A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder asks, “What part of my brain controls my emotions?” Which nursing response is appropriate?

Choice A reason: Physical therapy focuses on physical rehabilitation through exercises and manual techniques, targeting specific musculoskeletal issues. While beneficial, it is not inherently holistic, as it does not typically address mental, emotional, or spiritual health, which are core to holistic practices, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Refusing medication is not a holistic practice; it is a personal choice that may stem from beliefs but does not inherently promote holistic health. Holistic practices involve integrative approaches like acupuncture or meditation, not simply avoiding conventional treatments, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Acupuncture is a holistic practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to balance energy (qi) to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It addresses the whole person by stimulating specific points to regulate energy flow, aligning with holistic principles, making this the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Taking prescribed medicine is part of conventional medical treatment, focusing on specific symptoms or diseases. It does not inherently consider the mind-body-spirit connection central to holistic practices, which aim for integrative health approaches, making this choice incorrect.

Choice A reason: Frontotemporal lobar degeneration affects the frontal and temporal lobes, causing personality changes, language difficulties, and behavioral issues. It does not typically present with parkinsonian effects or fluctuating cognition, which are specific to Lewy body disease. The client’s stroke and parkinsonian symptoms make this diagnosis unlikely.

Choice B reason: Prion diseases, like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, cause rapid cognitive decline, myoclonus, and ataxia due to misfolded proteins. They do not typically feature parkinsonian effects or fluctuating cognition linked to stroke. The client’s symptoms align more with Lewy body disease, making prion disease an incorrect diagnosis.

Choice C reason: HIV-associated dementia results from HIV infection affecting the brain, causing cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, and mood changes. While motor symptoms may occur, parkinsonian effects and fluctuating cognition are more characteristic of Lewy body disease, especially post-stroke, making HIV infection less likely in this context.

Choice D reason: Lewy body disease is characterized by parkinsonian symptoms (tremors, rigidity) due to alpha-synuclein deposits in the brain, often following stroke, and fluctuating cognition, including attention deficits and visual hallucinations. These match the client’s symptoms, as stroke can exacerbate Lewy body pathology, making this the most likely diagnosis.