What is the primary focus of the acute phase in treating major depressive disorder?
Educating the client on medication adherence.
Reducing depressive symptoms.
Promoting long-term therapeutic relationships.
Preventing relapse.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Education on medication adherence is a vital component of psychiatric care, but it is typically a secondary focus during the acute phase. The client's cognitive processing may be significantly impaired by severe depression, making extensive education less effective than immediate symptomatic stabilization and safety interventions.
Choice B reason: The acute phase of treatment typically lasts 6 to 12 weeks, and its primary clinical objective is the reduction of depressive manifestations and the achievement of remission. This phase focuses on establishing safety and utilizing pharmacological or somatic therapies to alleviate the debilitating emotional and physical symptoms of the disorder.
Choice C reason: While a therapeutic alliance is the foundation of all nursing care, "promoting long-term relationships" is a process that spans the entire continuum of care. In the acute phase, the focus is more on immediate crisis intervention and symptom management rather than the long-term trajectory of the relationship.
Choice D reason: Preventing relapse is the hallmark goal of the "continuation phase" of treatment, which occurs after the acute phase has successfully reduced symptoms. During the acute phase, the patient is still actively symptomatic, so the priority is getting the symptoms under control before prevention strategies can be fully implemented.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that prevents the breakdown of tyramine. Consuming foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented products, can lead to a massive release of norepinephrine, resulting in a life-threatening hypertensive crisis characterized by severe headache and elevated blood pressure.
Choice B reason: While vitamin D is essential for bone health and mood regulation, it has no direct interaction with MAOIs that would influence the risk of a hypertensive crisis. Vitamin D supplementation is independent of the specific dietary restrictions required for safe monoamine oxidase inhibitor pharmacological therapy.
Choice C reason: Reducing overall protein intake is not necessary for clients on MAOIs. The restriction is specific to the tyramine content, which is a byproduct of protein breakdown in aged or fermented foods. Fresh proteins, such as unaged meats and poultry, are generally safe and do not pose a hypertensive risk.
Choice D reason: Increasing dietary fiber is a general health recommendation for gastrointestinal motility, but it does not prevent the pharmacological interaction between MAOIs and tyramine. The nursing priority for phenelzine education must remain focused on the strict avoidance of high-tyramine foods to ensure patient safety.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This description refers to humanistic or psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on self-actualization and insight into past behaviors to drive change. While developing self-awareness is a component of overall mental health, it does not describe the specific behavioral desensitization mechanics that define prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD.
Choice B reason: This accurately describes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, not prolonged exposure therapy. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. While both are used for PTSD, they are distinct therapeutic modalities with different procedural protocols.
Choice C reason: Prolonged exposure therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that utilizes "in vivo" and "imaginal" exposure. By repeatedly and safely facing the trauma-related stimuli that the client has been avoiding, the process of emotional processing occurs, leading to a reduction in the conditioned fear response and associated symptoms.
Choice D reason: This describes the fundamental premise of standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While prolonged exposure is a subset of CBT, this broad definition focuses on cognitive restructuring. Prolonged exposure is more specific, focusing on the behavioral extinction of fear through direct confrontation with the trauma memory and related triggers.
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