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A client is prescribed alprazolam (Xanax) for acute anxiety. What client history should cause a nurse to question this order?
- A. History of alcohol dependence
- B. History of personality disorder
- C. History of schizophrenia
- D. History of hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: History of alcohol dependence. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine and can be addictive, especially for individuals with a history of substance abuse like alcohol dependence. This client population is at higher risk for misuse, addiction, and overdose. It is important for the nurse to question this order to avoid potential harm. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly impact the safety or efficacy of alprazolam for acute anxiety.
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A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit for evaluation and medication stabilization. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an example of a broad opening?
- A. What occurred prior to the rape, and when did you go to the emergency department?
- B. What would you like to talk about?
- C. I notice you seem uncomfortable discussing this.
- D. How can we help you feel safe during your stay here?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it allows the client to lead the conversation and express their concerns freely. By asking, "What would you like to talk about?" the nurse demonstrates empathy, respect, and openness to the client's needs, facilitating a client-centered approach. Choice A is specific and may not be what the client wants to discuss. Choice C reflects the nurse's observation rather than encouraging the client to share. Choice D focuses on the nurse's agenda rather than the client's preferences.
Which should the nurse recognize as an example of the defense mechanism of repression?
- A. A woman whose son was killed in Iraq does not believe the military report.
- B. A man who is unhappily married goes to school to become a marriage counselor.
- C. A woman was raped when she was 12 and no longer remembers the incident.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because repression is a defense mechanism in which traumatic memories are unconsciously blocked from awareness. In this scenario, the woman's inability to remember the rape incident at age 12 is a classic example of repression. She has pushed the memory out of consciousness to avoid the emotional distress associated with it.
Choice A is incorrect as it describes denial, where the woman refuses to accept the truth. Choice B is incorrect as it reflects sublimation, where the man channels his unhappiness into a positive pursuit. Choice D is incomplete, making it impossible to evaluate.
A family member is seeking advice about an elderly parent who seems to worry unnecessarily about everything. The family member states, Should I seek psychiatric help for my mother? Which is an appropriate nursing reply?
- A. My mother also worries unnecessarily. I think it is part of the aging process.
- B. Anxiety is considered abnormal when it is out of proportion to the stimulus causing it and when it impairs functioning.
- C. From what you have told me, you should get her to a psychiatrist as soon as possible.
- D. Anxiety is a complex phenomenon and is effectively treated only with psychotropic medications.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it provides a clear and accurate explanation of when anxiety is considered abnormal. It states that anxiety is abnormal when it is out of proportion to the stimulus causing it and when it impairs functioning. This response shows understanding of the situation and suggests seeking professional help based on specific criteria.
Choice A is incorrect as it dismisses the concerns as part of the aging process without addressing the possibility of abnormal anxiety. Choice C is incorrect as it jumps to the conclusion of seeking psychiatric help without evaluating the level of anxiety or impairment. Choice D is incorrect as it oversimplifies anxiety treatment by suggesting it can only be treated with medications, ignoring the importance of therapy and other interventions.
An inpatient client is newly diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) stemming from severe childhood sexual abuse. Which nursing intervention takes priority?
- A. Encourage exploration of sexual abuse
- B. Encourage guided imagery
- C. Establish trust and rapport
- D. Administer antianxiety medications
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Establish trust and rapport. This is the priority because building a therapeutic relationship is essential for effective treatment of DID. Trust and rapport are foundational for the client to feel safe and supported in exploring and processing traumatic experiences. Encouraging exploration of sexual abuse (Option A) may be overwhelming and retraumatizing without a solid therapeutic alliance. Guided imagery (Option B) might not be appropriate at this stage as the client needs to establish trust first. Administering antianxiety medications (Option D) alone does not address the root cause or provide the necessary support for the client's complex trauma history.
A nursing instructor is teaching about the monoamine category of neurotransmitters. Which student statement indicates that learning about the function of norepinephrine has occurred?
- A. Norepinephrine functions to regulate mood, cognition, and perception.
- B. Norepinephrine functions to regulate arousal, libido, and appetite.D. Norepinephrine functions to regulate pain, inflammatory response, and wakefulness.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because norepinephrine is primarily involved in regulating arousal, libido, and appetite. This neurotransmitter is released in response to stress or danger, increasing alertness and readiness for action. Choices A and C are incorrect because they describe the functions of serotonin and dopamine, respectively. Serotonin regulates mood, cognition, and perception, while dopamine is involved in pain modulation, inflammatory response, and wakefulness. Therefore, choice B is the most appropriate in indicating learning about the function of norepinephrine.