A client who has a diagnosis of depression is attending group therapy. During the group meeting, the nurse asks each member to identify one goal for the day. When it is the client's turn, she does not respond. Which of the following actions should the nurse take before repeating the request to the client?

Choice A reason: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a subtype of major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, requiring at least two major depressive episodes in a seasonal pattern over two years, not necessarily five key features for two weeks. The diagnostic criteria involve symptoms like low mood, anhedonia, and fatigue, but the two-week duration with five symptoms applies to major depression generally, not specifically SAD, which emphasizes seasonal recurrence.

Choice B reason: The statement is false because Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined by recurrent depressive episodes tied to specific seasons, typically winter, rather than a strict requirement of five key features for two weeks. SAD involves symptoms like hypersomnia and carbohydrate craving, but the diagnostic focus is on the seasonal pattern, not the exact symptom count or duration stated.

Choice A reason: Expecting dementia clients to consistently ask for needed items is incorrect, as short-term memory loss from hippocampal degeneration impairs their ability to articulate needs. Cognitive deterioration disrupts executive function and communication, making this assumption inaccurate and reflecting a misunderstanding of dementia’s neurobiological impact on memory and expression.

Choice B reason: Assuming ambulatory dementia clients can independently perform activities of daily living is incorrect. Dementia’s progressive neuronal loss, particularly in the cortex and hippocampus, impairs planning and execution of tasks like dressing or hygiene, despite physical mobility. This reflects a misunderstanding of cognitive versus motor function in dementia’s pathology.

Choice C reason: Expecting dementia clients to know meal times is incorrect, as temporal disorientation from hippocampal and prefrontal cortex damage impairs memory and time perception. Cognitive deterioration disrupts routine recall, making this assumption inaccurate. It fails to recognize the neurobiological basis of memory deficits central to dementia’s progression.

Choice D reason: Not recognizing family is a common dementia symptom, as long-term memory impairment from cortical and hippocampal neurodegeneration disrupts autobiographical memory. This reflects accurate understanding of dementia’s progressive impact on memory systems, where familiar faces become unrecognizable, aligning with the disease’s neurobiological effects on recognition and recall.