A nurse is caring for a client who is involuntarily admitted for major depressive disorder and refuses to take a prescribed oral antianxiety medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Implement consequences until the client takes the medication.

Inform the client that he does not have the right to refuse the medication.

Offer the client the medication at the next scheduled dose time.

Administer the medication to the client via IM injection.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Implement consequences until the client takes the medication:
Punitive measures should never be used in healthcare, especially in the context of mental health treatment. Coercion and punitive consequences can lead to mistrust and hinder the therapeutic relationship, which is crucial in mental health care.

B. Inform the client that he does not have the right to refuse the medication:
While it's important for the client to understand the potential consequences of refusing medication, it's also crucial to respect the client's autonomy and right to make decisions about their own treatment. Involuntary admission doesn't negate the individual's right to be informed and involved in their care decisions to the extent they are able.

C. Offer the client the medication at the next scheduled dose time:
Respecting the client's autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing care. The nurse should continue to offer the medication to the client at the scheduled times. It's essential to maintain open communication with the client, addressing concerns and attempting to build trust, which can sometimes lead to the client accepting the medication voluntarily.

D. Administer the medication to the client via IM injection:
Administering medication against a patient's will is ethically and legally questionable without proper authorization, especially if the patient is not an immediate danger to themselves or others. This approach should be avoided whenever possible.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Rambling speech
Rambling speech is not a typical finding associated with depression. It may indicate other conditions or issues.

B. Insomnia
Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, is a common symptom of depression. Many individuals with depression experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

C. Rapid mood swings
Rapid mood swings are not typically associated with depression. Depression often involves persistent low mood rather than rapid fluctuations.

D. Sundowning
Sundowning refers to a state of confusion and restlessness that occurs in the late afternoon and evening, often seen in individuals with dementia. While it can be related to mood disturbances, it's not specific to depression.

A. Denial B. Compensation C. Rationalization D. Displacement

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Denial:
Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person refuses to accept reality or acknowledge the existence of something that is evident to others. For example, a person diagnosed with a serious illness might deny that they are ill or refuse to believe the diagnosis. In this scenario, the client is not denying a reality; he is expressing anger and directing it toward the nurse.

B. Compensation:
Compensation is a defense mechanism where an individual overachieves in one area to compensate for real or imagined deficiencies in another area. For instance, someone who feels intellectually inferior might excel in sports to compensate for their perceived inadequacy. This is not applicable to the client's situation in the scenario provided.

C. Rationalization:
Rationalization involves providing logical or reasonable explanations to justify behaviors or feelings that might otherwise be unacceptable. For instance, a person might rationalize a failure by blaming external factors rather than accepting personal responsibility. In the scenario, the client is not offering rationalizations but is expressing direct anger.

D. Displacement:
Displacement occurs when emotions, especially anger or frustration, are redirected from the original source to a less threatening target. For example, a person who is angry with their boss might come home and take out their frustration on their family members. In the given situation, the client is displacing his anger from his partner onto the nurse, asking her to leave, making displacement the most appropriate choice.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is involuntarily admitted for major depressive disorder and refuses to take a prescribed oral antianxiety medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who reports that he is angry with his partner because she thinks he is just trying to gain attention. When the nurse attempts to talk to the client, he becomes angry and tells her to leave. Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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