A client who has been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica has muscle pain and weakness and
has curtailed physical and social activities to accommodate her condition. She tells the nurse "I
cannot do anything.
I have to depend on other people to help me. I do not enjoy much of anything
any more; even food does not taste good. I cannot see that my situation will change, so I feel pretty
hopeless.". The priority action the nurse should take is to
a. point out positive aspects of the client's situation.
b. discuss the importance of physical exercise.
c. inquire about her social support system.
d. assess for depression.
D
The client has given several indications that she may be depressed. A thorough assessment for
depression should be completed. Depression that goes unrecognized and untreated is often
responsible for worsening the medical condition and diminishing functional abilities. Depression
also presents a risk factor for nonadherence to the treatment plan. The other options do not address
the leads the client has given.
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A woman who is soon to give birth to her first baby asks the nurse when the baby should get its first immunization. The nurse should respond that the first immunization is given at:
a. birth. b. 1 week of age. c. 1 month of age. d. 2 months of age.
Psychiatric stigma means viewing the person with a mental illness as:
a. shameful b. marked by God c. morally bankrupt d. sacrilegious
A severely malnourished patient reports that he is Jewish. The nurse's initial action to meet his nutritional needs will be to
a. have family members bring in food. b. ask the patient about food preferences. c. teach the patient about nutritious Kosher foods. d. order nutrition supplements that are manufactured Kosher.
The nurse determines that the client understands an important principle of weight reduction when the client makes which statement?
1. "Obesity is closely linked with health risks, such as diabetes and hypertension." 2. "The most common cause of obesity is genetically linked hyperthyroidism." 3. "Everyone in my family is overweight; there is nothing I can do about my obesity." 4. "Lifestyle changes are not effective in weight loss if an individual's history includes obesity."