A nurse is interviewing a 76-year-old patient who lost her spouse ...

[Shelles]

A nurse is interviewing a 76-year-old patient who lost her spouse of 51 years over a year ago. The patient describes herself as feeling intensely sad and hopeless all the time. What is an appropriate response for the nurse?
 
  1. Assess the patient as experiencing normal grieving.
  2. Decide that the patient is experiencing unresolved grief.
  3. Determine that the patient is experiencing chronic sorrow.
  4. Determine that further assessment for depression is needed.

Question 2

A 17-year old-patient recently lost her mother. At her annual physical examination, the patient tells the nurse she will not be able to attend the residential college she had planned for because her responsibilities with her siblings at home have
 
  increased. Why will the nurse assess the patient for signs and symptoms of depression?
  1. All adolescents suffer from depression.
  2. Multiple losses increase the likelihood of depression
  3. Lack of support increases the likelihood of depression.
  4. Pressure to function increases the likelihood of depression.

[robbielu01]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 4
Explanation: Based on the patient's feeling of hopelessness and the duration of intense grieving, the patient should be evaluated for depression. Normal grieving is not characterized by hopelessness. Unresolved grief occurs when individuals suppress or avoid grief. Chronic sorrow is a response to an ongoing source of grief.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 2
Explanation: Multiple losses overwhelm usual coping mechanisms and place the individual at risk for depression. Although adolescents are at increased risk of depression, not all adolescents suffer from that condition. There is no indication that this patient is experiencing a lack of support. Pressure to function is not a significant indicator of depression.

[Shelles]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[helenmarkerine]

Gracias!