The community mental health nurse is planning to visit four clients with schizophrenia today. Which client should the nurse see first?
- A. The mother who took her children from school because aliens were after them.
- B. The young man who has a history of substance abuse and no telephone.
- C. The newly diagnosed client who needs to be evaluated for medication compliance.
- D. The young woman who believes she is to blame for her recent miscarriage.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The mother who took her children from school because aliens were after them should be seen first. This choice indicates potential harm to the children due to the mother's delusions, posing an immediate safety concern. The nurse needs to assess the situation and ensure the children's safety. Choices B, C, and D do not present immediate safety risks. B is a history of substance abuse but no current immediate danger. C is newly diagnosed and can wait for evaluation, as can D who may need support but is not in immediate danger. Prioritizing safety is crucial in mental health nursing.
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What is the primary goal of care for a client experiencing esophageal varices secondary to liver cirrhosis?
- A. Preventing infection
- B. Controlling bleeding
- C. Reducing portal hypertension
- D. Maintaining nutritional status
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of care for a client with esophageal varices secondary to liver cirrhosis is to control bleeding. This is because esophageal varices can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. By controlling bleeding, we can prevent severe complications and potentially save the client's life. Preventing infection (Choice A) is important but not the primary goal in this case. Reducing portal hypertension (Choice C) is a long-term goal and may help prevent variceal bleeding in the future, but it is not the immediate priority. Maintaining nutritional status (Choice D) is important for overall health but is not the primary goal when managing acute bleeding from esophageal varices.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing nausea and vomiting. What advice should the nurse give regarding insulin administration?
- A. Skip your insulin dose until you can eat.'
- B. Take your insulin as prescribed, but monitor your blood glucose closely.'
- C. Reduce your insulin dose by half.'
- D. Only take your long-acting insulin.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because skipping insulin can lead to dangerous complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. Taking insulin as prescribed ensures blood glucose control, preventing hyperglycemia. Monitoring blood glucose closely helps adjust doses accordingly. Choice A is incorrect as skipping insulin can be life-threatening. Choice C is incorrect as reducing insulin without proper monitoring can lead to unstable glucose levels. Choice D is incorrect as both long-acting and short-acting insulin are essential for managing type 1 diabetes.
A client with a new diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is prescribed pyridostigmine (Mestinon). Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching?
- A. Take the medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
- B. Take the medication 30 minutes before meals.
- C. Avoid dairy products while taking this medication.
- D. Take the medication at bedtime.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Take the medication 30 minutes before meals. Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat myasthenia gravis by improving muscle strength. Taking it before meals helps optimize its effects when muscle strength is needed the most during eating. Taking it with food (A) may delay absorption. Avoiding dairy products (C) is not necessary with pyridostigmine. Taking the medication at bedtime (D) may not be optimal for addressing muscle weakness during meal times.
A patient with a myocardial infarction (MI) is being treated with intravenous morphine. What is the primary reason for administering morphine to this patient?
- A. To reduce pain.
- B. To decrease anxiety.
- C. To reduce cardiac workload.
- D. To increase respiratory rate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary reason for administering morphine to a patient with MI is to reduce cardiac workload. Morphine acts as a vasodilator and decreases preload and afterload on the heart, reducing myocardial oxygen demand. This helps to improve coronary blood flow and decrease the workload on the heart muscle, which is crucial in the setting of an MI.
Explanation for other choices:
A: While morphine can help reduce pain in MI, the primary reason for administering it is to reduce cardiac workload.
B: Morphine may have a calming effect, but the primary goal is to reduce cardiac workload.
D: Morphine can actually decrease respiratory rate as a side effect, making this choice incorrect.
The patient has a calcium level of 12.1 mg/dL. Which nursing action should the nurse include on the care plan?
- A. Maintain the patient on bed rest.
- B. Auscultate lung sounds every 4 hours.
- C. Monitor for Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
- D. Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL every day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL every day. High calcium levels can lead to dehydration, so encouraging fluid intake helps prevent this complication. Increased fluid intake also promotes calcium excretion through urine. Bed rest (A) is not directly related to managing high calcium levels. Auscultating lung sounds (B) every 4 hours is more relevant for respiratory issues. Monitoring for Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs (C) is associated with low calcium levels, not high levels.