A nurse is caring for a school-aged child who has conduct disorder and is being physically aggressive toward other children in the unit. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Place the child in seclusion
- B. Use therapeutic hold technique
- C. Apply wrist restraints
- D. Administer risperidone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Place the child in seclusion. The first step in managing physically aggressive behavior in a child with conduct disorder is to ensure the safety of the child and others. Placing the child in seclusion helps prevent harm to others while allowing the child to calm down in a controlled environment. Using therapeutic hold technique (B) or applying wrist restraints (C) may escalate the situation and increase the risk of harm. Administering risperidone (D) is a medication intervention that should be considered only after addressing the immediate safety concerns.
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A nurse is assisting with obtaining informed consent from a client who has been declared legally incompetent. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Contact the facility social worker to obtain the consent
- B. Explain implied consent to the client’s family
- C. Request that the client’s guardian sign the consent
- D. Ask the charge nurse to obtain informed consent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Request that the client’s guardian sign the consent. This is appropriate because a legally incompetent individual requires a guardian to make decisions on their behalf. This ensures that the client's best interests are protected and that decisions are made by someone legally authorized to do so. Choice A is incorrect because social workers are not authorized to provide consent for legally incompetent individuals. Choice B is incorrect as implied consent is not applicable in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as the charge nurse does not have the legal authority to obtain informed consent for a legally incompetent client.
A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is assessing a client who has schizophrenia and is taking haloperidol. Which of the following clinical findings is the nurse’s priority?
- A. High fever
- B. Insomnia
- C. Urinary hesitancy
- D. Headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: High fever. The priority finding is high fever because it could indicate a potentially serious adverse reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with haloperidol use. NMS is a life-threatening condition characterized by fever, altered mental status, muscle rigidity, and autonomic dysfunction. Prompt recognition and treatment of NMS are crucial to prevent complications. Insomnia (B), urinary hesitancy (C), and headache (D) are common side effects of haloperidol but are not as urgent as high fever, which could signify a medical emergency.
A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing a manic episode. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Place the client in a group therapy session
- B. Rotate staff members who work with the client
- C. Encourage the client to participate in physical activities
- D. Distract the client with increased environmental stimuli
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Encourage the client to participate in physical activities. Physical activities can help to channel the excess energy and agitation associated with manic episodes in bipolar disorder. Exercise can help reduce stress, improve mood, and promote better sleep patterns. Group therapy (A) may not be appropriate during a manic episode as the client may have difficulty focusing and could disrupt the session. Rotating staff members (B) could lead to inconsistency in care and may worsen the client's symptoms. Distracting the client with increased environmental stimuli (D) could exacerbate agitation and overstimulation. It is important to provide a structured and safe outlet for the client's energy, hence physical activities are the most appropriate intervention in this scenario.
A nurse is caring for a client who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Encourage the client to discuss past trauma
- B. Provide a structured routine
- C. Discourage emotional expression
- D. Limit social interactions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide a structured routine. Individuals with PTSD often benefit from a predictable routine as it provides a sense of safety and control. This intervention helps regulate emotions and reduces anxiety by creating a stable environment. Encouraging the client to discuss past trauma (A) may worsen symptoms if the client is not ready. Discouraging emotional expression (C) can be harmful as it may lead to emotional suppression. Limiting social interactions (D) may increase feelings of isolation and exacerbate symptoms. It's important to prioritize stability and structure in the plan of care for clients with PTSD.
A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has major depressive disorder. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
- A. Discourage the client from expressing feelings of anger
- B. Identify and schedule alternative group activities for the client
- C. Encourage physical activity for the client during the day
- D. Keep a bright light on in the clients room at night
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Encourage physical activity for the client during the day. Physical activity has been shown to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression by increasing endorphins. This intervention can help the client combat feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
A: Discouraging the client from expressing feelings of anger is not therapeutic and may further suppress emotions, worsening depression.
B: Identifying and scheduling alternative group activities can be helpful, but it may not directly address the physical aspect of depression.
D: Keeping a bright light on in the client's room at night may disrupt sleep patterns and is not a targeted intervention for major depressive disorder.