A patient in an alcohol rehabilitation program says, 'I have been a loser all my life. I’m so ashamed of what I have put my family through. Now, I’m not even sure I can succeed at staying sober.' Which nursing diagnosis applies?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chronic low self-esteem. The patient's statement reflects long-standing feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, indicating a chronic issue rather than a temporary situation (situational low self-esteem). The statement also reveals a negative perception of self, which aligns with chronic low self-esteem. Disturbed personal identity refers to confusion in one's sense of self, which is not evident in the patient's statement. Ineffective health maintenance pertains to the inability to identify, manage, and seek help for health problems, which is not the primary issue in this scenario. Therefore, A is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis.