A nurse is caring for a client who has depressive disorder following the recent death of their partner. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"Tell me what your relationship with your partner was like."

"I remember how depressed I was after my friend died."

"You should start participating in your usual activities."

"Everyone feels depressed during the grieving process."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   This response encourages the client to express their feelings and memories about their relationship with their deceased partner. It allows the client to talk about their emotions, reminisce about positive memories, and potentially share any unresolved issues or feelings of loss. This can be therapeutic as it provides an opportunity for the client to process their grief through storytelling and expression.
B.   This response shifts the focus from the client's experience to the nurse's own experience. It can detract from the client's need to talk about their own feelings and may not be perceived as empathetic. While sharing personal experiences can sometimes create rapport, in this context, it may not be the most therapeutic approach as it might minimize the client's unique experience and emotions.
C.   This response assumes a directive approach, suggesting what the client "should" do. While encouraging a return to routine activities can be beneficial in some cases, it may not be appropriate immediately after a significant loss. Grieving is a personal process, and the client may not be ready to engage in usual activities right away. It's important to assess the client's readiness and provide support tailored to their current emotional state.
D.   This response minimizes the client's feelings by suggesting that their experience is universal. While it's true that many people experience sadness and grief after a loss, each individual's response is unique. This statement may invalidate the client's emotions and fail to acknowledge the depth of their distress. It's important to validate the client's feelings and provide reassurance that their emotions are normal in the context of grief.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. The PSDA applies to all adult clients regardless of age. It ensures that adults have the right to make decisions about their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment, regardless of whether they are elderly or not. Age is not a factor in the applicability of the PSDA.
B. While it's common for a living will to be witnessed, it is not a legal requirement under the PSDA.
C. Advance directives are applicable to all clients, including those receiving mental health care.
D. The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) ensures that adult patients are informed about their rights to make decisions regarding their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment and to prepare an advance directive.

A. Demonstrates obsessive behaviors B. Fluctuating level of orientation C. Family report of gradual memory loss D. Consistent state of depression

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Obsessive behaviors, such as repetitive actions or fixations on specific thoughts or tasks, can be indicative of delirium. Delirium often manifests with altered behavior patterns that are unusual for the individual, including obsessive or compulsive-like behaviors that are not typical of their baseline mental status. However, this is not specific to delirium.
B. Fluctuating orientation, where the client is sometimes alert and oriented and at other times confused or disoriented, is a hallmark of delirium. Unlike dementia, which typically presents with a more steady decline in cognitive function, delirium is characterized by rapid changes in mental status over hours to days. This fluctuation is important to note as it strongly suggests delirium rather than other chronic cognitive impairments.
C. Gradual memory loss reported by family members is more suggestive of chronic conditions such as dementia rather than delirium. Delirium, in contrast, is characterized by acute onset and fluctuating course rather than a gradual decline in cognitive abilities over time.
D. Depression can coexist with delirium, but a consistent state of depression without acute changes in mental status is less indicative of delirium. Delirium is characterized by rapid changes in cognition and behavior rather than a persistent mood disorder. Therefore, while depression should be assessed and managed appropriately, it is not typically a sign of delirium unless there are acute changes in mental status accompanying it.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has depressive disorder following the recent death of their partner. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA). Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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