When communicating with a client who has major depressive ...

[big1devin]

When communicating with a client who has major depressive disorder, the nurse should avoid being:
 
  1. Warm and patient.
  2. Gently encouraging.
  3. Cheerful and outgoing.
  4. Slow and empathic.

Question 2

Which of the following statements made by an abusive family member in a counseling session indicates that the individual has learned positive coping skills?
 
  1. I feel more prepared to care for my father now that I know where to go for assistance.
  2. I am so sorry I lost control; it will never happen again.
  3. From now on I will make sure that my father's needs are met.
  4. Now that I realize I treated my father unfairly, I will change my ways.

[Koolkid240]

Answer to Question 1

3
Rationale: A cheerful and outgoing attitude does not make the client feel better. It may be more comfortable for the nurse to avoid dealing with the client's feelings, but it may lead the client to feel worse, because their feelings seem less important. Warmth and patience are beneficial. Clients with depression may have trouble when others talk too quickly or do not seem to understand, so communication that is slow and empathic would be beneficial. Clients with depression do not want to do things like get out of bed, shower, and put on clothes. They must be encouraged to do so.

Answer to Question 2

1
Rationale: Caring for an older adult at home can cause the family to become frustrated, overextended, and financially depleted. Knowing where to go in the community for assistance with caregiving can bring significant relief and, as a result, reduce violence. Outlining a specific plan for how to handle stressful caregiving shows that the caregiver has developed some effective coping skills. Realizing the unfairness of the treatment does not guarantee that the individual has a realistic, appropriate, and specific plan in place on how to cope with the stressors of caregiving. Saying that the abuse will never happen again does not indicate that the person has a specific plan in place to ensure that it does not happen again. Similarly, making sure that all of the father's needs are met is vague and unrealistic and does not present positive coping skills that the person has to deal with the demands of care.