A client who is in halo traction states to the visiting nurse, 'I can't get used to this contraption. I can't see properly on the side, and I keep misjudging where everything is.' Which therapeutic response should the nurse make to the client?
- A. If I were you, I would have had the surgery rather than suffer like this.
- B. No one ever gets used to that thing! It's horrible. Many of our sports people who are in it complain vigorously.
- C. Halo traction involves many difficult adjustments. Practice scanning with your eyes after standing up and before you move around.
- D. Why do you feel like this when you could have died from a broken neck? This is the way it is for several months. You need to be more accepting, don't you think?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In option 3, the nurse employs empathy and reflection. The nurse then offers a strategy for problem-solving, which helps increase the peripheral vision of the client in halo traction. In option 1, the nurse undermines the client's faith in the medical treatment being employed by giving advice that is insensitive and unprofessional. In option 2, the nurse provides a social response that contains emotionally charged language that could increase the client's anxiety. In option 4, the nurse uses excessive questioning and gives advice, which is nontherapeutic.
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A client has been prescribed imipramine. The nurse notifies the primary health care provider if which adverse effect to the medication is noted?
- A. Increased appetite
- B. Increased drowsiness
- C. Reported decrease in anxiety
- D. Increased sense of well-being
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat various forms of depression and anxiety. The client is also often in psychotherapy while prescribed this medication. Adverse effects to report to the primary health care provider include drowsiness, lethargy, and fatigue. Expected effects of the medication include an increased appetite and time spent sleeping, a reduced sense of anxiety, and an improved sense of well-being.
A client has just given birth to a newborn who has a cleft lip and palate. When planning to talk with the client, the nurse recognizes that the client needs to first work through which emotion before maternal bonding can occur?
- A. Guilt
- B. Grief
- C. Anger
- D. Depression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that a mother will go through the grief process after giving birth to a child with a birth defect. After the grief process, the mother can begin to focus on bonding with the infant. The remaining options are incorrect because they are each only one component of the grief process.
A pregnant client is newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The client cries when receiving this information and keeps repeating, 'What have I done to cause this? If only I could live my life over.' Considering this statement, which concern should the nurse identify for the client?
- A. Injury to the fetus because of maternal distress
- B. Low self-esteem because of pregnancy complications
- C. Lack of understanding about diabetic self-care during pregnancy
- D. Poorly perceived body image caused by complications of pregnancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client is putting the blame for the diabetes on herself, thus lowering her self-esteem. She is expressing fear and grief. There are no data in the question to support the problems in options 1 and 4. Client lack of understanding is important to consider, but not at this time because the client will not be able to comprehend information in her current state.
When planning the care of the client diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), the nurse incorporates information on which support service to best help the client cope with the lifestyle changes that are needed to control the disease process?
- A. Consult with a dietician
- B. Pain management clinic
- C. Smoking cessation program
- D. Referral to a medical social worker
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Smoking is highly detrimental to the client with Buerger's disease, and clients are recommended to stop completely. Because smoking is a form of chemical dependency, referral to a smoking cessation program may be helpful for many clients. For many clients, symptoms are relieved or alleviated when smoking stops. None of the remaining options are directly related to the physiology associated with this condition.
A client reports having difficulty concentrating and outbursts of anger, as well as feeling 'keyed up' all the time. The client reveals that the behaviors began soon after witnessing the murder of a good friend. The nurse should suspect which stressor before communicating with the client?
- A. Social phobia
- B. Panic disorder
- C. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PTSD is a response to an event that would be markedly distressing to almost anyone. Characteristic symptoms include a sustained level of anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and outbursts of anger. Panic disorders and social phobia are characterized by a specific fear of an object or situation. OCD involves some repetitive thoughts or behaviors.
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