A nurse is contributing to the care plan for a newly admitted client suffering from severe depressive disorder.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse incorporate into the plan?

Choice A rationale:

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a well-established technique for stress reduction. It involves systematically tensing and releasing different muscle groups throughout the body. This process helps to release physical tension, promote relaxation, and decrease feelings of stress and anxiety.

PMR has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and anxiety in various populations, including individuals with chronic pain, anxiety disorders, and sleep difficulties.

It is a simple, safe, and accessible technique that can be practiced independently without any special equipment or training.

Choice B rationale:

While sleeping in can provide temporary relief from stress, it is not considered an adaptive coping strategy in the long term.

Oversleeping can disrupt sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, which can actually worsen stress and anxiety in the long run.

It can also lead to social isolation and decreased productivity, further compounding stress.

Choice C rationale:

While distraction techniques, such as thinking about a favorite vacation, can provide temporary relief from stress, they do not address the underlying causes of stress.

Overreliance on distraction can prevent individuals from developing more effective coping strategies for managing stress in the long term.

Choice D rationale:

Social isolation is generally considered a maladaptive coping strategy. While it may provide temporary relief from overwhelming situations, it can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, disconnection, and rumination.

It can also prevent individuals from seeking support and developing more effective coping strategies.

Choice E rationale:

Social support is a crucial factor in stress management. Connecting with supportive friends and loved ones can provide emotional comfort, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote a sense of belonging.

Positive social interactions can also buffer the negative effects of stress and promote resilience.

Choice A rationale:

Concrete thinking is a cognitive distortion characterized by a rigid and literal interpretation of events and experiences. Individuals with concrete thinking often struggle to grasp abstract concepts, metaphors, or multiple perspectives. They tend to view situations in black-and-white terms, with little room for nuance or ambiguity.

Statement A, "I am aware that each problem has only one solution," exemplifies concrete thinking in several ways:

Absolute language: The use of the phrase "each problem has only one solution" suggests a fixed and inflexible mindset. It implies that there is only one correct way to approach any given problem, disregarding the possibility of alternative solutions or perspectives.

Oversimplification: The statement reduces the complexity of problem-solving to a single, definitive answer. It fails to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of most problems, which often require creative thinking, flexibility, and consideration of multiple factors.

Lack of abstract

Intolerance of ambiguity: Concrete thinkers often experience discomfort with uncertainty or open-ended situations. They prefer clear-cut answers and definitive conclusions, which can lead to frustration and anxiety when faced with complex or ambiguous problems.