A 60-year-old female who is being treated for stable major depressive disorder and generalized

A 60-year-old female who is being treated for stable major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder presents for a follow-up appointment. She mentions that she sometimes forgets where she has left her car keys. The NP’s next step is to:

In this scenario, the 60-year-old female patient is being treated for stable major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and is now expressing concerns about occasional forgetfulness, such as misplacing her car keys. Given her age and the context of her mental health conditions, the nurse practitioner (NP) should approach this situation with a thorough assessment.

The NP’s next step should be to:

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment:

The NP should ask the patient about the frequency and context of her forgetfulness. Questions can include:
How often does she forget things?
Is it limited to certain types of items or situations?
Has she noticed any other cognitive changes (e.g., difficulty concentrating, confusion)?
Are there any recent stressors or changes in her life that may contribute to her symptoms?
2. Rule Out Potential Causes:

Evaluate whether the forgetfulness may be related to her medications, depression, anxiety, or other health issues. The NP might consider a review of her current medications to see if any could contribute to cognitive changes.
3. Consider Further Evaluation:

If concerns persist after assessment, the NP may consider screening for possible underlying conditions such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia, especially given the patient’s age.
Therefore, the NP’s immediate next step is to conduct a detailed assessment of the patient’s cognitive function and any associated factors. If significant concerns arise from this evaluation, further testing or referrals may be warranted.