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. Increased time sleeping:
Increased time sleeping alone is not a specific or direct indicator of PTSD. However, changes in sleep patterns are common in individuals with PTSD, with symptoms like nightmares, insomnia, and disturbances in sleep. These disturbances can lead to increased time in bed, but this alone is not a definitive sign of PTSD.

B. Inability to express empathy:
Inability to express empathy is a complex issue and could be related to various emotional or psychological factors. While people with PTSD can experience difficulties in interpersonal relationships, including issues with empathy, this alone is not a specific indicator of the disorder. PTSD primarily involves symptoms related to re-experiencing trauma, avoidance, negative mood changes, and arousal symptoms.
C. Auditory hallucinations:
Auditory hallucinations, which involve hearing voices or sounds that others do not, are not typically associated with PTSD. This symptom is more commonly linked to conditions like schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, but it is not specific to PTSD.

D. Difficulty concentrating:
Difficulty concentrating is a common and well-recognized symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD often struggle with focus, memory, and attention due to the intrusion of traumatic thoughts and memories. This symptom can significantly impact their daily functioning and is one of the hallmark features of the disorder.

A. Discuss the provider's goals for the client's care:
Discussing the provider's goals is essential, but it may not directly address the client's concerns about medication adherence. While these goals are important for the overall care plan, it's crucial to first engage in a conversation with the client about their specific issues and challenges related to taking the prescribed medication. The client's perspective and concerns should be a priority.

B. Ask the client if the medication is causing adverse effects:
This is the recommended choice. Inquiring about adverse effects is important to understand the client's experience with the medication. Some clients may discontinue their medication due to intolerable side effects. By addressing this concern, the nurse can provide education, seek potential solutions, and collaborate with the healthcare team to adjust the medication or dosage. Open communication helps to identify and mitigate barriers to medication adherence.

C. Tell the client they will be admitted to an inpatient care facility if they do not take the medication:
This choice involves a coercive and threatening approach. It's not an ethical or therapeutic method to promote medication adherence. Threatening involuntary hospitalization can create fear and mistrust, potentially leading to further non-compliance and damaging the therapeutic relationship. It should be avoided.

D. Request the provider prescribe a second antipsychotic medication to the client:
This option is not appropriate at this stage. Adding another medication without addressing the underlying issue of non-adherence and without assessing the client's response to the current medication is not advisable. It can complicate the medication regimen, potentially worsen side effects, and doesn't address the primary concern, which is the client's non-adherence to their current medication. It's important to understand the reasons for non-adherence before considering additional medications.