Population Based Care Related

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A nurse observes a patient who is sitting alone in a room put hands over both ears and vigorously shake her head as though saying, 'No.' Later the patient cries and mutters, 'You don't know what you're talking about! Leave me alone.' What assessment should the nurse attempt to validate?

  • A. The patient is seeking the attention of staff.
  • B. The patient is inappropriately expressing emotion.
  • C. The patient is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
  • D. The patient is displaying negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient's behavior indicates a possible experience of auditory hallucinations. The patient covering both ears and shaking her head could be an attempt to block out voices or sounds she is hearing. The subsequent crying and muttering could be a response to these hallucinations.

Choice A is incorrect because the patient's behavior does not necessarily indicate a desire for attention. Choice B is incorrect because the patient's emotional expression is not the primary focus of the behavior. Choice D is incorrect because negative symptoms of schizophrenia typically involve a decrease in emotional expression or motivation, which is not evident in this scenario.