The mother of an 8-month-old infant with profound mental and physical disabilities tells the nurse how depressed she is because she realizes that her child will never achieve normal growth and development milestones. How should the nurse respond to this mother?
Encourage the mother to write thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Determine if the mother has other children who do not have developmental disabilities.
Reassure the mother that her child will achieve some growth and development milestones.
Ask the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Encouraging the mother to write her thoughts and feelings in a journal is a constructive and therapeutic response. It provides an outlet for the mother to express her emotions and can be a helpful tool for coping with the challenges she is facing.
Choice B rationale:
Determining if the mother has other children who do not have developmental disabilities may be relevant to understanding her support system and family dynamics, but it does not directly address her current emotional distress.
Choice C rationale:
Reassuring the mother that her child will achieve some growth and development milestones may not be appropriate in this situation, as the child's disabilities are described as profound, and it is uncertain what milestones the child will reach. Providing false hope may not be helpful and could be misleading.
Choice D rationale:
Asking the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child is an important inquiry related to her emotional state and the potential risk of harm. However, it should follow the initial response of encouraging her to express her thoughts and feelings in a journal.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Rationale:
While emotional expression and ventilation can be therapeutic, it may not be the most appropriate coping strategy for someone with depression who may already be overwhelmed by negative emotions. Ventilating emotions without a structured approach might not provide the desired relief and can even exacerbate feelings of distress.
Choice B Rationale:
This choice may not be suitable for someone with depression because it could lead to further neglect of their own needs and contribute to feelings of guilt or exhaustion.
Choice C Rationale:
While relaxation techniques can be helpful, reducing the effort to solve problems may not be the most effective strategy for individuals with depression. Avoidance of problems can perpetuate feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Choice D Rationale:
For a client with depression who is struggling with handling personal circumstances, focusing on small achievable tasks can be a helpful coping strategy. Breaking down larger problems into manageable steps can reduce feelings of overwhelm and gradually improve the client's sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- A: Asking the client why she checks the locks may provide insight into her anxieties but does not directly address the behavior or its impact on her daily functioning.
- B: Determining the type and size of the locks does not address the client's behavior or the underlying anxiety causing the behavior.
- C: Discussing checking the time frequently could help with time management but does not address the compulsive behavior or its root cause.
- D: Planning a list of activities to be carried out daily can help the client establish a routine, which may reduce anxiety and the need for repetitive checking. This approach encourages the client to focus on tasks and manage time more effectively, potentially reducing the impact of her compulsive behaviors on daily functioning.
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