Which of the following actions are appropriate and which are inappropriate when carrying out mood screening?

Which of the following actions are appropriate and which are inappropriate when carrying out mood screening?

Appropriate actions

Explain why you are giving the questionnaire

Explain that a person’s mood can be affected after a stroke and that it is important to know how someone is feeling about himself or herself as this can affect rehabilitation and the ability to progress as much as possible. Make it clear that this is a routine part of his or her care.

Ensure that someone who knows the patient well administers the questionnaire

If at all possible a member of staff whom the patient feels at ease with should give the questionnaire in the hope of gaining more information.

Make sure the person has his/her hearing aid/glasses with him/her if needed

This will make it easier for the patient to participate. If someone has visual problems then read the questionnaire to them. Do not give horizontal visual analogue scales to those with visual neglect.

Inappropriate actions

Leave the questionnaire at the patient’s bedside, pick it up later, score it up, and announce whether the patient has a mood disturbance or not

Many patients will need help with filling in a questionnaire due to cognitive, communication, and visual difficulties. Discussing it with the patient gives you an opportunity to explore more about why a response is given. Screening questionnaires scores are not diagnostic.

Complete a questionnaire during the ward round with an entourage of professionals and patients in the vicinity

This is not respectful of the patient’s privacy and may make the patient less likely to be honest about how he or she is feeling. If at all possible give the questionnaire in a quiet private environment.

Decide not to ask questions that you feel are not relevant or are inappropriate for your patient

Always ask all questions, even those that seem irrelevant. It can be useful before you start to tell the patient that not all the questions may be relevant to that person but that it’s standard practice to ask everyone each question.