Author Question: A nurse is interviewing a 57-year-old patient whose father died 4 years ago. The patient's mother, ... (Read 311 times)

Pea0909berry · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A nurse is interviewing a 57-year-old patient whose father died 4 years ago. The patient's mother, for whom the patient was the primary caregiver, recently died. The nurse recognizes that this patient may be at risk for which disorder?

Select all that apply.
1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Panic disorder
4. Bipolar disorder
5. Complicated grief

Question 2

A nurse is seeing a patient who complains of knee pain. Her youngest child just left for college in another state. The previous day, the patient's pipes burst and the basement flooded. During the interview, the patient can't stop crying.

What might the nurse consider?
1. Cumulative stressors may have overwhelmed the patient.
2. If the patient is referred for knee replacement surgery, she will be fine.
3. The patient needs to realize that she is experiencing normal challenges.
4. The patient should have an immediate evaluation for antidepressant medications.

potomatos · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1, 2, 5
Explanation: Although many adult orphans (those who have experienced the loss of both parents) successfully adapt to loss, others exhibit adverse outcomes, including complicated grief, depression, and anxiety. For children who were primary caregivers of a parent, the burdens of caregiving may further be associated with poor post-bereavement outcomes. Panic disorder is not associated with being an adult orphan. Bipolar disorder is related to neurochemical imbalances.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1
Explanation: In caring for adult patients, it often is useful to think of the cumulative and clustering effects of anxiety. When clustered together, otherwise manageable stressors may result in feeling a loss of control or overwhelming anxiety. Addressing the patient's coping skills may be more useful than suggesting medications. Given that the patient has already reported several new sources of stress, she made need emotional support if referred for knee surgery.