A client with cognitive deficits is extremely suicidal and has not responded to antidepressants. The treatment team is considering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which client information would impact the feasibility of this treatment option?
Because of the client's cognitive deficits, a signed consent is waived.
Because informed consent is required for ECT, cognitive deficits could preclude this option.
Because the client is extremely suicidal, ECT is an appropriate option.
Because antidepressant medications have been ineffective, ECT is a good alternative.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Informed consent is a critical component of many medical treatments, including ECT. It involves the patient's understanding and agreement to the procedure after being fully informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Cognitive deficits can impair a patient's ability to provide informed consent, but they do not automatically waive the requirement for such consent. In fact, additional safeguards are often put in place to protect the rights of individuals with cognitive impairments.
Choice B reason:
ECT is a medical procedure that requires informed consent due to the potential risks and side effects associated with it. If a client has cognitive deficits severe enough to impact their decision-making capacity, they may not be able to provide informed consent. In such cases, treatment options would need to be reconsidered, and alternative methods of obtaining consent, such as through a legal guardian or a court order, might be necessary.
Choice C reason:
While it is true that ECT is considered an effective treatment for severe depression and suicidality, the decision to use ECT should not be based solely on these criteria². The ability of the client to understand and consent to the treatment is also a crucial factor. Therefore, the extremity of the client's suicidal ideation alone does not make ECT automatically the appropriate option without considering the consent issue.
Choice D reason:
ECT is indeed an alternative treatment when antidepressant medications have been ineffective, especially in cases of severe depression and suicidality². However, the effectiveness of ECT does not negate the need for informed consent. The client's cognitive ability to provide consent remains a determining factor in the feasibility of ECT as a treatment option.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Psychotic behavior is not common in postpartum depression; it is more associated with postpartum psychosis, a rare and severe form of the condition.
Choice B reason: Harming the infant is not a common manifestation of postpartum depression and is a misconception.
Choice C reason: Postpartum depression does not typically begin 48 hours after childbirth; this is more indicative of the "baby blues," which are less severe and more transient.
Choice D reason: Women with a history of depression are at a higher risk for postpartum depression, making this statement accurate.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: A cardiac monitor is essential during ECT to monitor the heart's electrical activity, as the procedure can affect heart rate and rhythm.
Choice B reason: A blood pressure monitor is necessary to track the client's blood pressure throughout the procedure, as ECT can cause fluctuations in blood pressure.
Choice C reason: A portable x-ray machine is not typically required in the setup for ECT.
Choice D reason: An EEG monitor is used during ECT to record the electrical activity of the brain, which is crucial for assessing the seizure activity induced by the treatment.

Choice E reason: An ophthalmoscope is not used during ECT; it is an instrument for examining the interior structures of the eye.
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