A patient reports, 'My brain is tapped by government agents who can trace my whereabouts and listen to my thoughts.' An appropriate nursing response to this information would be:
- A. Your story is very strange and too bizarre for me to believe.'
- B. Tell me why you think your brain is being tapped.'
- C. What was happening in your life just before you began to think your brain was tapped?'
- D. Are you feeling frightened or angry about the government violating your body?'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is C because it focuses on exploring the underlying reasons for the patient's belief, which can help uncover any triggers or stressors leading to the delusion. This approach shows empathy, builds rapport, and encourages the patient to share more about their experiences. Choice A is dismissive and may cause the patient to feel invalidated. Choice B only focuses on the belief itself without delving deeper into the context. Choice D jumps to assumptions about the patient's emotions without addressing the core issue of the delusion. Overall, choice C promotes therapeutic communication and understanding of the patient's perspective.
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A patient has disorganized thinking associated with schizophrenia. Neuroimaging would most likely show dysfunction in which part of the brain?
- A. Hippocampus
- B. Frontal lobe
- C. Cerebellum
- D. Brainstem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Frontal lobe. Disorganized thinking in schizophrenia is often associated with executive function deficits, which are primarily controlled by the frontal lobe. This area is responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and reasoning. Dysfunction here can lead to disorganized thoughts and behaviors. The other choices, such as the hippocampus (A), involved in memory, the cerebellum (C), involved in motor coordination, and the brainstem (D), involved in basic life functions, are less likely to be directly related to disorganized thinking in schizophrenia.
Joey is a 5-year-old who is causing his parents a lot of concern. His mother reports that he bounces off the walls all the time and cant focus on any one thing for very long. He is impulsive and has recently ran right out into the street in front of the familys home. His teacher has told his parents that he has done similar things at school. The nurse understands that:
- A. Joey shows all the signs of having ADHD and should probably be placed on Ritalin as soon as possible
- B. Joey is just an active, healthy child who needs to be disciplined more effectively
- C. Joey could be autistic, and additional testing will have to be done to confirm the diagnosis
- D. Joey shows signs of having ADHD, but is too young for that diagnosis to be made definitively now
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Definitive diagnosis of ADHD should not be made before age 7 because developmentally the child has a shorter attention span.
A salesman has had difficulty holding a job because he accuses co-workers of conspiring to take his sales. Today, he argued with several office mates and threatened to kill one of them. The police were called, and he was brought to the mental health center for evaluation. He has had previous admissions to the unit for stabilization of paranoid schizophrenia. When the nurse meets him, he points at staff in the nursing station and states loudly, 'They're all plotting to destroy me. Isn't that true?' Which would be the most appropriate response?
- A. No, that is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them.'
- B. Let's think about it: what reason would people have to want to destroy you?'
- C. Thinking that people want to destroy you must be very frightening.'
- D. That doesn't make sense; staff are health care workers, not murderers.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thinking that people want to destroy you must be very frightening.
Rationale:
1. Acknowledges the patient's feelings: By stating that thinking people want to destroy him is frightening, the nurse shows empathy and validates his experience.
2. Validates the patient's emotions: This response does not directly agree or disagree but acknowledges the emotions behind the patient's statement.
3. Builds rapport: By showing understanding and empathy, the nurse can establish trust and rapport with the patient, leading to better communication and therapeutic relationship.
Summary of other options:
A: This response denies the patient's feelings and could potentially escalate the situation by invalidating his experiences.
B: This response may come off as confrontational and does not address the patient's underlying fears.
D: This response is dismissive and does not address the patient's emotional distress, potentially leading to further agitation.
A nurse and social worker co-lead a reminiscence group for eight old-old and centenarian adults. Which activity is appropriate to include in the group?
- A. Mild aerobic exercise
- B. Singing a song from World War II
- C. Discussing national leadership during the Vietnam War
- D. Identifying the most troubling story in today's newspaper
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Singing a song from World War II. This activity is appropriate because reminiscence therapy involves recalling past memories to enhance well-being in older adults. Singing a song from that era can help trigger positive emotions and memories for the participants.
A: Mild aerobic exercise may not be suitable for all participants due to physical limitations.
C: Discussing national leadership during the Vietnam War might evoke negative emotions or political disagreements.
D: Identifying the most troubling story in today's newspaper could lead to distress and is not conducive to the therapeutic nature of reminiscence therapy.
Of the following interventions, which one would likely be most useful when attempting to prevent or lessen the symptoms associated with sundown syndrome?
- A. Keeping the patient's room quiet and dimly lit at night
- B. Interacting frequently with the patient during evening hours
- C. Providing the patient with a large protein-based bedtime snack
- D. Giving the patient a soft stuffed animal to provide a source of security
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because interacting frequently with the patient during evening hours can help provide comfort and reassurance, reducing anxiety and agitation associated with sundown syndrome. Interacting can stimulate the patient's senses and distract from negative symptoms.
Choice A is incorrect because a quiet and dimly lit room alone may not address the underlying emotional and psychological needs of the patient during sundown syndrome.
Choice C is incorrect because a large protein-based bedtime snack may not directly impact the behavioral symptoms of sundown syndrome.
Choice D is incorrect because while a soft stuffed animal can provide some comfort, it may not address the need for human interaction and engagement during the evening hours to prevent or lessen sundown syndrome symptoms.