What intervention should a nurse include in the care plan for a client with significant weight loss due to depression?

Including an intervention where the nurse sits with the client to make food and fluid choices from the menu promotes an environment of support and engagement, which is essential in addressing the effects of depression on appetite and nutrition. This approach not only helps the client feel valued and involved in their care but also enables the nurse to assess the client's preferences, dietary needs, and any barriers to eating that the client may be experiencing due to their depressive state.

Additionally, collaboration in selecting meals can stimulate interest in food and encourage a more regular eating routine, which are both critical in mitigating further weight loss and improving overall mental well-being. This supportive interaction can also help to build rapport and trust between the nurse and the client, making the client feel more comfortable discussing their feelings around food and nutrition, which is particularly important in the context of mental health.

In contrast, interventions that lack choice or aim to isolate the client (such as scheduling meal times without options or encouraging the client to eat alone) can exacerbate feelings of helplessness or disconnection that often accompany depression. Similarly, offering only high-calorie meals might not address the client’s preferences or needs adequately, which could lead to resistance or further distress about eating. Thus, the chosen intervention aligns well with best practices for promoting