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 A
Explanation
Choice A Rationale:
Ecchymotic blood accumulations (bruises) are indicative of possible trauma or injury to the scalp. In this case, it suggests that the hair loss is likely due to physical manipulation (such as pulling or arranging the hair to cover bald spots) rather than a medical condition.
Choice B rationale:
This choice suggests that evidence of patches of lost hair would be indicative of non-disease-related hair loss. However, this is not necessarily true. Medical conditions, such as alopecia areata, can also cause patchy hair loss without physical trauma. Therefore, it is not a definitive indicator that hair loss is not disease-related.
Choice C rationale:
Episodic complaints of pruritus (itching) could be associated with various scalp conditions, including those that lead to hair loss. Itching alone does not rule out disease-related hair loss. In fact, some medical conditions can cause both itching and hair loss.
Choice D rationale:
Erythema (redness) of localized lesions may suggest inflammation but does not necessarily indicate non-disease-related hair loss. Medical conditions can also cause localized inflammation and hair loss.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
It is crucial to obtain information about any history of heart disease before starting an antidepressant-like sertraline because certain antidepressants can have effects on the heart's electrical conduction system. Sertraline, in particular, may be associated with QT interval prolongation, and individuals with a history of heart disease may be at higher risk. Assessing this history helps the nurse make informed decisions about the client's treatment and potential risks.
Choice B rationale:
While a familial history of mental illness is important to consider, it is not the most critical information to obtain before starting sertraline. The primary concern with sertraline is its potential impact on the heart's electrical conduction system, making option A (heart disease history) more relevant.
Choice C rationale:
Current weight is essential to monitor during treatment with sertraline as it can impact dosing, but it is not the most critical piece of information to obtain before starting the medication.
Choice D rationale:
Medication history is important but not the most critical information in this context. Assessing any history of heart disease (Option A) takes precedence due to the specific cardiovascular risks associated with sertraline.
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