The nurse is performing an assessment for a young adolescent and observes a lack of hair on the eyebrows and the hairline. Which statement made by the parent demonstrates an understanding of the type of hair loss the child is experiencing?

Choice A reason: Urinary retention and constipation are not typically associated with tardive dyskinesia, which is characterized by involuntary movements.

Choice B reason: Fine hand tremors and pill rolling are more commonly associated with Parkinson's disease rather than tardive dyskinesia.

Choice C reason: Tongue thrusting and lip smacking are classic signs of tardive dyskinesia, often resulting from long-term use of antipsychotic medications.

Choice D reason: Facial grimacing and eye blinking are also indicative of tardive dyskinesia, reflecting involuntary facial movements.

Choice E reason: Involuntary pelvic rocking and hip thrusting movements can be manifestations of tardive dyskinesia, representing involuntary movements of the body.

Choice A reason:

Informed consent is a critical component of many medical treatments, including ECT. It involves the patient's understanding and agreement to the procedure after being fully informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Cognitive deficits can impair a patient's ability to provide informed consent, but they do not automatically waive the requirement for such consent. In fact, additional safeguards are often put in place to protect the rights of individuals with cognitive impairments.

Choice B reason:

ECT is a medical procedure that requires informed consent due to the potential risks and side effects associated with it. If a client has cognitive deficits severe enough to impact their decision-making capacity, they may not be able to provide informed consent. In such cases, treatment options would need to be reconsidered, and alternative methods of obtaining consent, such as through a legal guardian or a court order, might be necessary.

Choice C reason:

While it is true that ECT is considered an effective treatment for severe depression and suicidality, the decision to use ECT should not be based solely on these criteria². The ability of the client to understand and consent to the treatment is also a crucial factor. Therefore, the extremity of the client's suicidal ideation alone does not make ECT automatically the appropriate option without considering the consent issue.

Choice D reason:

ECT is indeed an alternative treatment when antidepressant medications have been ineffective, especially in cases of severe depression and suicidality². However, the effectiveness of ECT does not negate the need for informed consent. The client's cognitive ability to provide consent remains a determining factor in the feasibility of ECT as a treatment option.