A nurse observes a client sitting alone and talking. When asked, the client reports that he is 'talking to the voices.' The nurse's next action should be:
- A. touching the client to help him return to reality.
- B. leaving the client alone until reality returns.
- C. asking the client to describe what is happening.
- D. telling the client there are no voices.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses might observe behavioral cues that can indicate the presence of hallucinations. Talking about the hallucinations is reassuring and validating to the client who has them. Focusing on the symptoms and asking about the hallucinations helps the client gain control.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is returning phone calls in a pediatric clinic. Which of the following reports most requires the nurse's immediate attention and phone call?
- A. A 8 year-old boy has been vomiting and appears to have slower movements and has a history of an atrioventricular shunt placement.
- B. A 10 year-old girl feels a dull pain in her abdomen after doing sit-ups in gym class.
- C. A 7 year-old boy has been having a low fever and headache for the past 3 days that has history of an anterior knee wound.
- D. A 7 year-old girl that had a cast on her right ankle is complaining of itching.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The shunt may be blocked and require immediate medical attention.
A client recently lost a child due to poisoning. The client tells the nurse, 'I don't want to make any new friends right now.' This is an example of which of the following indicators of stress?
- A. emotional behavioral indicator
- B. spiritual indicator
- C. sociocultural indicator
- D. intellectual indicator
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client's withdrawal from forming new relationships reflects a sociocultural indicator of stress, as it affects social interactions. Emotional behavioral indicators involve mood changes, spiritual indicators relate to existential concerns, and intellectual indicators involve cognitive difficulties.
If a client is suffering from thyroid storm, the PN can expect to find on assessment:
- A. tachycardia and hyperthermia.
- B. bradycardia and hypothermia.
- C. a large goiter.
- D. a calm, quiet client.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In thyroid storm, excessive thyroxine causes increased metabolic rate, leading to tachycardia, hyperthermia, and other signs of hyperthyroidism such as atrial fibrillation.
A client is taking hydrocodone (Vicodin) for chronic back pain. The client has required an increase in the dose and asks whether this means he is addicted to Vicodin. The nurse should base her reply on the knowledge that:
- A. the client's body has developed tolerance, requiring more drug to produce the same effect.
- B. the client is preoccupied with getting the drug and is experiencing loss of control, indicating drug dependence.
- C. addiction is the term used to describe physical dependence with withdrawal symptoms and tolerance.
- D. the client has a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and chronic back pain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drug tolerance is characterized by the ability to ingest a larger dose without adverse effect and decreased sensitivity to the substance. Substance dependence is a severe condition indicating physical problems and disruption of the person's social, family, and work life. The psychological behaviors related to substance use are termed addiction. Dual diagnosis is the coexistence of substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.
A 28 year-old male has a diagnosis of AIDS. The patient has had a two year history of AIDS. The most likely cognitive deficits include which of the following?
- A. Disorientation
- B. Sensory changes
- C. Inability to produce sound
- D. Hearing deficits
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cognitive changes may include confusion and disorientation.