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A patient with schizophrenia has received typical (first-generation) antipsychotics for a year. His hallucinations are less intrusive, but he remains apathetic, has poverty of thought, cannot work, and is socially isolated. To address these symptoms, the nurse might consult the prescribing health care provider to suggest a change to:
- A. haloperidol (Haldol).
- B. olanzapine (Zyprexa).
- C. diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
- D. chlorpromazine (Thorazine).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: olanzapine (Zyprexa). Olanzapine is an atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic that is known to be effective in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy, poverty of thought, and social withdrawal. These symptoms are often resistant to typical antipsychotics like haloperidol (A) and chlorpromazine (D), which are more effective for positive symptoms like hallucinations. Diphenhydramine (C) is an antihistamine and not used to treat schizophrenia symptoms. In summary, olanzapine is the best choice to address the specific symptoms described in the scenario.
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A 28-year-old female client was admitted 3 days ago after she ran nude through the streets, shouting that she was the 'Queen of Hearts.' The client has remained delusional since admission. An initial expected outcome would be that the client will:
- A. Allow the nurse to logically dispute the delusion
- B. Distinguish external boundaries
- C. Engage in reality-oriented conversation
- D. Explain why she thinks she is the 'Queen of Hearts'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Engage in reality-oriented conversation. This is the most appropriate initial expected outcome because it focuses on helping the client ground herself in reality. Engaging in reality-oriented conversation can help the client understand and acknowledge her delusions, leading to potential insight and eventual treatment.
A: Allowing the nurse to logically dispute the delusion may not be effective initially as the client may not be receptive to this approach during the acute phase of her delusion.
B: Distinguishing external boundaries may not address the underlying delusional beliefs and may not be the most immediate concern.
D: Explaining why she thinks she is the 'Queen of Hearts' may reinforce the delusion rather than challenging it.
A student transfers from a hometown college to a university 200 miles away after breaking up with her boyfriend of 2 years. She was slow to make friends at the university. The history shows a close relationship with her mother and sister. She began eating large quantities when she felt sad, and then she induced vomiting. When the student's schoolwork declined, she sought help from the university health clinic. During the initial interview, what priority issue should the nurse address?
- A. Losses
- B. Sleep patterns
- C. School activities
- D. Menstrual flow
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Losses. The priority issue the nurse should address is the student's recent breakup and difficulty making friends, which are significant losses impacting her emotional well-being. By addressing these losses, the nurse can help the student process her emotions and develop coping strategies.
B: Sleep patterns may be affected by the student's emotional distress, but it is a secondary concern compared to addressing the underlying losses.
C: School activities are important, but the root cause of the student's decline in schoolwork is likely related to her emotional state following the breakup.
D: Menstrual flow is not the priority issue at this time as it is not directly related to the student's emotional struggles and academic decline.
Why did the risk of acquiring disease decrease for people living in cities since the 1850's?
- A. The 'sanitation revolution' improved the water supplies
- B. Urban residents received more regular vaccinations
- C. Antibiotics were more readily used
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The sanitation revolution, along with vaccinations and antibiotics, collectively reduced disease risk in cities since the 1850s.
A 79-year-old white male tells a nurse, 'I have felt very sad lately. I do not have much to live for. My family and friends are all dead, and my own health is failing.' The nurse should analyze this comment as
- A. normal pessimism of the elderly.
- B. evidence of risks for suicide.
- C. a call for sympathy.
- D. normal grieving.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: evidence of risks for suicide. The elderly man's statement indicates feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, and lack of purpose, which are common risk factors for suicide in older adults. The nurse should assess further for suicidal ideation and intervene accordingly.
Choice A is incorrect because the statement goes beyond normal pessimism by expressing thoughts of not having much to live for. Choice C is incorrect as the statement is more indicative of distress rather than a mere call for sympathy. Choice D is incorrect as normal grieving typically involves processing emotions related to a specific loss, whereas the man's statement reflects a broader sense of despair.
A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa who is refusing to eat. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Provide a structured meal plan and encourage the patient to eat.
- B. Avoid discussing food intake to reduce anxiety.
- C. Allow the patient to skip meals to avoid pressure.
- D. Offer incentives for eating a full meal.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Provide a structured meal plan and encourage the patient to eat. This is the first step because patients with anorexia nervosa often struggle with disordered eating behaviors and need guidance and support to establish healthy eating habits. Providing a structured meal plan helps the patient understand the importance of regular and balanced meals. Encouraging the patient to eat helps address their resistance and fear around food.
Incorrect choices:
B: Avoid discussing food intake to reduce anxiety - This choice is incorrect because avoiding discussing food intake does not address the underlying issue and may perpetuate the patient's disordered eating behavior.
C: Allow the patient to skip meals to avoid pressure - Allowing the patient to skip meals enables their unhealthy behavior and does not promote recovery.
D: Offer incentives for eating a full meal - While incentives may be used as a motivational tool, they do not address the core issue of establishing a healthy relationship with food.