Answer Options:
a. Explain, “Yes, I do understand. Everyone goes through the same experiences.”
b. Say, “Please give an example of something you think I wouldn’t understand.”
c. Reassure the patient that nurses interact with people from all cultures.
d. Change the subject to one that is less emotionally disturbing.
Answer: B. Say, “Please give an example of something you think I wouldn’t understand.”
Question: A nurse assesses the four children below. Which assessment findings should prompt the nurse to refer the child for further evaluation?
Answer Options:
a. A 4-year-old who stuttered for 3 weeks after the birth of a sibling.
b. A 9-month-old who does not eat vegetables and likes to be rocked.
c. A 3-month-old who cries after feeding until burped and sucks a thumb.
d. A 3-year-old who is mute, passive toward adults, and twirls while walking.
Answer: d. A 3-year-old who is mute, passive toward adults, and twirls while walking.
Question: A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with functional neurological (conversion) disorder. Which comment best supports this diagnosis?
Answer Options:
a. “Since my father died, I’ve been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left arm, but I think it’s just indigestion.”
b. “I have daily problems with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. My sister had this and I think I’m getting seasick hydrated.”
c. “Sexual intercourse is painful. I pretend as if I’m asleep so I can avoid it. I think it’s starting to cause problems with my marriage.”
d. “I get choked very easily and have trouble swallowing when I eat. I think I might have cancer of the esophagus.”
Answer: A. “Since my father died, I’ve been short of breath and had sharp pains that go down my left arm, but I think it’s just indigestion.”
Question: Which economic factors are most critical to the success of discharge planning for a patient diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Options:
a. Access to housing
b. Individual psychotherapy
c. Income to meet basic needs
d. Availability of health insurance
e. Ongoing interdisciplinary evaluation
Answer: a. Access to housing
c. Income to meet basic needs
d. Availability of health insurance
Question: A patient discloses several concerns and associated feelings. If the nurse wants to seek clarification, which comment would be appropriate?
Answer Options:
a. “What are the common elements here?”
b. “Tell me again about your experiences.”
c. “Am I correct in understanding that…?”
d. “Tell me everything from the beginning.”
Answer: C. “Am I correct in understanding that…?”
Question: Cognitive behavioral therapy was provided for a patient who frequently said, “I’m stupid.” Which statement by the patient indicates the therapy was effective?
Answer Options:
a. “I’m disappointed in my lack of ability.”
b. “I always fail when I try new things.”
c. “Things always go wrong for me.”
d. “Sometimes I do stupid things.”
Answer: d. “Sometimes I do stupid things.”
Question: A patient performs ritualistic hand washing. What should the nurse do to help the patient develop more effective coping strategies?
Answer Options:
a. Allow the patient to set a hand-washing schedule.
b. Encourage the patient to participate in social activities.
c. Encourage the patient to discuss hand-washing routines.
d. Focus on the patient’s symptoms rather than on the patient.
Answer: B. Encourage the patient to participate in social activities.
Question: A single parent is experiencing feelings of inadequacy related to work and family since one teenaged child ran away several weeks ago. The parent seeks the help of a therapist specializing in cognitive therapy. The psychotherapist who uses cognitive therapy will introduce what intervention?
Answer Options:
a. Discussing ego states
b. Focusing on unconscious mental processes
c. Negatively reinforcing an undesirable behavior
d. Helping the patient identify and change faulty thinking
Answer: d. Helping the patient identify and change faulty thinking
Question: On the basis of current knowledge of neurotransmitter effects, a nurse anticipates that the treatment plan for a patient with memory difficulties may include medications designed to do what?
Answer Options:
a. Inhibit GABA production.
b. Increase dopamine sensitivity.
c. Decrease dopamine at receptor sites.
d. Prevent destruction of acetylcholine.
Answer: d. Prevent destruction of acetylcholine.
Question: A man tells the nurse, “All my life, I have felt and acted like a woman while living in a man’s body. For the past year, I have lived and dressed as a woman. I changed jobs to protect my new identity.” Which request is the patient likely to make to the health care provider?
Answer Options:
a. “Can you refer me for psychological testing?”
b. “Will you prescribe hormone therapy?”
c. “Will you alter my medical records?”
d. “What should I tell my parents?”
Answer: b. “Will you prescribe hormone therapy?”
Question: A nurse caring for a patient prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) will develop outcome criteria related to what outcome?
Answer Options:
a. Mood improvement
b. Logical thought processes
c. Reduced levels of motor activity
d. Decreased extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: a. Mood improvement
Question: A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is taking a tricyclic antidepressant. The patient says, “I don’t think I can keep taking these pills. They make me so dizzy, especially when I stand up.” The nurse should implement what intervention?
Answer Options:
a. Explain how to manage postural hypotension and educate the patient that side effects go away after several weeks.
b. Tell the patient that the side effects are a minor inconvenience compared with the feelings of depression.
c. Withhold the drug, force oral fluids, and notify the health care provider to examine the patient.
d. Teach the patient how to use pursed-lip breathing.
Answer: A. Explain how to manage postural hypotension and educate the patient that side effects go away after several weeks.