Which imaging technique can provide information about brain function?

Choice A rationale

Quaternary prevention is a relatively newer concept focused on protecting patients from medical interventions that are likely to cause harm. It involves identifying patients at risk of overmedicalization or unnecessary diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. This level of prevention is not directly applicable to the intervention stage for active suicidal tendencies.

Choice B rationale

Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and prompt treatment of a condition to limit disability and prevent severe progression. For a patient with major depression and active suicidal tendencies, the intervention (hospitalization, crisis intervention, initiation of pharmacotherapy) represents a critical effort to rapidly treat the acute phase of the illness, thus preventing suicide, which is a severe outcome.

Choice C rationale

Tertiary prevention aims to reduce the long-term consequences or disability of a chronic or already established disease. For major depression, tertiary prevention would include rehabilitation, ongoing support groups, and maintenance medication to prevent relapse and maximize functioning after the acute crisis has been resolved.

Choice D rationale

Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs. This would include universal mental health education, stress management programs, or screenings for at-risk populations before they develop major depression or suicidal ideation. It is not appropriate for an actively suicidal patient.

Choice A rationale

Dismissing the friend and relying solely on a primary care provider (PCP) is inefficient and potentially dangerous in an emergency setting. The PCP may not be immediately available, and the friend often possesses critical, time-sensitive information regarding the client's baseline mental status, recent behavior, or potential ingestion of substances which is invaluable for immediate triage and stabilization in the emergency room.

Choice B rationale

Accepting the friend's information is the appropriate action, as this is consistent with the standard of care in an emergency where the client is incapacitated and unable to provide a coherent history. The principle of beneficence mandates gathering all available relevant data to protect the client's well-being. Confidentiality laws permit disclosure for treatment when the patient is unable to communicate due to a medical emergency.

Choice C rationale

Refusing information due to confidentiality concerns is an incorrect application of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). When a client's medical condition prevents them from making decisions or the situation is an emergency, the law allows the sharing of information with family or close associates involved in their care to facilitate prompt and effective treatment, prioritizing the client's immediate health.

Choice D rationale

Requiring a signed release from a client who is currently unable to provide a coherent history and demonstrate decision-making capacity is an ethical and practical impossibility. Informed consent, including releases, necessitates cognitive ability. Delaying the acquisition of critical history while waiting for the client to become coherent could lead to detrimental delays in diagnosis and potentially life-saving emergency medical interventions