Nokea
A nurse is conducting a group therapy session for several clients. The group is laughing at a joke one of the clients told, when a client who is schizophrenic jumps up and runs out of the room yelling, "You are all making fun of me!" The nurse should identify this behavior as which of the following characteristics of schizophrenia?
- A. Magical thinking
- B. Delusions of grandeur
- C. Ideas of reference
- D. Looseness of association
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ideas of reference. This behavior is indicative of ideas of reference, a common symptom of schizophrenia where individuals believe that neutral events or comments are directed at them personally. In this case, the client's perception of laughter at a joke led them to believe it was directed towards them, triggering a paranoid reaction. This is different from magical thinking (A) which involves belief in unrealistic events, delusions of grandeur (B) which involves exaggerated beliefs in one's importance, and looseness of association (D) which is characterized by disconnected thoughts. The other choices are not relevant to the scenario provided.
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A nurse in an acute care facility is admitting an older adult client who has dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The nurse notes that the client's partner appears exhausted. He states that he is finding it more and more difficult to care for his wife. Which of the following interventions is the nurse’s priority?
- A. Recommend that the partner place the client in a long-term care facility.
- B. Suggest that the partner see a counselor to help him cope with his exhaustion.
- C. Ask the partner to talk about his difficulties in caring for the client.
- D. Tell the partner to call a family meeting to get help.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is C - Ask the partner to talk about his difficulties in caring for the client. This is the priority intervention as it allows the nurse to assess the partner's needs, provide emotional support, and gather information to develop a plan for support. By actively listening to the partner's concerns, the nurse can address immediate issues and provide resources for assistance. Other options (A) recommending long-term care, (B) suggesting counseling, and (D) calling a family meeting are important but not the priority as they do not directly address the partner's immediate emotional and practical needs. It is essential to prioritize addressing the partner's exhaustion and emotional well-being to ensure holistic care for both the client with dementia and their caregiver.
A nurse is sitting in the day room at an acute care mental health facility with a group of clients who are watching television. Suddenly, one of the clients jumps up screaming and runs out of the room. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Ask the group what they think about the client’s behavior.
- B. Follow the client to determine the cause of the behavior.
- C. Ignore the incident because it is an attention-seeking behavior.
- D. Stay with the group and ask another client to check on the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Follow the client to determine the cause of the behavior. This is the best course of action as the nurse should prioritize the safety and well-being of the client who exhibited distress. By following the client, the nurse can assess the situation, provide immediate assistance if needed, and ensure the client's safety. This proactive approach allows the nurse to address any potential risks or triggers that may have caused the client to react in such a manner.
Choice A is incorrect because seeking the group's opinion may waste time and delay necessary intervention. Choice C is incorrect as ignoring the incident could lead to a potentially dangerous situation being overlooked. Choice D is also incorrect as asking another client to check on the situation may not ensure the client's safety and well-being. The best approach is for the nurse to directly assess the client's needs and respond accordingly.
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who has traumatic injuries following an assault. The client sits quietly and calmly in the examination room and states, "I'm fine." The nurse should recognize the client's behavior as which of the following reactions?
- A. Denial
- B. Displacement
- C. Projection
- D. Undoing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Denial. The client's calm demeanor and statement of "I'm fine" despite having traumatic injuries indicate a defense mechanism of denial, where the client is refusing to acknowledge the severity of their situation. Denial helps the individual cope with overwhelming emotions or stress by avoiding the reality of the situation. Displacement involves redirecting emotions to a less threatening target, projection involves attributing one's thoughts or feelings to others, and undoing involves engaging in behaviors to counteract negative thoughts or actions. In this scenario, denial is the most appropriate reaction based on the client's behavior.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of conversion disorder. Which of the following is an expected finding?
- A. Frequent manic episodes.
- B. Refusal of medication due to paranoia.
- C. Preoccupation with manifestations of various illnesses.
- D. Involuntary loss of a sensory function.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Involuntary loss of a sensory function. In conversion disorder, physical symptoms are present without a known medical cause. This can manifest as sensory deficits such as blindness or paralysis. This finding is expected as it is a hallmark of conversion disorder. Manic episodes (A) are more indicative of bipolar disorder, medication refusal due to paranoia (B) may be seen in conditions like schizophrenia, and preoccupation with various illnesses (C) is characteristic of somatic symptom disorder. Therefore, the correct choice is D as it aligns with the presentation of conversion disorder.
A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who is receiving treatment following a situational crisis. Which of the following assessments by the nurse is the highest priority?
- A. Determining if the client has psychotic thinking
- B. Asking the client to identify the cause of the crisis
- C. Identifying the client's coping skills
- D. Identifying the client's support systems
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Determining if the client has psychotic thinking. This is the highest priority because it directly addresses the client's immediate safety and well-being. Psychotic thinking can pose a significant risk to the client and others, requiring prompt intervention. Asking the client to identify the cause of the crisis (B), identifying coping skills (C), and support systems (D) are important but secondary to ensuring the client's safety. It is crucial to address any potential psychotic thinking first before delving into other aspects of the assessment.