A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client's condition is improving?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. The client experiences self-doubt when making decisions: Indecisiveness and self-doubt are common symptoms of major depressive disorder and do not reflect improvement. They typically indicate ongoing low self-esteem and cognitive impairment. B. The client exhibits a flat affect: A flat or blunted affect is a hallmark of depressive states. Persistence of this symptom suggests the depression is still significantly impacting the client’s emotional expression. C. The client can express angry feelings: Being able to express emotions such as anger can indicate emotional engagement and increased energy, which are signs of clinical improvement in depression. D. The client looks down when speaking to others: This behavior suggests ongoing feelings of worthlessness or poor self-confidence, commonly seen in depressive states and not indicative of recovery.