A nurse documents that a patient has a blunted affect. The student nurse knows that blunted affect means:

Choice A reason: Mourning refers to the outward expression of grief, such as rituals, crying, or memorializing. While the client may be mourning, the persistence of intense symptoms beyond the expected timeframe suggests a more complex condition.

Choice B reason: Anticipatory grief occurs before the loss. Since the client’s husband has already passed away, this term does not apply.

Choice C reason: Uncomplicated grief follows a typical trajectory of emotional adjustment over time. It may include sadness and longing but gradually resolves. Persistent depression and panic attacks a year after the loss indicate a deviation from this pattern.

Choice D reason: Complicated grief involves prolonged, intense, and disabling symptoms that interfere with functioning. The client’s ongoing depression, panic attacks, and fixation on wedding pictures suggest unresolved grief that may require clinical intervention.

Choice A reason: Seeking multiple opinions before making decisions reflects a thoughtful and cautious approach, but it does not necessarily indicate self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance outcomes. This statement shows deliberation, not confidence in personal ability.

Choice B reason: This statement reflects self-efficacy because the client expresses belief in their ability to learn a skill (relaxation) and achieve a desired outcome (feeling better). It demonstrates internal locus of control and confidence in personal capability, which are core components of self-efficacy.

Choice C reason: This statement reflects frustration and a sense of helplessness. The client implies that external circumstances prevent success, which undermines self-efficacy. It suggests a lack of belief in the ability to overcome obstacles.

Choice D reason: Expressing uncertainty about decision-making reflects low self-confidence and doubt in personal judgment. This is inconsistent with self-efficacy, which involves trust in one’s ability to make and act on decisions effectively.