macintosh
Forum Elite
Topics: 38
Posts: 178
|
A 62-year-old man comes to the physician with a 3-month history of fatigue and depression. He lives alone and has been drinking more (up to 6 mixed alcoholic drinks daily) since his wife of 40 years died 6 months ago. He says, "Yeah, I know I've been drinking a lot lately, but I'm so down in the dumps there's nothing else I want to do. I miss her so much." Which of the following responses by the physician is most appropriate?
A) "Anybody in your circumstance would be depressed. Time will help you overcome the loss of your wife."
B) "Drinking isn't going to bring your wife back. You need to get on with your life and put this sad experience behind you."
C) "I know you have been through a lot recently. Have things been so bad recently that you have thought about killing yourself?"
D) "I'd like to start you on some medication for depression. It sometimes takes a few weeks to work."
E) "You seem to be developing an alcohol problem. You need to quit drinking. I can refer you to the local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous."
|
| medic21
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 19
|
c..is that the ans
|
| macintosh
Forum Elite
Topics: 38
Posts: 178
|
It is already known that the patient is depressed, as stated in the question stem. In addition his wife died recently, so as indicated in the question he may also be greiving her loss. he is mixing up alcohol drinks which is not explained by a normal grief reaction. A depressed pateint has a higher suicide risk. Antidepressants should only be prescribed under monitored settings such as a hospital, as there is a higher chance the patient may commit suicide following the depression treatment.
C is very likely. Please provide your own reasoning.
|
|
| |
| | | |
