Which client statement should alert a nurse that a client may be responding maladaptively to stress?
- A. I've found that avoiding contact with others helps me cope.
- B. I really enjoy journaling; it's my private time.
- C. I signed up for a yoga class this week.
- D. I made an appointment to meet with a therapist.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Reliance on social isolation as a coping mechanism is maladaptive and can hinder the development of appropriate coping skills and access to support systems. It may indicate a lack of healthy coping strategies and social connections, which are important for managing stress effectively. Choice B is a positive coping strategy that promotes self-reflection and emotional expression. Choice C reflects a proactive approach to managing stress through physical activity. Choice D shows a willingness to seek professional help, which is a healthy coping mechanism.
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According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which situation on an inpatient psychiatric unit would require priority intervention by a nurse?
- A. A client rudely complaining about limited visiting hours
- B. A client exhibiting aggressive behavior toward another client
- C. A client stating that no one cares
- D. A client verbalizing feelings of failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, safety needs are considered fundamental and must be addressed before higher-level needs. When a client exhibits aggressive behavior toward another client, it poses an immediate threat to safety and requires priority intervention by the nurse to ensure the well-being of all individuals involved. Clients who are rude in their complaints (Choice A), express feelings of failure (Choice D), or state that no one cares (Choice C) are addressing higher-level needs related to social interactions, esteem, and self-actualization, respectively, which can be addressed once safety needs are secured.
When developing a care plan for a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which of the following interventions should not be included?
- A. Encourage the client to avoid anxiety-provoking situations.
- B. Teach the client relaxation techniques.
- C. Encourage the client to express their feelings.
- D. Provide a structured daily routine.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Avoiding anxiety-provoking situations is not a recommended intervention in caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as it can reinforce the client's anxiety. Exposing the client gradually to feared situations can help reduce anxiety in the long term through techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Teaching relaxation techniques helps the client manage stress and anxiety effectively. Encouraging the client to express their feelings promotes emotional processing and reduces internal tension. Providing a structured daily routine can offer predictability and stability, which are beneficial for individuals with GAD.
A teenage boy is attracted to a female teacher. Without objective evidence, a school nurse overhears the boy state, 'I know she wants me.' This statement reflects which defense mechanism?
- A. Displacement
- B. Projection
- C. Rationalization
- D. Sublimation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Projection. The nurse should determine that the client's statement reflects the defense mechanism of projection. Projection refers to the attribution of one's unacceptable feelings or impulses to another person. In this case, the boy is projecting his own desires onto the female teacher, believing that she wants him. By externalizing his feelings, the boy reduces his anxiety and discomfort about his own attraction. Displacement involves transferring emotions from one target to another, not attributing one's own feelings to others. Rationalization involves creating logical explanations for unacceptable behaviors, not projecting feelings onto others. Sublimation is the channeling of unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions, which is not demonstrated in this scenario.
A patient is being educated about the difference between mental health and mental illness. Which statement by the patient reflects an accurate understanding of mental health?
- A. Mental health is the absence of any stressors.
- B. Mental health is successful adaptation to stressors in the internal and external environment.
- C. Mental health is incongruence between thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
- D. Mental health is a diagnostic category in the DSM-5.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Mental health is defined as the successful adaptation to stressors in the internal and external environment. This includes having thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age-appropriate and congruent with cultural and societal norms. Mental health is not solely the absence of stressors or incongruence between thoughts, feelings, and behavior, nor is it a specific diagnostic category in the DSM-5. Choice A is incorrect because mental health is not just the absence of stressors but the ability to adapt to them. Choice C is wrong as mental health involves congruence, not incongruence, between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Choice D is inaccurate as mental health is a broader concept than a specific diagnostic category in the DSM-5.
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed quetiapine. The nurse should monitor the patient for which common side effect?
- A. Weight gain
- B. Hypertension
- C. Hair loss
- D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight gain is a common side effect of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic. Quetiapine can lead to metabolic changes that may result in weight gain. Monitoring weight regularly is essential to address this potential side effect. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Quetiapine is not typically associated with hypertension, hair loss, or hyperthyroidism as common side effects.