A nurse is caring for a patient who is confused, disoriented in all three spheres, and experiencing visual hallucinations. While preparing to provide personal care, the nurse should:
- A. ask the patient, "Do you remember who I am?"Â
- B. speak minimally so as not to disturb the patient.
- C. pat the patient on the forearm and say, "Let's get started."Â
- D. explain to the patient what will happen during the care.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because explaining to the patient what will happen during care is essential to provide a sense of orientation and reduce anxiety in a confused patient. This approach helps the patient understand the situation and feel more in control, which can decrease agitation. Choice A is incorrect as the patient's memory deficit may lead to further confusion. Choice B is incorrect as minimal communication may not address the patient's needs. Choice C is incorrect as physical touch without explanation may escalate the patient's hallucinations.
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The client in whom schizophrenia has been diagnosed usually is medicated with an ____ drug.
- A. Antianxiety
- B. Antipsychotic
- C. Antidepressant
- D. Antihypertensive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Antipsychotic. Antipsychotic drugs are specifically designed to treat symptoms associated with schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. These drugs help regulate dopamine levels in the brain, which are often imbalanced in individuals with schizophrenia. Antianxiety drugs (A) are not typically used to treat schizophrenia as they target different symptoms. Antidepressants (C) may be used in conjunction with antipsychotics, but they are not the primary treatment for schizophrenia. Antihypertensive drugs (D) are used to treat high blood pressure and are not indicated for schizophrenia.
A widow, aged 72 years, lives alone and is visited weekly by her son. She takes digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, and an antihypertensive drug. She also has a prescription for diazepam (Valium) as needed for moderate to severe anxiety. When the son visited today, he found his mother confused and disoriented, with an unsteady gait. The nurse assessed the patient as having several cognitive problems, including memory and attention deficits and fluctuating levels of orientation. The nurse confirms that the patient's symptoms developed:
- A. Over the past few days.
- B. Over the past few weeks.
- C. Over the past few months.
- D. None of the above.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Over the past few days. The sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, and cognitive deficits in the elderly patient suggests an acute change in her condition. This acute change is more indicative of a recent event or medication-related issue rather than a gradual decline over weeks or months. The sudden onset could be due to factors such as medication interactions, overdose, or underlying medical conditions. It is crucial to investigate recent changes in medications, lab results, or any other potential triggers that might have led to this acute cognitive decline. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they imply a gradual decline over weeks, months, or no specific timeframe, which does not align with the sudden onset observed in the patient.
A patient tells the nurse, 'I can't go to any unit meetings because when I get in that room, everyone can hear my thoughts.' The nurse can correctly assess this symptom as:
- A. concrete thinking.
- B. loose associations.
- C. thought broadcasting.
- D. auditory hallucinations.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: thought broadcasting. This is when a person believes that others can hear their thoughts. In this scenario, the patient's belief that everyone in the unit meetings can hear their thoughts aligns with the symptom of thought broadcasting. It is a common manifestation of certain psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Choice A, concrete thinking, refers to literal thinking without abstract reasoning and is not applicable in this context. Choice B, loose associations, involves disorganized and illogical thought patterns, which are not evident in the patient's statement. Choice D, auditory hallucinations, refers to hearing voices when no external stimulus is present, which is different from the patient's belief that others can hear their thoughts.
A 32-year-old client with an admitting diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia has been mute and motionless for 2 days. The priority nursing diagnosis is:
- A. Risk for deficient fluid volume
- B. Impaired physical mobility
- C. Impaired social interaction
- D. Ineffective coping
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Risk for deficient fluid volume. The priority nursing diagnosis in this case is to address the client's physical needs to ensure their safety and well-being. The client's mutism and immobility put them at risk for dehydration and malnutrition. By prioritizing the risk for deficient fluid volume, the nurse can address the immediate physiological needs of the client.
Choice B: Impaired physical mobility is incorrect because while the client is motionless, the immediate concern is addressing the risk of dehydration.
Choice C: Impaired social interaction is incorrect as addressing social interaction is not the priority when the client's physical needs are not being met.
Choice D: Ineffective coping is incorrect because the client's presentation is indicative of a more urgent physical need for hydration and nutrition.
Which of the following is the main neurological birth syndrome caused by anoxia?
- A. Down Syndrome
- B. Fragile X syndrome
- C. Cerebral palsy
- D. Cerebral Vascular accident
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cerebral Palsy: The main neurological birth syndrome caused by anoxia, characterized by motor symptoms affecting strength and coordination.