During the initial interview at the crisis center, a patient ...

[lidoalex]

During the initial interview at the crisis center, a patient reveals that his wife asked him for a divorce. He is so anxious that he cannot think straight.. Which response would best assess the patient's coping skills?
 
  a. I can see you are upset. You can rely on us to help you feel better..
  b. What would you like us to do to help you feel more relaxed?
  c. In the past, how did you handle difficult or stressful situations?
  d. Do you think you deserve to have things like this happen to you?

Question 2

A patient with serious mental illness who has just moved into a homeless shelter tells the nurse that his life just got out of control.. He says he could not depend on others, so he kept to himself.
 
  Then he added, I am like a leaf at the mercy of the wind.. The nurse adds the nursing diagnosis of Powerlessness to his care plan. Which entry in his chart best suggests that the treatment plan is helping with this diagnosis? a. Spent the day applying for positions at four local fast food places..
  b. Playing chess with peer, went for walk earlier, no paranoia noted..
  c. Hygiene adequate, no body odor noted, washed clothes on his own..
  d. Patient reports that he has made friends with a peer at the group home..

[pratush dev]

Answer to Question 1

C
Exploring past responses to stressful events is the only option that assesses coping skills. Acknowledging distress is helpful, but assuming responsibility for the patient's feeling better is not therapeutic; neither assesses coping ability. Persons in crisis have difficulty with problem solving, so it would be unrealistic to ask them to provide instructions on how staff should help. Asking whether he deserves such experiences would provide information about self-esteem but not coping.

Answer to Question 2

A
A desired outcome would be decreased powerlessness or empowerment achieved, and indicators for those outcomes could include anything that suggests the patient is initiating goal-directed activities or feeling empowered. Applying for positions suggests that he feels empowered and capable. The other observations document decreased withdrawal (interacting), improved self-care (hygiene), and socialization (made friends).

[lidoalex]

Thank you

[pratush dev]

No problemo