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After assessing a patient, the nurse noted the following: he was tearful, he tried to kill himself before coming into the hospital, he had no immediate plan for another suicide attempt, he was unable to concentrate, and he reported having trouble sleeping and having little or no appetite. The nurse also noted that the patient?s appearance was unkempt, that he spoke in a low monotone, and that he was unable to establish and maintain eye contact. Based on this information, which nursing diagnoses would be the most appropriate?
- A. Ineffective Role Performance
- B. Risk for Infection
- C. Risk for Suicide
- D. Risk for Self-Mutilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient?s recent suicide attempt, tearfulness, and depressive symptoms (poor concentration, sleep issues, low appetite, unkempt appearance) indicate a high risk for suicide, making 'Risk for Suicide' the most appropriate diagnosis. Ineffective Role Performance is less immediate, and there?s no evidence for infection or self-mutilation risk.
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The nurse is reviewing the assessment data of a patient diagnosed with a mental illness. The patient is to be prescribed medication to treat the illness. The nurse would identify changes in which laboratory values as being the least significant?
- A. Hemoglobin
- B. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
- D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hemoglobin levels, related to oxygen-carrying capacity, are less directly relevant to psychiatric medication management compared to liver function (ALT) and kidney function (BUN, creatinine), which affect drug metabolism and excretion. Abnormal hemoglobin may indicate anemia but is less critical for psychotropic drugs.
Which of the following questions would be most helpful in beginning an initial assessment interview for a patient who has just been admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit?
- A. Have you had any previous psychiatric admissions?
- B. What brings you into the hospital today?
- C. Have you had any thoughts about trying to harm yourself?
- D. How would you describe your relationship with your spouse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The initial assessment interview aims to establish rapport and understand the patient?s primary reason for admission. Asking 'What brings you into the hospital today?' is open-ended, patient-centered, and elicits the patient?s perception of their problem, setting the stage for further assessment. Previous admissions, suicidal thoughts, and relationships are important but secondary to understanding the current reason for admission.
A patient was brought to the emergency department for an injury he received while working as a migrant worker. It soon becomes evident that the patient cannot speak English. A nurse on duty offers to find an interpreter so the patient can communicate with the medical staff. The nurse?s offer is an example of which type of nursing intervention?
- A. Milieu therapy
- B. Conflict resolution
- C. Cultural brokering
- D. Structured interaction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural brokering involves facilitating communication and understanding between individuals of different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, such as securing an interpreter for a non-English-speaking patient. Milieu therapy manages the therapeutic environment, conflict resolution addresses disputes, and structured interaction is less specific.
A group of nursing students are reviewing information about counseling interventions. The students demonstrate a need for additional review when they identify counseling interventions as involving which of the following?
- A. Specific, time-limited intervention
- B. Focus on coping improvement
- C. Goal of regaining functional abilities
- D. Prevention of disability
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Counseling interventions focus on improving coping (B), regaining function (C), and preventing disability (D), but they are not always specific or time-limited (A), as they may be ongoing or flexible. Identifying A as a key feature indicates misunderstanding.
A patient is being admitted to the psychiatric unit. While explaining his reason for seeking admission, he describes how his 32-year-old son recently died of a heart attack. Which response by the nurse would enhance the effectiveness of this interview?
- A. How is your wife handling your son?s death?
- B. Do you have any other living children that can help you cope with this loss?
- C. This must be a very difficult time for you.
- D. I know exactly how you?re feeling; my 23-year-old son died unexpectedly last year.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A therapeutic response acknowledges the patient?s emotions and fosters rapport. 'This must be a very difficult time for you' reflects empathy and encourages further sharing. Options A and B shift focus to others, and option D involves inappropriate self-disclosure, which may detract from the patient?s needs.