When planning discharge care for an older adult who is divorced, ...

[appyboo]

When planning discharge care for an older adult who is divorced, recently retired, and diagnosed with situational depression, the nurse learns that the patient's only child has moved 300 miles away. What is the nurse's best initial action?
 
  a. Contact the child to discuss the parent's care needs.
  b. Arrange for live-in help to provide for the patient's care needs.
  c. Discuss the possibility of relocating to an assisted living center a reasonable distance from the child.
  d. Assess availability of other family members and social support systems to assist the patient in meeting care needs.

Question 2

A patient's husband is distraught over his wife's behavior since their child died in a car accident 1 month ago. He says, She still cries herself to sleep each night. Help my wife control herself..
 
  The nurse's most therapeutic response would be: a. I wonder why it is that you are so bothered by her crying..
  b. I'm more concerned that you don't seem to be grieving..
  c. I'll spend some time with her to help her see that crying is counterproductive..
  d. It's hard to see her so upset, but crying is one way of expressing her feelings..

[IRincones]

Answer to Question 1

D
Until a comprehensive assessment of the patient's family and social support systems is performed, it is impossible to consider any of the other options.

Answer to Question 2

D
This reply is empathetic and allows the nurse to begin teaching the spouse the value of expressing feelings related to loss.

[appyboo]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[irishcancer18]

TYSM