A nurse is caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Assist the patient in identifying triggers for binge-purge cycles.
- B. Focus solely on achieving a normal weight.
- C. Provide daily exercise routines to increase physical fitness.
- D. Discourage discussions about food to avoid increasing anxiety.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Assisting the patient in identifying triggers for binge-purge cycles is crucial in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. By understanding the triggers, the patient can learn to recognize and manage them effectively, leading to a reduction in the frequency of binge-purge episodes. This intervention helps address the root cause of the disorder and promotes long-term recovery.
Choice B is incorrect because solely focusing on achieving a normal weight overlooks the complex psychological factors involved in bulimia nervosa. Choice C is incorrect as providing daily exercise routines may exacerbate the patient's obsession with weight and body image. Choice D is incorrect as discouraging discussions about food can hinder the patient's ability to address their relationship with food and emotions.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient is being discharged after spending six days in the hospital due to depression with suicidal ideation. The psychiatric-mental health nurse knows that an important outcome has been met when the patient states,:
- A. I can't wait to get home and forget that this ever happened'
- B. I feel so much better. If I continue to feel this way, I can probably stop taking my medications soon'
- C. I have a list of support groups and a crisis line that I can call, if I feel suicidal'
- D. I have to leave here soon, if I want to catch the next bus home'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Having resources like support groups and a crisis line indicates readiness for self-management post-discharge.
A patient with schizophrenia has received typical (first-generation) antipsychotics for a year. His hallucinations are less intrusive, but he remains apathetic, has poverty of thought, cannot work, and is socially isolated. To address these symptoms, the nurse might consult the prescribing health care provider to suggest a change to:
- A. haloperidol (Haldol).
- B. olanzapine (Zyprexa).
- C. diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
- D. chlorpromazine (Thorazine).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: olanzapine (Zyprexa). Olanzapine is an atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic that is known to be effective in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy, poverty of thought, and social withdrawal. These symptoms are often resistant to typical antipsychotics like haloperidol (A) and chlorpromazine (D), which are more effective for positive symptoms like hallucinations. Diphenhydramine (C) is an antihistamine and not used to treat schizophrenia symptoms. In summary, olanzapine is the best choice to address the specific symptoms described in the scenario.
An individual is brought by ambulance to the emergency room. The patient's roommate reports that the patient was weak and confused on awakening and began "rambling and talking crazy"Â about 3 hours ago. A nurse notes that the patient's skin is flushed and dry. When transferred to a bed, the patient strikes out at the staff and shouts, "You're not going to kill me!"Â The most likely analysis of this behavior is:
- A. disturbed self-esteem related to catastrophic reaction.
- B. disturbed sensory perception related to altered brain function.
- C. other-directed violence related to fear associated with hospitalization.
- D. impaired environmental interpretational syndrome related to metabolic disturbance.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: disturbed sensory perception related to altered brain function. The patient's presenting symptoms of confusion, rambling speech, physical aggression, and paranoia suggest an altered mental state. The flushed and dry skin may indicate dehydration, which can affect brain function. The behavior is likely a result of the patient's distorted sensory perceptions due to an underlying physiological or neurological issue.
Incorrect choices:
A: disturbed self-esteem related to catastrophic reaction - This choice does not address the patient's specific symptoms and is not supported by the scenario.
C: other-directed violence related to fear associated with hospitalization - While fear of hospitalization may contribute to violence, it does not explain the patient's overall presentation of altered mental status.
D: impaired environmental interpretational syndrome related to metabolic disturbance - This choice does not directly address the patient's symptoms and does not explain the confusion and paranoia displayed.
A patient living independently had command hallucinations to shout warnings to neighbors. After a short hospitalization, the patient was prohibited from returning to the apartment. The landlord said, 'You cause too much trouble.' What problem is the patient experiencing?
- A. Grief
- B. Stigma
- C. Homelessness
- D. Nonadherence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The inability to obtain shelter because of negative attitudes about mental illness is an example of stigma. Stigma is defined as damage to reputation, shame, and ridicule society places on mental illness. Data are not present to identify grief as a patient problem. Data do not suggest that the patient is actually homeless.
A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa who is refusing to eat. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Provide a structured meal plan and encourage the patient to eat.
- B. Avoid discussing food intake to reduce anxiety.
- C. Allow the patient to skip meals to avoid pressure.
- D. Offer incentives for eating a full meal.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Provide a structured meal plan and encourage the patient to eat. This is the first step because patients with anorexia nervosa often struggle with disordered eating behaviors and need guidance and support to establish healthy eating habits. Providing a structured meal plan helps the patient understand the importance of regular and balanced meals. Encouraging the patient to eat helps address their resistance and fear around food.
Incorrect choices:
B: Avoid discussing food intake to reduce anxiety - This choice is incorrect because avoiding discussing food intake does not address the underlying issue and may perpetuate the patient's disordered eating behavior.
C: Allow the patient to skip meals to avoid pressure - Allowing the patient to skip meals enables their unhealthy behavior and does not promote recovery.
D: Offer incentives for eating a full meal - While incentives may be used as a motivational tool, they do not address the core issue of establishing a healthy relationship with food.