A Nurse Is Seeing a 71-Year-Old Patient with Parkinson Disease

A nurse is seeing a 71-year-old patient with Parkinson disease. The patient has frequent episodes of crying and reports having panic attacks, during which she feels as though she can't breathe. How should the nurse respond?

A) Inform the patient that depression is a normal reaction to a diagnosis of physical illness and it will naturally improve over time.
B) Inform the patient that a diagnosis of depression is unrelated to a diagnosis of Parkinson disease and refer the patient for counseling.
C) Inform the patient that brain changes that occur with Parkinson disease may be associated with high levels of depression and anxiety and may respond to pharmacotherapy.
D) Inform the patient that pharmacological treatment for depression is usually unsuccessful in patients with Parkinson disease because of possible side effects.