Question

The nurse observes signs of depression in a client who has been hospitalized for several weeks because of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The client confirms his fears of never, Being able to work and support my family as I did before. The nurse's initial intervention is to:

1. Offer to arrange for him to speak with the facility's chaplain
2. Assure the client that physical therapy will help him tremendously
3. Revise his care plan to include interventions to assist him with coping
4. Tell his health care provider of his need for antidepressant medication

Answer 1

The nurse's initial intervention for a client showing signs of depression should be to revise the care plan to include coping interventions. This step allows for direct action to address immediate concerns and plan for the appropriate mental health support and rehabilitation services.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse observes signs of depression in a client, and the initial intervention should address the client's psychological needs as well as his fears concerning his future work and family support. The best first step is option 3: Revise his care plan to include interventions to assist him with coping. By doing this, the nurse directly addresses the client’s immediate concerns by planning interventions which may include emotional support, psychotherapy, and the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team to assess and support the client's mental health and rehabilitation process.

If client's condition warrants it, referrals to a psychiatrist for assessment regarding antidepressant medications or other treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or electroconvulsive therapy could be part of the revised care plan. Options 1, 2, and 4 focus on specific actions that might follow based on the comprehensive plan but they are not initial interventions. Communicating needs to the healthcare provider and considering therapeutic interventions remains vital throughout the client’s recovery.