate relationships.