A nurse is caring for an older adult client who shares being depressed because many friends have died in the past few years. How will the nurse respond?
"You will need to get used to this at your age."
"Perhaps you need to make friends with younger people."
"That must be hard for you."
"That is to be expected."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "You will need to get used to this at your age." - This response is dismissive and invalidating. It implies that the client's feelings of depression and grief are simply a natural part of aging that they should accept or become accustomed to. It fails to acknowledge the client's emotions and does not offer any support or empathy.
B. "Perhaps you need to make friends with younger people." - This response is not empathetic and fails to address the client's feelings. It suggests a solution that may not be feasible or appropriate for the client's situation. Additionally, it overlooks the importance of the client's existing relationships and the impact of losing friends.
C. "That must be hard for you." - This response demonstrates empathy and validation of the client's feelings. It acknowledges the difficulty of losing friends and the impact it may have on the client's emotional well-being. By expressing understanding and sympathy, the nurse shows willingness to listen and provide support.
D. "That is to be expected." - While this response acknowledges the client's experience, it may come across as somewhat dismissive. It suggests that feeling depressed due to the loss of friends is a normal and expected reaction for an older adult, but it doesn't offer much in the way of validation or support for the client's emotions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Dependency:
This client, who was once a successful bank president and active community leader, may struggle with the loss of independence and the need to rely on others for daily care. Feelings of dependency can be particularly challenging for individuals who were once highly independent and influential.
B. Mortality:
Mortality is a universal concern for individuals, especially as they age, but it is not specifically tied to the client's previous occupation or lifestyle before entering the nursing home.
C. Family:
Although family is important, the scenario does not specifically indicate any issues or changes related to family dynamics that would be the primary focus. The primary concern would be the client’s adjustment to the new living situation and the associated loss of independence.
D. Unemployment:
Unemployment is not relevant in this context, as the client has been retired since age 70.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Fidelity:
Fidelity refers to the ethical principle of faithfulness, loyalty, and honoring commitments in the nurse-patient relationship. It involves keeping promises, maintaining confidentiality, and advocating for the patient's best interests. While fidelity is important in building trust and rapport with patients, it is not directly relevant to the colleague's caution about the potential harm of administering morphine in this scenario.
B. Nonmaleficence:
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do no harm to the patient. It involves avoiding actions that could cause harm or exacerbate the patient's condition. In this scenario, the colleague's caution about the potential risk of respiratory depression and harm from administering morphine aligns with the principle of nonmaleficence, as it prioritizes the safety and well-being of the client by warning against the potential harms of the intervention.
C. Justice:
Justice refers to the ethical principle of fairness and equitable distribution of resources and treatment. It involves ensuring that all individuals receive fair and equal treatment and that healthcare resources are allocated fairly. While justice is an important ethical principle in healthcare, it is not directly relevant to the colleague's caution about the potential respiratory depression from administering morphine in this scenario.
D. Beneficence:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do good and promote the well-being of the patient. It involves taking actions to benefit the patient and enhance their welfare. While administering morphine to relieve the client's pain would align with the principle of beneficence by aiming to alleviate suffering and improve comfort, the colleague's caution highlights the potential harm that could result from the intervention, thus focusing more on the principle of nonmaleficence.
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