A nurse is discussing health practices with the mother of a toddler who is from a different cultural background than the nurse. Which of the following statements by the mother indicates that she practices cupping?

Rationale for correct choices:

• Suicide: The client verbalizes hopelessness, worthlessness, and passive death wishes, stating “I wish I weren’t here.” There is a prior history of threatening to kill self and recent significant psychosocial stressors, including loss of a relationship and employment. Placement on one‑to‑one observation indicates concern for imminent self-harm risk.

• Suicidal ideation: The client expresses passive thoughts of not wanting to exist and significant emotional distress. Statements reflecting hopelessness and desire to escape life stressors are key indicators of suicidal ideation. These findings directly support an increased risk for suicide in the context of the patient’s depression.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Self mutilation: There is no evidence of deliberate self-injury behaviors such as cutting or burning. The client’s statements reflect thoughts about death rather than non-suicidal self-injury used to cope with emotional distress.

• Substance abuse: No information indicates current or past misuse of alcohol or drugs. The client’s symptoms are centered on mood disturbance, loss, and hopelessness rather than substance-seeking behavior or intoxication.

• Acute stress disorder: Acute stress disorder occurs shortly after a traumatic event and includes dissociation, intrusion symptoms, and hyperarousal. The client’s presentation reflects depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts rather than trauma-related responses.

• Borderline personality disorder: There is no documented pattern of unstable relationships, impulsivity, identity disturbance, or chronic emotional dysregulation. The current symptoms are better explained by depression with suicidal ideation rather than a personality disorder.

A. Hypertension: Hyponatremia typically does not cause high blood pressure. In fact, low sodium levels can lead to fluid shifts and hypotension in severe cases, rather than hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure is important, but hypertension is not an expected finding of hyponatremia.

B. Blurred vision: Blurred vision is not a classic symptom of hyponatremia. While severe electrolyte imbalances can affect neurological function, visual changes are more commonly associated with hypernatremia or other conditions affecting the eyes.

C. Constipation: Constipation is not directly linked to low sodium levels. Hyponatremia primarily affects neuromuscular and neurological function, rather than gastrointestinal motility.

D. Muscle cramps: Muscle cramps are a common manifestation of hyponatremia due to the disruption of sodium’s role in neuromuscular excitability. Low sodium levels can cause involuntary muscle contractions, weakness, and twitching.