A nurse in a long-term care facility is assessing an older adult client for depression. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Initiates social interactions with caregivers:One of the key goals for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is to improve social skills and interactions. Encouraging the adolescent to initiate social interactions is a positive and realistic outcome that promotes social development and enhances communication skills.

B. Meets own needs without manipulating others:While fostering independence and self-advocacy is important, adolescents with ASD may struggle with understanding social cues and may not manipulate others in a typical sense. This outcome may not be as relevant or achievable for the individual with ASD.

C. Changes behavior as a result of peer pressure:Adolescents with ASD may have difficulty understanding and responding to peer pressure in the same way as their neurotypical peers. This outcome may not be appropriate or realistic for someone with ASD, as it can lead to increased anxiety or discomfort.

D. Acknowledges that his delusions are not real:This outcome is more relevant to conditions such as schizophrenia or severe psychotic disorders, rather than ASD. Adolescents with autism may experience different cognitive challenges but generally do not have delusions in the way that individuals with psychotic disorders do.

A. "What have you done to change your situation?"
This response can come off as accusatory and might make the client feel judged. It's not the most therapeutic response in this situation.

B. "You should remove yourself from this situation now."
While removing oneself from a harmful situation is generally good advice, it might not be practical or safe in the heat of the moment. Moreover, this response doesn't address the underlying emotional distress the client is expressing.

C. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?"
This response directly assesses the client's suicidal ideation. It's essential to ask direct questions about self-harm when a person expresses feelings of hopelessness, as it provides an opportunity for the client to talk about their thoughts and feelings and for the nurse to assess the level of risk accurately.

D. “We will help get you through this. You'll be fine."
While offering support and reassurance is essential, it doesn't directly address the immediate concern of potential suicidal thoughts. The nurse should assess the client's safety first before providing reassurance.