Nokea
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder was hospitalized for 8 days. Treatment included six electroconvulsive therapy sessions and aggressive dose adjustments of antidepressant medications. The patient owns a small business and was counseled not to make major decisions for a month. Select the correct rationale for this counseling.
- A. Temporary memory impairments and confusion can be associated with electroconvulsive therapy.
- B. Antidepressant medications alter catecholamine levels, which impair decision-making abilities.
- C. Antidepressant medications may cause confusion related to a limitation of tyramine in the diet.
- D. The patient needs time to reorient him or herself to a pressured work schedule.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Recent memory impairment or confusion or both are often present during and for a short time after electroconvulsive therapy. An inappropriate business decision might be made because of forgotten and important details. The incorrect responses contain rationales that are untrue. The patient needing time to reorient himself or herself to a pressured work schedule is less relevant than the correct rationale.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which beverage should the nurse offer to a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder who refuses solid food?
- A. Tomato juice
- B. Orange juice
- C. Hot tea
- D. Milk
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Milk is the only beverage listed that provides protein, fat, and carbohydrates. In addition, milk is fortified with vitamins.
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.
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.
A woman gave birth to a healthy newborn 1 month ago. The patient now reports she cannot cope and is unable to sleep or eat. She says, 'I feel like a failure. This baby is the root of my problems.' What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
- A. Insomnia
- B. Ineffective coping
- C. Situational low self-esteem
- D. Risk for other-directed violence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a new mother develops depression with a postpartum onset, ruminations or delusional thoughts about the infant often occur. The risk for harming the infant is increased; thus, it becomes the priority diagnosis. The other diagnoses are relevant but are of lower priority.