A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder.

Exhibits

Select words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence.

After assessing the client and reviewing the client's medical record, the nurse determines that the client could be experiencing which of the following?

The client could be experiencing

and

.

A. Brief Patient Health Questionnaire (Brief PHQ):

The Brief PHQ is a screening tool used to assess symptoms of depression. While it may be relevant to assess mood and emotional well-being, it is not specific to evaluating cognitive functioning or cognitive disorders.

B. Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS):

The AIMS is used to assess involuntary movements, particularly in individuals taking antipsychotic medications. It is not directly related to assessing cognitive disorders.

C,. Mental status examination (MSE)

Explanation:

When admitting an older adult client with a suspected cognitive disorder, including a mental status examination (MSE) as part of the assessment is crucial. The MSE is a structured assessment of a client's current cognitive functioning, emotional state, and thought processes. It helps to evaluate memory, attention, language, perception, orientation, mood, and other cognitive and emotional domains.

D. Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS):

The SANS is used to assess negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. It focuses on features such as affective blunting, alogia, anhedonia, and other negative symptoms. While it may provide important information about a client's mental state, it is not primarily used to assess cognitive disorders.

Assessing cognitive function is a key component when evaluating older adult clients for cognitive disorders such as dementia or other cognitive impairments. The MSE provides valuable information to guide diagnosis and treatment planning for these conditions.

A. "Why are you feeling so down?"

This response could come across as confrontational or invasive, potentially making the client feel uncomfortable. The client has already expressed their desire not to talk at the moment, so pushing for an explanation may not be well-received.

B. "I’ll just sit here with you for a few minutes then."

Explanation:

This response shows empathy and support without pushing the client to talk or sharing personal experiences. It respects the client's desire for space and acknowledges their emotions without being intrusive. It provides a calming and non-intrusive presence, giving the client the option to open up if and when they are ready.

C. "I understand. I've felt like that before, too."

While sharing personal experiences can sometimes be helpful, in this context, it might inadvertently shift the focus from the client's emotions to the nurse's experiences. It's important to keep the focus on the client and their feelings.

D. "It might help you feel better if you talk about it."

Suggesting that talking might help is well-intentioned, but it might pressure the client into discussing their feelings when they have clearly stated their preference not to at that moment. The client's autonomy and comfort should be respected.