A patient diagnosed with a serious mental illness died suddenly at age 52. The patient lived in the community for 5 years without relapse and held supported employment the past 6 months. The distressed family asks, 'How could this happen?' Which response by the nurse accurately reflects research and addresses the family's question?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The family is in distress. Because they do not understand his death, they are less able to accept it and seek specific information to help them understand what happened. Persons with serious mental illness die an average of 25 years prematurely. Contributing factors include failing to provide for their own health needs (e.g forgetting to take medicine), inability to access or pay for care, higher rates of smoking, poor diet, criminal victimization, and stigma. The most accurate answer indicates that seriously mentally ill people are at much higher risk of premature death for a variety of reasons. Staff would not have been surprised that the patient died prematurely, and they would not attribute his death to random, undetected medical problems. Although the cause of death will not be reliably established until the autopsy, this response fails to address the familys need for information.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges the diversity of sexual practices and respects the patient's autonomy in sharing their sexual history. It also allows the patient to openly discuss their pattern without feeling pressured. Choice B is incorrect because it focuses on potential medical problems rather than directly asking about the patient's sexual practices. Choice C is incorrect as it may come across as too intrusive and lacks a non-judgmental approach. Choice D is incorrect as it implies the patient's information will be shared without their consent, which violates patient confidentiality.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because assessing the patient's mood is crucial in detecting depression in the elderly. Depression is common in older adults and can often go undiagnosed. By asking about their mood, the nurse can identify potential signs of depression early on. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to assessing depression. Memory issues (B) may indicate cognitive decline, increased alcohol use (C) could suggest substance abuse, and pain (D) may signal physical health concerns, but they are not specific indicators of depression in the elderly.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Discussing national leadership during the Vietnam War is most appropriate as it aligns with the reminiscence therapy goal of recalling past experiences to promote social interaction and cognitive stimulation. It is relevant to the age group of young-old adults who may have lived through that era, sparking meaningful discussions. Choice A does not directly relate to reminiscence therapy. Choice B may not resonate with all group members. Choice D focuses on negative news, which is not conducive to the therapeutic purpose.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct term to be documented is C: Lanugo. Lanugo is fine, downy hair that can cover a patient's body, often seen in newborns or individuals with certain medical conditions. In this case, the presence of lanugo indicates a potential underlying issue. Amenorrhea (A) refers to the absence of menstruation, not related to the hair. Alopecia (B) is hair loss, the opposite of lanugo. Stupor (D) is a state of reduced consciousness, not related to the hair condition described. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer as it directly matches the description given in the question.