The client has very recently been let go from his place of employment

The client has very recently been let go from his place of employment and is very upset about the loss. The nurse is establishing a plan of care for the client, she determines that an appropriate outcome for this client with situational low self-esteem is

1. Client will recognize his inability to make decisions
2. Client will respond to anxiety with decreased amounts of stress
3. Client will use therapeutic communication skills to discuss his needs
4. Client will discuss a minimum of two areas where he is functioning well

ANSWER

ANS: 4
An appropriate outcome for the client with situational low self-esteem would be for the client to discuss a minimum of two areas where he is functioning well. Having the client recognize his in-ability to make decisions would not be an appropriate outcome for the client with low self-esteem. The focus should be on his abilities, not inability. Client responding to the anxiety with decreased amounts of stress does not address the issue of low self-esteem. Being able to use therapeutic communication is always an asset, but the focus should be on improving his self-esteem by determining his strengths, recognizing his worth as a person, realizing what he is able to control, and providing support from others who are having, or had, the same experience.