Which behaviour by the patient indicates ineffective coping?

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Explanation

Neglecting personal grooming is a form of self-neglect and indicates a failure to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs).
This behavior suggests the individual's psychological energy is depleted and their coping resources are exhausted, which is the definition of ineffective coping.
Poor personal hygiene is a key assessment finding that supports a nursing diagnosis of altered self-concept or situational low self-esteem, which are closely linked to ineffective coping.
It often signals underlying psychological distress, such as depression, severe anxiety, or overwhelming grief.

Option B: Looking at old family photos is a form of reminiscence, a healthy and therapeutic way to process memories, feelings, and grief.
Option C: Actively participating in a social program demonstrates a desire for social connection and engagement, which is a highly effective and adaptive coping strategy.
Option D: Engaging in mourning rituals, such as visiting a grave, is a normal and healthy part of the grieving process that helps individuals process their loss.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Identification of ineffective versus effective coping mechanisms to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses must be able to differentiate between healthy grieving/coping and signs of ineffective coping to intervene early, provide support, and prevent further functional decline.
Recognizing self-neglect is a critical patient safety issue, prompting further assessment for depression, suicide risk, and the need for psychological and social support.
A nurse's assessment of ADLs is fundamental. A decline in a patient's ability or willingness to perform self-care is a red flag that requires further investigation into their psychosocial well-being.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question: 'ineffective coping'. This means you are looking for a negative, dysfunctional, or harmful behavior.
Analyze each option by asking: 'Does this behavior help the person function and process their emotions, or does it show a breakdown in their ability to function?'
Evaluate 'Neglecting personal grooming'. This is a failure to perform a basic activity of daily living (ADL), indicating a breakdown.
Evaluate the other options: Looking at photos, joining a program, and visiting a grave are all purposeful actions related to emotional processing, socializing, or mourning.
Conclude that the behavior showing a failure in basic self-care is the strongest indicator of ineffective coping.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of ineffective versus effective coping mechanisms.
Stem keywords: ineffective coping, behaviour, patient
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.