A nurse is teaching a class at a local senior center regarding safety in the home. A client states, “I am afraid of falling because I live alone and have no one to help me.” Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Contacting a family member weekly does not directly address fall prevention for a senior living alone. While social support is valuable, it does not mitigate physical fall risks like environmental hazards. This response fails to provide practical safety measures, making it inadequate for the client’s concern.
Choice B reason: Suggesting a move to a skilled nursing facility is extreme and dismisses the client’s autonomy to remain at home. Many seniors can live safely with modifications like grab bars or assistive devices. This response does not address immediate fall prevention strategies, making it inappropriate and overly restrictive.
Choice C reason: Having an unlicensed assistive person stay daily is impractical and costly for fall prevention. It does not address environmental hazards, the primary cause of falls. Home modifications and assistive devices are more effective and sustainable, making this response less appropriate than environmental safety measures.
Choice D reason: Installing grab bars and removing loose rugs directly reduces fall risks by improving stability and eliminating tripping hazards. These evidence-based modifications are effective for seniors living alone, enhancing safety without compromising independence. This response addresses the client’s fear with practical, actionable solutions, making it correct.

Choice A reason: Increased energy and motivation signal improvement in major depressive disorder, countering fatigue and anhedonia. Serotonin and norepinephrine rebalance, often from treatment, restores drive and engagement, reflecting neurochemical stabilization in the brain’s limbic system, critical for mood regulation and recovery.
Choice B reason: Self-doubt in decision-making reflects persistent depressive symptoms, like low self-esteem and cognitive impairment. Negative thought patterns, driven by altered prefrontal cortex activity, indicate ongoing depression, not improvement, requiring adjusted interventions to address these neurocognitive deficits in major depressive disorder.
Choice C reason: Sleeping 12 hours daily indicates hypersomnia, a depressive symptom, suggesting no improvement. Disrupted circadian rhythms and serotonin dysregulation cause excessive sleep, contrasting with recovery signs like normalized sleep patterns. This reflects persistent neurochemical imbalances hindering mood stabilization in depression.
Choice D reason: Social isolation is a core depressive symptom, driven by anhedonia and low mood, indicating no improvement. Withdrawal reflects ongoing dopamine and serotonin imbalances, preventing social engagement. Recovery involves increased interaction, making isolation a sign of persistent major depressive disorder.