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A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder does not interact with others except when addressed and then only in monosyllables. The nurse wants to show nonjudgmental acceptance and support for the patient. Select the nurse's most effective approach to communication.
- A. Make observations on neutral topics.
- B. Ask the patient direct questions.
- C. Phrase questions to require 'yes' or 'no' answers.
- D. Frequently reassure the patient to reduce guilt feelings.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Making observations about neutral topics such as the environment draws the patient into the reality around him or her but places no burdensome expectations on the patient for answers. Acceptance and support are shown by the nurse's presence. Direct questions may make the patient feel that the encounter is an interrogation. Open-ended questions are preferable if the patient is able to participate in dialog. Platitudes are never acceptable; they minimize patient feelings and can increase feelings of worthlessness.
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A patient became depressed after the last of six children moved out of the home 4 months ago. The patient has been self-neglectful, slept poorly, lost weight, and repeatedly says, 'No one cares about me anymore. I'm not worth anything.' Select an appropriate initial outcome.
- A. The patient will verbalize realistic positive characteristics about self by (date).
- B. The patient will consent to take antidepressant medication regularly by (date).
- C. The patient will initiate social interaction with another person daily by (date).
- D. The patient will identify two personal behaviors that alienate others by (date).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low self-esteem is reflected by making consistently negative statements about self and self-worth. Replacing negative cognitions with more realistic appraisals of self is an appropriate intermediate outcome. The incorrect options are not as clearly related to the nursing diagnosis. Outcomes are best when framed positively; identifying two personal behaviors that might alienate others is a negative concept.
During a psychiatric assessment, the nurse observes a patient's facial expressions that are without emotion. The patient says, 'Life feels so hopeless to me. I've been feeling sad for several months.' How should the nurse document the patient's affect and mood?
- A. Affect depressed; mood flat
- B. Affect flat; mood depressed
- C. Affect labile; mood euphoric
- D. Affect and mood are incongruent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mood is a person's self-reported emotional feeling state. Affect is the emotional feeling state that is outwardly observable by others.
A patient became severely depressed when the last of six children moved out of the home 4 months ago. The patient repeatedly says, 'No one cares about me. I'm not worth anything.' Which response by the nurse would be the most helpful?
- A. Things will look brighter soon. Everyone feels down once in a while.
- B. The staff here cares about you and wants to try to help you get better.
- C. It is difficult for others to care about you when you repeatedly say negative things about yourself.
- D. I'll sit with you for 10 minutes now and return for 10 minutes at lunchtime and again at 2:30 this afternoon.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Spending time with the patient at intervals throughout the day shows acceptance by the nurse and helps the patient establish a relationship with the nurse. The therapeutic technique is called offering self. Setting definite times for the therapeutic contacts and keeping the appointments show predictability on the part of the nurse, an element that fosters the building of trust. The incorrect responses would be difficult for a person with profound depression to believe, provide trite reassurance, and are counterproductive. The patient is unable to say positive things at this point.
A patient's employment is terminated, and major depressive disorder develops shortly afterward. The patient says to the nurse, 'I'm not worth the time you spend with me. I'm the most useless person in the world.' Which nursing diagnosis applies?
- A. Powerlessness
- B. Defensive coping
- C. Situational low self-esteem
- D. Disturbed personal identity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's statements express feelings of worthlessness and most clearly relate to the nursing diagnosis of situational low self-esteem. Insufficient information exists to justify the other diagnoses.
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is taking a tricyclic antidepressant. The patient says, 'I don't think I can keep taking these pills. They make me so dizzy, especially when I stand up.' The nurse should implement what intervention?
- A. Explain how to manage postural hypotension and educate the patient that side effects go away after several weeks.
- B. Tell the patient that the side effects are a minor inconvenience compared with the feelings of depression.
- C. Withhold the drug, force oral fluids, and notify the health care provider to examine the patient.
- D. Teach the patient how to use pursed-lip breathing.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drowsiness, dizziness, and postural hypotension usually subside after the first few weeks of therapy with tricyclic antidepressants. Postural hypotension can be managed by teaching the patient to stay well hydrated and rise slowly. Knowing these facts may be enough to convince the patient to remain medication compliant. The minor inconvenience of side effects as compared with feelings of depression is a convincing reason to remain on the medication. Withholding the drug, forcing oral fluids, and having the health care provider examine the patient are unnecessary steps. Independent nursing action is appropriate. Pursed-lip breathing is irrelevant.