Somatic Therapies
In completing the case study, students will be addressing the following learning objectives:
Identify the nurse's role in caring for people undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and their families.
Describe the procedure for ECT, its indications, and its potential side effects.
1. Julie Abrams, a married 45-year-old African American client, is admitted to the hospital for severe depression. Although Julie is taking her antidepressant medication, she seldom leaves her bed, sleeps most of the time, and has refused to eat for 6 days. Her psychiatrist has decided that ECT treatments are necessary to improve Julie's depression. Mr. Abrams, Julie's husband, is alarmed to learn that Julie will receive ECT. The psychiatric nurse practitioner explains the ECT procedure and treatment that Julie will receive. Mr. Abrams asked the nurse practitioner what ECT is, how it will help Julie, and if there will be any harmful effects for her.
a. What information will you provide to Mr. Abrams concerning ECT, how it works, and any adverse effects?
b. Prioritize the nursing care responsibilities for Julie.