Answer Options:
a. An 8-year-old child watches an R-rated movie with both parents.
b. A young adult jumps from a bridge with a bungee cord with a best friend.
c. An adolescent is kidnapped and held for 2 years in the home of a sexual predator.
d. A passenger is in a bus that overturns on a sharp curve in the road, tumbling down an embankment.
e. An adult is trapped for 3 hours at an angle in an elevator after a portion of the supporting cable breaks.
Answer: C. An adolescent is kidnapped and held for 2 years in the home of a sexual predator.
D. A passenger is in a bus that overturns on a sharp curve in the road, tumbling down an embankment.
E. An adult is trapped for 3 hours at an angle in an elevator after a portion of the supporting cable breaks.
Question: A person who feels unattractive repeatedly says, “Although I’m not beautiful, I am smart.” This is an example of which defense mechanism?
Answer Options:
a. Repression
b. Devaluation
c. Identification
d. Compensation
Answer: D. Compensation
Question: Which comment by a person experiencing severe anxiety indicates the possibility of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Answer Options:
a. “I check where my car keys are eight times.”
b. “My legs often feel weak and spastic.”
c. “I’m embarrassed to go out in public.”
d. “I keep reliving the car accident.”
Answer: A. “I check where my car keys are eight times.”
Question: How does a psychiatric nurse best implement the ethical principle of autonomy?
Answer Options:
a. By intervening when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self.
b. Staying with a patient who is demonstrating a high level of anxiety.
c. Suggesting that two patients who are fighting be restricted to the unit.
d. Exploring alternative options with a patient, regarding medications.
Answer: d. Exploring alternative options with a patient, regarding medications.
Question: To plan effective care for patients diagnosed with somatic system disorders, the nurse should understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because of what characteristic?
Answer Options:
a. They are generally chronic in nature.
b. They have a physiological basis.
c. They can be voluntarily controlled.
d. They provide relief from health anxiety.
Answer: D. They provide relief from health anxiety.
Question: A nurse administers a hypnotic medication that potentiates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Which finding would be expected?
Answer Options:
a. Reduced anxiety
b. Improved memory
c. More organized thinking
d. Fewer sensory perceptual alterations
Answer: a. Reduced anxiety
Question: Instructions concerning what stress management technique should be included in the care plan of a patient diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder?
Answer Options:
a. Mindful awareness
b. Positive self-talk
c. Take a time out
d. Meditation
Answer: D. Meditation
Question: A nurse assessing a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note what patient characteristic?
Answer Options:
a. Readily sees a relationship between symptoms and interpersonal conflicts.
b. Rarely derives personal benefit from the symptoms.
c. Has little difficulty communicating emotional needs.
d. Has unmet needs related to comfort and activity.
Answer: D. Has unmet needs related to comfort and activity.
Question: A person has minor physical injuries after an automobile accident. The person is unable to focus and says, “I feel like something awful is going to happen.” This person has nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, and hyperventilation. What is this person’s level of anxiety?
Answer Options:
a. Mild
b. Moderate
c. Severe
d. Panic
Answer: C. Severe
Question: A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone. The soldier is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which comment by the soldier requires the nurse’s immediate attention?
Answer Options:
a. “It’s good to be home. I missed my family and friends.”
b. “I saw my best friend get killed by a roadside bomb. It should have been me instead.”
c. “Sometimes I think I hear bombs exploding, but it’s just the noise of traffic in my hometown.”
d. “I want to continue my education but I’m not sure how I will fit in with other college students.”
Answer: B. “I saw my best friend get killed by a roadside bomb. It should have been me instead.”
Question: A nurse physically assessing a patient diagnosed with somatic disorder should understand that which intervention is the priority?
Answer Options:
a. Provide a thorough physical examination.
b. Avoid detailed discussion of the reported complaints.
c. Avoid suggesting the appropriateness of any medical testing.
d. Focus on both prescribed and OTC medications the client is taking.
Answer: A. Provide a thorough physical examination.
Question: A patient’s statement that he or she is afraid of becoming acquainted with others clearly shows a lack of ability to trust other people. Having warm and close friendships suggests the developmental task of infancy was successfully completed. Believing one is always right suggests rigidity rather than mistrust. Feelings of shame suggest failure to resolve the crisis of Initiative versus Guilt.
Answer: Incomplete information. The correct answer is not available due to the cut-off text.
Question: A patient checks and rechecks electrical cords related to an obsessive thought that the house may burn down. The nurse and patient explore the likelihood of an actual fire. The patient states that a house fire is not likely. This counseling demonstrates the principles of which cognitive-based therapy?
Answer Options:
a. Flooding
b. Desensitization
c. Controlled relaxation
d. Thought restructuring
Answer: D. Thought restructuring
Question: Cortisol is released in response to a patient’s prolonged stress. Which initial effect would the nurse expect to result from the increased cortisol level?
Answer Options:
a. Diuresis and electrolyte imbalance
b. Focused and alert mental status
c. Drowsiness and lethargy
d. Restlessness and anxiety
Answer: B. Focused and alert mental status
Question: A community psychiatric nurse assesses that a patient diagnosed with a mood disorder is more depressed than on the previous visit a month ago; however, the patient says, “I feel the same.” Which intervention supports the nurse’s assessment while preserving the patient’s autonomy?
Answer Options:
a. Arrange for a short hospitalization.
b. Schedule weekly clinic appointments.
c. Refer the patient to the crisis intervention clinic.
d. Call the family and ask them to observe the patient closely.
Answer: b. Schedule weekly clinic appointments
Question: A patient presents with anxiety, increased heart rate, and fear. The nurse would suspect the presence of a high concentration of which neurotransmitter?
Answer Options:
a. GABA
b. Histamine
c. Acetylcholine
d. Norepinephrine
Answer: d. Norepinephrine
Question: A person who is speaking about a contender for a significant other’s affection says in a gushy, syrupy voice, “What a lovely person. That’s someone I simply adore.” The individual is demonstrating what defense mechanism?
Answer Options:
a. Reaction formation
b. Repression
c. Projection
d. Denial
Answer: A. Reaction formation
Question: A patient with a mass in the left upper lobe of the lung is scheduled for a biopsy. The patient has difficulty understanding the nurse’s comments and asks, “What are they going to do?” Assessment findings on the patient include a tremulous voice, respirations 28 breaths per minute, and pulse rate 110 beats/min. What is the patient’s level of anxiety?
Answer Options:
a. Mild
b. Moderate
c. Severe
d. Panic
Answer: B. Moderate