A patient reports, 'My brain is tapped. The government has implanted a device in my head.' What outcome would the nurse identify as being appropriate for the patient to achieve within 1 week of admission?
- A. Taking antipsychotic medication as prescribed without objection
- B. Giving coherent data to support beliefs that the brain is 'tapped'
- C. Interpreting reality correctly by stating no 'brain tap' has been implanted
- D. Reporting feeling less anxious about having the government listening to interior thoughts
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it reflects the goal of promoting reality testing and challenging the patient's delusional beliefs. By helping the patient interpret reality correctly and recognize that the implanted device is not real, the nurse can support the patient in overcoming their delusions and improving their mental health.
Choice A is incorrect as simply taking medication does not address the underlying delusional belief. Choice B is incorrect as it validates and reinforces the patient's delusion, which is not therapeutic. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the core issue of the patient's delusional belief and may not lead to long-term improvement in mental health.
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A 19-year-old client is admitted for the second time in 9 months and is acutely psychotic with a diagnosis of undifferentiated schizophrenia. The client sits alone rubbing her arms and smiling. She tells the nurse her thoughts cause earthquakes and that the world is burning. The nurse assesses the primary deficit associated with the client's condition as:
- A. Altered mood states
- B. Disturbed thinking
- C. Social isolation
- D. Poor impulse control
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Disturbed thinking. This is because the client's belief that her thoughts cause earthquakes and the world is burning indicates a break from reality, a hallmark of psychosis in schizophrenia. This demonstrates disorganized and illogical thinking, a key symptom of disturbed thinking. The other choices are incorrect because: A) Altered mood states typically refer to emotional disturbances, which are not the primary deficit in this scenario; C) Social isolation is a consequence of the client's symptoms but not the primary deficit; D) Poor impulse control is not the primary deficit in this case as the client's behavior is more indicative of disorganized thinking.
The affective losses of Alzheimer's disease refer to losses noticed in the individual's:
- A. Personality
- B. Thought processes
- C. Ability to make and carry out plans
- D. Self-care
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The affective losses of Alzheimer's disease refer to changes in emotions and mood, impacting personality traits. This is because the disease affects areas of the brain responsible for regulating emotions. Personality changes are commonly observed in individuals with Alzheimer's. Thought processes (choice B) are more related to cognitive decline, while ability to make and carry out plans (choice C) and self-care (choice D) are more associated with functional decline. Therefore, choice A is correct as it specifically addresses the affective aspect of the disease.
A 10-year-old boy presents with a history of central abdominal pain of a few hours' duration. On examination he has minimal tenderness in the right iliac fossa and no abnormal findings on rectal examination. Which of the following alternatives should be carried out?
- A. Arrange a barium meal follow through.
- B. Arrange to see the patient later on in the day for review.
- C. Send the patient away with instructions to return if the pain becomes worse.
- D. Tell the patient to come back in a week.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early appendicitis can present subtly. Minimal right iliac fossa tenderness warrants observation, so reviewing later (B) is appropriate. Imaging (A), dismissal (C, D), or immediate surgery (E) without further assessment are not justified yet.
Which nursing intervention has highest priority for a patient with bulimia nervosa?
- A. Assist the patient to identify triggers to binge eating.
- B. Provide remedial consequences for weight loss.
- C. Assess for signs of impulsive eating.
- D. Explore needs for health teaching.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assist the patient to identify triggers to binge eating. The highest priority for a patient with bulimia nervosa is addressing the root cause of the behavior, which is often triggered by emotional or situational factors. By identifying triggers, the patient can learn to recognize and manage them effectively, ultimately reducing the frequency of binge eating episodes. This intervention focuses on addressing the underlying issue and promoting long-term recovery.
Summary:
B: Providing remedial consequences for weight loss is not the priority as the main concern is addressing the binge eating behavior.
C: Assessing for signs of impulsive eating is important, but identifying triggers takes precedence in addressing the behavior.
D: Exploring needs for health teaching may be relevant, but addressing triggers to binge eating is more immediate and crucial for managing bulimia nervosa.
Delusional thinking is characteristic of
- A. psychosis
- B. obsessive-compulsive disorder
- C. conversion disorder
- D. fugue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Delusions are a hallmark of psychosis, indicating a break from reality.