A patient who is diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) tells the nurse, "I feel obsessed with thoughts about dying. Do you think I am just being morbid?" Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "Thinking about dying will not improve the course of AIDS."
b. "It is important to focus on the good things about your life now."
c. "Do you think that taking an antidepressant might be helpful to you?"
d. "Can you tell me more about the kind of thoughts that you are having?"
ANS: D
More assessment of the patient's psychosocial status is needed before taking any other action. The statements, "Thinking about dying will not improve the course of AIDS" and "It is important to focus on the good things in life" discourage the patient from sharing any further information with the nurse and decrease the nurse's ability to develop a trusting relationship with the patient. Although antidepressants may be helpful, the initial action should be further assessment of the patient's feelings.
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