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 D
A. Encouraging journaling may help with coping over time but does not address potential immediate safety concerns.
B. Asking about other children is not relevant to the mother’s current emotional state and does not assess risk.
C. Reassuring the mother about milestones may minimize her feelings and does not address her depression or potential risk of harm.
D. Asking the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child is the priority response because it assesses for immediate risk of harm. Screening for suicidal or homicidal thoughts is essential when a parent expresses intense depression or hopelessness regarding a child’s condition.
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 C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Postponing the interview until the next day may not be necessary and could delay necessary assessment and care.
Choice B rationale:
Documenting the client's paranoid behavior is important but should be done after the nurse attempts to engage with the client.
Choice C rationale:
Attempting to ask the client simple questions is a non-threatening approach that allows the nurse to start the assessment and establish some rapport. It respects the client's need for space while initiating communication.
Choice D rationale:
Asking another nurse to talk with the client may be an option later if the client remains uncooperative, but the nurse should first attempt to engage with the client directly.
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