A nurse is caring for an older adult client following the sudden death of their spouse. The client feels stuck in their ability to deal with work and family responsibilities. The nurse should recognize that the client is experiencing which type of crisis?

Choice A Reason: While this response may seem compassionate, it does not encourage the client to engage in activities that could benefit their mental health. Allowing the client to remain isolated may reinforce feelings of helplessness or depression. It is important to motivate clients to participate in therapeutic activities to promote their recovery.

Choice B Reason: This response is supportive and offers a compromise. It acknowledges the client’s current state and provides assistance, while also gently encouraging participation in activities. By offering help and allowing for rest afterward, the nurse is using an empathetic approach to facilitate the client’s involvement in the unit’s programs.

Choice C Reason: This response is coercive and could be considered a threat. It is not therapeutic to withhold basic needs such as meals as a form of punishment or to force compliance. Such an approach can damage the nurse-client relationship and is not conducive to the client’s recovery.

Choice D Reason: This response may come across as dismissive and demanding. It does not offer support or acknowledge the client’s feelings. Telling the client what they “need” to do without offering help or understanding can lead to resistance and a lack of trust in the nurse-client relationship.

Choice A Reason:
Assessing the client's readiness for therapy is a crucial role of the nurse in CBT. It involves determining whether the client is willing and able to participate in therapy, understands the CBT process, and is motivated to engage in the cognitive and behavioral changes that CBT requires. This assessment helps ensure that the therapy is client-centered and tailored to the individual's specific needs and readiness level.

Choice B Reason:
While involving the client's family can be beneficial in therapy, implementing therapeutic techniques that involve only the client's family does not align with the primary goals of CBT. CBT focuses on the individual's patterns of thinking and behavior, and while family support can be part of the process, the nurse's role is not limited to family involvement alone.

Choice C Reason:
Educating the client to identify and challenge negative thoughts is a fundamental aspect of CBT. The nurse helps the client recognize their automatic negative thoughts, understand the impact these thoughts have on their emotions and behavior, and learn to challenge and reframe these thoughts in a more positive and realistic way.

Choice D Reason:
Evaluating to determine the effectiveness of the actions is part of the nurse's role in CBT. This involves monitoring the client's progress, assessing the outcomes of the interventions, and making necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Evaluation is an ongoing process that ensures the therapy is effective and meets the client's needs.

Choice E Reason:
Collaborating with the client to set achievable goals is essential in CBT. The nurse works with the client to establish clear, measurable, and attainable goals that guide the therapy process. These goals provide direction and motivation, and they help the client focus on making specific changes that will improve their mental health.