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A 14-year-old client on the eating disorders unit refuses to eat her meals and says to the nurse on the unit, 'You can't make me eat! There is nothing wrong with me.' The nurse will assess this as use of which defense mechanism?
- A. Repression.
- B. Rationalization.
- C. Sublimation.
- D. Denial.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Denial. Denial is a defense mechanism where an individual refuses to acknowledge reality to avoid discomfort. In this scenario, the client is denying the seriousness of their situation by refusing to eat and claiming there is nothing wrong. Repression (A) involves unconsciously blocking out unpleasant thoughts or feelings. Rationalization (B) is creating logical explanations to justify behavior. Sublimation (C) is redirecting negative impulses into positive behaviors. In this case, denial is the most fitting defense mechanism as the client is refusing to accept the reality of their eating disorder.
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What is the most important goal for a nurse when providing care for a patient with bulimia nervosa?
- A. To promote weight loss through strict dietary control.
- B. To help the patient eliminate purging behaviors and develop healthy eating habits.
- C. To encourage excessive exercise to balance caloric intake.
- D. To focus solely on addressing body image issues.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To help the patient eliminate purging behaviors and develop healthy eating habits. This goal is important because it addresses the core issues of bulimia nervosa, which are unhealthy purging behaviors and distorted eating patterns. By helping the patient stop purging and establish healthy eating habits, the nurse can promote long-term recovery and overall well-being.
Choice A is incorrect because promoting weight loss through strict dietary control can exacerbate the patient's unhealthy relationship with food and body image. Choice C is incorrect as encouraging excessive exercise can contribute to a cycle of compulsive behaviors and worsen the patient's physical and mental health. Choice D is incorrect because focusing solely on body image issues neglects the underlying psychological factors contributing to bulimia nervosa.
A new nurse asks, 'My elderly patient has Lewy body disease. What should I do about assessing for pain?' Select the best response from the nurse manager.
- A. Ask the patients family if they think the patient is experiencing pain.'
- B. Use a visual analog scale to help the patient determine the presence and severity of pain.'
- C. There are special scales for assessing patients with dementia. Lets review how to use them.'
- D. The perception of pain is diminished by this type of dementia. Focus your assessment on the patients mental status.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lewy body disease is a form of dementia. There are special scales to assess the presence and severity of pain in patients with dementia. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale evaluates breathing, negative vocalizations, body language, and consolability. A patient with dementia would be unable to use a visual analog scale. The family may be able to help the nurse gain perspective about the pain, but this strategy alone is inadequate. The other distracters are myths.
The management of nausea as a side effect of lithium carbonate (Eskalith) includes instructing the patient to take the medication:
- A. after meals
- B. between meals
- C. with a carbonated beverage
- D. with a large glass of water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Taking lithium after meals reduces gastrointestinal irritation, including nausea, by buffering its absorption.
A client with anorexia nervosa has refused meal trays and supplemental feedings for 3 days following admission to the general hospital. The nurse can anticipate that intervention will include:
- A. IV infusions beginning immediately and continuing for 48 hours after client begins eating.
- B. Tube feedings until the client eats 90% of all meals for 1 day.
- C. Placing the client on suicide precautions and one-to-one observation.
- D. Limiting peer group visitors for 2 weeks.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Tube feedings until the client eats 90% of all meals for 1 day. This intervention is appropriate for a client with anorexia nervosa who is refusing to eat. Tube feedings ensure adequate nutrition while also encouraging the client to resume eating orally. It is a gradual approach that aims to transition the client back to regular eating habits.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
A: IV infusions are not the first-line intervention for a client with anorexia nervosa refusing to eat. This choice does not address the underlying issue of the client's refusal to eat.
C: Placing the client on suicide precautions and one-to-one observation is not indicated solely based on refusal to eat. This choice does not address the nutritional needs of the client.
D: Limiting peer group visitors for 2 weeks does not address the client's refusal to eat and is not a relevant intervention in this situation.
An adult experienced a myocardial infarction six months ago. At a follow-up visit, this adult says, 'I haven't had much interest in sex since my heart attack. I finished my rehabilitation program, but having sex strains my heart. I don't know if my heart is strong enough.' Which nursing diagnosis applies?
- A. Deficient knowledge related to faulty perception of health status
- B. Disturbed self-concept related to required lifestyle changes
- C. Disturbed body image related to treatment side effects
- D. Sexual dysfunction related to self-esteem disturbance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Deficient knowledge related to faulty perception of health status. The patient's statement indicates a lack of understanding about their health status and the impact of their myocardial infarction on their sexual activity. The patient is attributing their decreased interest in sex to a fear of straining their heart, indicating a faulty perception of their health status. This nursing diagnosis addresses the patient's need for education and clarification about their condition to alleviate their concerns and improve their confidence in engaging in sexual activity safely.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the patient's lack of knowledge and faulty perception about their health status. Disturbed self-concept (B) relates more to how the patient perceives themselves due to lifestyle changes, while disturbed body image (C) pertains to physical appearance changes. Sexual dysfunction (D) is related to difficulties in sexual function, which is not the primary issue in this scenario.