A female client who has had bipolar disorder for several years ...

[cmoore54]

A female client who has had bipolar disorder for several years decides to stop all of her medications because she is tired of the side effects.
 
  She also cancels all appointments with her therapist, stating that it is just too difficult to plan the visits in her hectic schedule. This client is considered: a. Depressed
  b. Noncompliant
  c. Suffering from an anxiety disorder
  d. Possessing obsessive-compulsive tendencies

Question 2

A patient has a disorder which causes progressive, severe muscle pain and weakness, and she has curtailed physical and social activities to accommodate her condition. She tells the nurse I cannot do anything.
 
  I have to depend on other people to help me. I do not enjoy much of anything anymore; even food does not taste good. I cannot see that my situation will change, so I feel pretty hopeless.. The priority action the nurse should take is to: a. point out that there is always room for hope.
  b. discuss the importance of physical exercise.
  c. inquire about her support system and coping plans.
  d. assess for signs depression and risk for suicide.

[sarah_brady415]

Answer to Question 1

B
Noncompliance occurs with many individuals with mental health disorders because of the ways the side effects of the medication affect an individual as well as other factors. It is important to work with clients to prevent noncompliance. Depression, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies are not indicated in the situation described.

Answer to Question 2

D
The patient is at risk for depression due to having a chronic, deteriorating illness and resulting accumulating losses. She also displays hopelessness. These factors make the need for a thorough assessment for depression and suicide essential. Depression that goes unrecognized and untreated is often responsible for worsening the medical condition and diminishing functional abilities. The other options are not priorities and/or nontherapeutic.