To aid in the diagnosis of a client experiencing symptoms of ...

[appyboo]

To aid in the diagnosis of a client experiencing symptoms of depression, the nurse expects to see which of the following laboratory value changes?
 
  1. Elevated serum cortisol level
   2. Cerebral cortex changes on MRI
   3. Alteration in cerebral blood flow from cerebral angiogram
   4. Electrocardiogram changes

Question 2

A 75-year-old client on a medical unit awakens from sleep with confusion about where she is. She insists her daughter is in the other room and wants to see her.
 
  The nurse reorients the patient to her surroundings and gets the client to return to sleep. In reviewing the client's record, what data would be considered a source of the patient's confusion? 1. Pain medication received
   2. The death of the client's husband last month
   3. The client's age
   4. History of cardiac disease

[LegendaryAnswers]

Answer to Question 1

1. Elevated serum cortisol level

Rationale:
There are no laboratory studies that definitively diagnose mood disorders, but some abnormal findings are noted more often in mood-disordered individuals than in control subjects. One of these abnormal findings is an elevated serum cortisol level. Cerebral cortex changes on MRIs, alterations in cerebral blood flow from cerebral angiogram, and electrocardiogram changes are not associated with the diagnosis of mood disorders.

Answer to Question 2

1. Pain medication received

Rationale:
Certain medications, such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and pain medications, can cause symptoms similar to dementia. Therefore, the client's medication must be reviewed to determine the effects of drugs and cognitive changes. Although loss of a loved one may result in depression, it is unlikely to be the source of confusion. Age alone does not cause confusion, and cardiac disease alone would not cause confusion.

[appyboo]

Thank you!

[LegendaryAnswers]

Always glad to help...