Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

During a diabetic patient's appointment, which action is most appropriate to evaluate her mental state when accompanied by her mother?

1. Interview the woman alone for objective data.

2. Engage the woman in role-playing.

3. Ask her permission to include her mother in the visit.

4. Contact the mother after the visit regarding concerns.

The correct answer is: Ask her permission to include her mother in the visit.

Asking the woman for permission to include her mother in the visit is the most appropriate action to evaluate her mental state. This approach respects the patient's autonomy and privacy, allowing her to express her comfort level with having her mother present during the appointment. Engaging the patient in a collaborative manner fosters trust and encourages open communication, which is essential for accurately assessing her mental and emotional health. Additionally, involving the patient's mother might provide valuable insights into the patient's support system and any external factors that may impact her mental state. However, it is essential to ensure that the patient feels safe and comfortable discussing her feelings and experiences, which is why seeking her permission is vital. The other options may not be as suitable for various reasons. Interviewing the woman alone could be intrusive without first considering her feelings about her mother's presence. Role-playing, while potentially useful in certain contexts, may not directly address the patient's mental state and could be perceived as dismissive or confusing. Contacting the mother after the visit could lead to misunderstandings or feelings of exclusion for the patient, which might exacerbate any issues she is experiencing. Thus, assessing her willingness to involve her mother in the discussion is the most thoughtful and effective approach.