A despondent patient says, Nothing matters anymore.. The most ...

[audie]

A despondent patient says, Nothing matters anymore.. The most appropriate response by the nurse when would be:
 
  a. Are you having thoughts about suicide?
  b. I am not sure I understand what you're saying..
  c. Try to stay hopeful. Things usually work out..
  d. What used to matter, before the depression?

Question 2

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client who has been diagnosed recently with a mental health disorder and has been prescribed a psychotropic medication.
 
  Which interventions regarding the medication should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.) a. Teach signs and symptoms of side effects and what to do if these occur.
  b. Provide written information regarding the purpose, dosage, route, and dosing schedule.
  c. Ask the client and significant other to verbally explain when it is necessary to contact the physician should side effects occur.
  d. Provide written information regarding how the client should decrease dosages in response to side effects or improvement in symptoms.

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Answer to Question 1

A
The nurse must make overt what is covert, that is, the possibility of suicide must be openly addressed. The patient often feels relieved to be able to talk about suicidal ideation and tends to respond candidly to candid inquiries. Conveying that one does not understand can increase patient despair or self-loathing (for being ineffectual in communications). Try to stay hopeful is a clich that suggests that staff do not appreciate how truly distressed and despondent the patient is feeling. Encouraging hopefulness and focusing on things the patient used to enjoy both serve as obstacles to the patient's efforts to convey his present feelings and interfere with addressing these feelings.

Answer to Question 2

A, B, C
The nurse should teach signs and symptoms of side effects, provide information about the drug, and have the client and significant other verbally explain when it is necessary to call the physician. The nurse should never provide written information about decreasing dosages without contacting the physician. The physician will determine whether side effects can be controlled, or if dosage adjustments are necessary. In addition, improvement in symptoms is most likely the desired effect of the medication and ensures that the dosage and medications are correct.