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.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Offering self involves making oneself available to the patient, fostering trust through presence and empathy. Sitting with the patient to facilitate comfort aligns with therapeutic communication, creating a safe space for dialogue, critical in psychiatric nursing, making this the correct choice.

Choice B reason: Sharing the nurse’s personal experiences shifts focus from the patient, risking boundary violations. This is non-therapeutic, as it does not prioritize the patient’s needs or foster their openness, failing to demonstrate the "offering self" technique, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Asking why the patient struggled with adjustment is a probing question that may feel confrontational. It does not convey availability or empathy, key to "offering self," but instead seeks explanation, potentially hindering trust, making this choice non-therapeutic and incorrect.

Choice D reason: Discussing the treatment plan focuses on clinical tasks, not emotional availability. While collaborative, it does not specifically demonstrate "offering self," which emphasizes presence and support to build trust, making this choice less aligned with the therapeutic technique described.

A. How do you feel about having imbalanced neurotransmitters? B. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help your brain communicate; an imbalance can affect mood and behavior C. Let’s focus on your medication to fix the imbalance D. Your doctor can explain that better than I can

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Asking about feelings explores emotions but does not address the patient’s question about neurotransmitters. Educational queries require informative responses to enhance understanding, not redirection to feelings, making this choice non-therapeutic and incorrect for the patient’s need.

Choice B reason: Explaining neurotransmitters as brain communication chemicals directly addresses the patient’s question. It provides clear, accurate information about their role in mood and behavior, aligning with patient education principles in psychiatric nursing, making this the correct, informative response.

Choice C reason: Focusing on medication avoids explaining neurotransmitters, failing to address the patient’s educational need. It shifts focus prematurely to treatment, which may confuse the patient, making this response less effective and incorrect for providing the requested information.

Choice D reason: Deferring to the doctor dismisses the nurse’s role in patient education, undermining trust. Nurses are equipped to explain basic concepts like neurotransmitters, and this response fails to meet the patient’s need for understanding, making it non-therapeutic and incorrect.

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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 assessing a newly hospitalized patient. Select the best example of the communication technique of "offering self."

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient asks, "What are neurotransmitters? My doctor said mine are imbalanced." Select the nurse’s best response.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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?

Which therapeutic technique best communicates to a patient that the nurse is interested in listening?

Applying a bitter substance to the nails for people who tend to bite their nails is a form of which type of therapy?

A patient has acute anxiety related to a car accident. The nurse knows the patient will need teaching about which medication category?

An adult says, "I have no answers," and "My opinion does not count." Which psychosocial crisis was unsuccessfully resolved for this adult?

Which of the following are examples of a nurse using non-therapeutic communication techniques? (Select all that apply)

When using cognitive behavioral theory with an anxious, withdrawn patient, interventions should focus on which of the following?

When considering the suggestions of Hildegard Peplau, which activity should the nurse regularly engage in that supports the theory of interpersonal relations?