What is an important intervention for a nurse to include in the care plan for a depressed client who feels hopeless?

The most appropriate intervention for a nurse to include in the care plan for a depressed client who feels hopeless involves assisting the client in identifying sources of hope. This approach is essential because fostering a sense of hope can significantly contribute to a client's motivation to engage in treatment and improve their emotional well-being. When clients can recognize potential positive outcomes in their lives or identify aspects that inspire them, it can motivate them to work toward recovery and challenge the pervasive negative thoughts associated with depression.

Building hope allows clients to see beyond their current feelings of despair, potentially aiding them in developing coping strategies and setting achievable goals. This can enhance their self-efficacy and resilience, which are vital elements for recovery from depression.

In contrast, diversion tactics or distractions, while sometimes useful, do not address the underlying feelings of hopelessness and can prevent deeper engagement with therapeutic processes that promote insight and healing. Avoiding negative feelings fails to validate the client's experience and may inhibit their ability to process emotions. Conversations that merely divert attention lack the therapeutic depth necessary for genuine progress in overcoming depression.