An appropriate nursing strategy to assist a patient who was ...

[eruditmonkey@yahoo.com]

An appropriate nursing strategy to assist a patient who was involuntarily admitted after a suicide attempt is::
 
  a. Avoiding any focus on the topic of suicide
  b. Encouraging patient to verbalize personal feelings
  c. Supporting patient focus on others rather than self
  d. Discussing the impact of suicidal thoughts on the family

Question 2

A patient who has a history of bipolar disorder recently underwent orthopedic surgery and was discharged to return home.
 
  When visited by the home care nurse, the nurse documented the following: slow and soft speech; sad facial expression; and patient crying when describing extreme fatigue, low mood, and the feeling that he will never get well. He has refused to bathe and perform ADLs for several days. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate?
  a. Self-care deficit secondary to possible depression
  b. Situational low self-esteem related to immobility
  c. Deficient knowledge related to depression and surgery
  d. Disturbed thought processes related to bipolar disorder

[C.mcnichol98]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Verbalization helps relieve pent-up feelings and emotional pain. Avoidance of the topic is nontherapeutic for a suicidal patient. The remaining options may serve to increase the pa-tient's feelings of guilt.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Refusal to perform tasks of bathing, grooming, and other ADLs provides evidence of a self-care deficit. The other symptoms documented by the nurse are characteristic of depres-sion. No data are present to suggest the diagnoses given in the other options.