A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder has lost 20 pounds in 1 month. The patient has chronic low self-esteem and a plan for suicide. The patient has taken an antidepressant medication for 1 week. Which nursing intervention is most directly related to this priority: 'Patient will refrain from gestures and attempts to harm self'?
- A. Implement suicide prevention interventions.
- B. Frequently offer high-calorie snacks and fluids.
- C. Assist the patient to identify three personal strengths.
- D. Observe patient for therapeutic effects of antidepressant medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Implementing suicide precautions is the only option related to patient safety. The other options, related to nutrition, self-esteem, and medication therapy, are important but are not priorities.
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A patient begins a new program to assist with building social skills. In which part of the plan of care should a nurse record the item 'Encourage patient to attend one psychoeducational group daily'?
- A. Assessment
- B. Analysis
- C. Planning
- D. Implementation
- E. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Interventions (implementation) are the nursing prescriptions to achieve the outcomes. None of the other options focus on this aspect of nursing care.
Nursing behaviors associated with the implementation phase of the nursing process are concerned with the responsibilities of the psychiatric mental health nurse?
- A. Participating in the mutual identification of patient outcomes
- B. Gathering accurate and sufficient patient-centered data
- C. Comparing patient responses and expected outcomes
- D. Carrying out interventions and coordinating care
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nursing behaviors relating to implementation include using available resources, performing interventions, finding alternatives when necessary, and coordinating care with other team members.
Select the best outcome for a patient with this nursing diagnosis: impaired social interaction, related to sociocultural dissonance as evidenced by stating, 'Although I'd like to, I don't join in because I don't speak the language very well.' What should the focus of an appropriate outcome be?
- A. Demonstrating improved social skills
- B. Expressing a desire to interact with others
- C. Becoming more independent in decision making
- D. Selecting and participating in one group activity per day
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The outcome describes social involvement on the part of the patient. Neither cooperation nor independence has been an issue. The patient has already expressed a desire to interact with others. Outcomes must be measurable.
Which statement made by a patient during an initial assessment interview should serve as the priority focus for the plan of care?
- A. I can always trust my family.
- B. It seems like I always have bad luck.
- C. You never know who will turn against you.
- D. I hear evil voices that tell me to do bad things.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The statement regarding evil voices tells the nurse that the patient is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The other statements are vague and do not clearly identify the patient's chief symptom.
A patient's nursing diagnosis is Insomnia. The desired outcome is: 'Patient will sleep for a minimum of 5 hours nightly by October 31.' On November 1, a review of the sleep data shows the patient sleeps an average of 4 hours nightly and takes a 2-hour afternoon nap. What is the nurse's next action?
- A. Continue the current plan without changes.
- B. Remove this nursing diagnosis from the plan of care.
- C. Write a new nursing diagnosis that better reflects the problem.
- D. Revise the outcome target date and interventions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sleeping a total of 5 hours at night remains a reasonable outcome. The plan of care may be revised on the basis of the evaluation. Extending the time frame for attaining the outcome is appropriate. Examining interventions might result in planning an activity during the afternoon rather than permitting a nap.
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