After 3 weeks of treatment, a severely depressed client suddenly begins to feel better and starts interacting appropriately with other clients and staff.

After 3 weeks of treatment, a severely depressed client suddenly begins to feel better and starts interacting appropriately with other clients and staff.

The nurse knows that this client has an increased risk for:
A . Suicide
B . Exacerbation of depressive symptoms
C . Violence toward others
D . Psychotic behavior

View Answer

Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) When the severely depressed client suddenly begins to feel better, it often indicates that the client has made the decision to kill himself or herself and has developed a plan to do so.

(B) Improvement in behavior is not indicative of an exacerbation of depressive symptoms.

(C) The depressed client has a tendency for self-violence, not violence toward others.

(D) Depressive behavior is not always accompanied by psychotic behavior.