A nurse is conducting a mental health assessment for a patient reporting persistent feelings of hopelessness. Which intervention best aligns with evidence-based practice for addressing this symptom?

Recommend immediate electroconvulsive therapy

Initiate cognitive behavioral therapy techniques

Administer a high-dose benzodiazepine

Encourage the patient to avoid social interactions

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is reserved for severe, treatment-resistant depression or acute suicidal ideation, not general hopelessness. It involves significant risks and requires specialist oversight, making it inappropriate as a first-line intervention for this symptom, which can be addressed with less invasive methods.

Choice B reason: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) targets negative thought patterns, such as hopelessness, by restructuring cognitions, a core feature of depression. Evidence-based for mood disorders, CBT reduces symptoms through structured interventions, making it the most appropriate choice for addressing hopelessness in a mental health assessment.

Choice C reason: High-dose benzodiazepines treat acute anxiety or agitation, not hopelessness, which is a depressive symptom. They risk sedation and dependence without addressing cognitive distortions, making them inappropriate for this symptom and contrary to evidence-based psychiatric nursing practice.

Choice D reason: Avoiding social interactions may worsen hopelessness by increasing isolation, a risk factor for depression. Evidence-based practice encourages social engagement to improve mood and support networks, making this intervention counterproductive and incorrect for addressing the patient’s reported symptom.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: A 16-year-old voluntarily admitted for mental health treatment has the legal right to refuse treatment, as voluntary admission implies consent and autonomy. Minors may have limited rights, but voluntary status allows refusal unless overridden by guardianship or legal statutes, making this the correct choice.

Choice B reason: A 20-year-old with court-ordered treatment lacks the legal right to refuse, as a court mandate overrides autonomy due to assessed risk or incapacity. Legal frameworks prioritize compliance in such cases to ensure safety and treatment efficacy, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: A 35-year-old involuntarily admitted client cannot refuse treatment, as involuntary admission indicates a legal determination of danger or incapacity. Mental health laws prioritize intervention over autonomy in these cases to protect the client or others, making this choice incorrect.

Choice D reason: An adult refusing life-threatening treatment may face legal restrictions, as mental health laws can override refusal if the client poses a danger or lacks capacity. This scenario does not clearly grant a legal right to refuse, unlike voluntary admission, making this choice incorrect.

A. Discussing the patient’s history with other staff during care planning B. Documenting the patient’s daily behavior during hospitalization C. Releasing information to the patient’s employer without their consent D. Asking family to share information about a patient’s pre-hospitalization behavior

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Discussing patient history with staff during care planning is permissible under HIPAA for treatment purposes. It ensures coordinated care within the healthcare team, not violating privacy, as it is limited to professional need-to-know, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Documenting daily behavior is standard practice in medical records for treatment continuity and legal documentation. It is protected under confidentiality laws and does not breach privacy when restricted to authorized personnel, making this choice incorrect for a privacy violation.

Choice C reason: Releasing information to an employer without consent violates HIPAA, which mandates patient authorization for disclosures outside treatment, payment, or operations. This breaches confidentiality, compromising the patient’s right to privacy, making this the correct choice for a privacy violation.

Choice D reason: Asking family for pre-hospitalization information is appropriate if done with patient consent or legal justification, such as assessing history for treatment. Without evidence of unauthorized disclosure, this does not inherently breach privacy, making this choice incorrect.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is conducting a mental health assessment for a patient reporting persistent feelings of hopelessness. Which intervention best aligns with evidence-based practice for addressing this symptom?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a group of clients in an acute mental health facility. Which of the following clients has the legal right to refuse treatment?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which action by a nurse indicates a breach of a patient’s right to privacy?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A fearful patient has an increased heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse suspects increased activity of which neurotransmitter?

A nurse is caring for patients receiving clozapine, lithium, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine. Which patient should the nurse be most alert for problems associated with fluid and electrolyte imbalance?

Which patient meets criteria for involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric treatment?

A nurse uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs to plan care for a patient diagnosed with mental illness. Which problem will receive priority?

A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I don’t belong here." Which response is most appropriate?

An adolescent hospitalized after a physical outburst tells the nurse, "I’m going to kill my father, but you can’t tell anyone." Select the nurse’s best response.

Which comment indicates the patient perceived the nurse was caring?

A nurse is preparing morning medications for all patients, and one patient says, "I am not taking any of those pills!" The nurse gets frustrated and forcefully holds the patient to administer the medication over the patient’s objection. Which term best describes this action?