Question

A nurse is caring for a client in an outpatient clinic. The client lost her husband of 51 years three months ago. Which findings support that the client is experiencing normal grief reactions rather than clinical depression?

1. The client is experiencing Anhedonia.
2. The client states, "I have good and bad days."
3. The client smiles at the nurse while talking about her grandchild.
4. The client has a persistent state of dysphoria.
5. The client states, "I am having fewer crying spells."

Answer 1

The client showing a mix of good and bad days, smiles when mentioning her grandchild, and has fewer crying spells, are indicators of normal grief reactions as opposed to clinical depression. Anhedonia and persistent dysphoria would be more indicative of depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is caring for a client who lost her husband of 51 years three months ago. The client’s experiences and reactions can help differentiate normal grief reactions from clinical depression. While anhedonia and a persistent state of dysphoria are common in clinical depression, they are not indicative of normal grief. Signs that suggest the client is experiencing normal grief include having good and bad days, smiling while talking about her grandchild, and stating there are fewer crying spells over time. These demonstrate that the client is having emotional reactions of loss but also moments of pleasure and a gradual improvement in the intensity of grief, which are consistent with a normal grieving process rather than major depression.