At what age do the synaptic connections in human brain peak?
- A. At birth
- B. End of 3 years
- C. 5 years
- D. 8 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Synaptic connections peak around the end of 3 years (B), a period of rapid synaptogenesis and neural plasticity, followed by pruning. At birth (A), development begins, while 5 (C) and 8 years (D) see continued growth but past the peak, per neurodevelopmental research.
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A nurse is educating a patient with anorexia nervosa about nutrition. What should the nurse focus on?
- A. Encouraging rapid weight gain through a high-calorie diet.
- B. Promoting gradual weight gain and nutritional rehabilitation.
- C. Providing a low-calorie diet to maintain a healthy weight.
- D. Focusing on weight maintenance without discussing food intake.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because promoting gradual weight gain and nutritional rehabilitation is essential in treating anorexia nervosa. Rapid weight gain can lead to medical complications and mental distress. Providing a low-calorie diet (C) contradicts the goal of weight gain. Focusing on weight maintenance without discussing food intake (D) neglects the importance of nutrition in recovery.
A patient admitted to the eating disorders unit has yellow skin, the extremities are cold, and the heart rate is 42 bpm. The patient weighs 70 pounds; height is 5 feet 4 inches. The patient is quiet during the assessment saying only, "I will not eat until I lose enough weight to look thin." Select the best initial nursing diagnosis.
- A. Anxiety related to fear of weight gain
- B. Disturbed body image related to weight loss
- C. Ineffective coping related to lack of conflict resolution skills
- D. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to self-starvation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct initial nursing diagnosis is D: Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to self-starvation. The patient's symptoms indicate severe malnutrition from self-starvation, leading to the yellow skin, cold extremities, low heart rate, and underweight status. The patient's statement reflects their distorted perception of body image and the extreme measures taken to achieve thinness. Choice A (Anxiety related to fear of weight gain) is not the best initial diagnosis as it focuses on anxiety rather than the critical issue of malnutrition. Choice B (Disturbed body image related to weight loss) is not the best initial diagnosis as it does not address the immediate risk of severe malnutrition. Choice C (Ineffective coping related to lack of conflict resolution skills) is not the best initial diagnosis as it does not prioritize the life-threatening malnutrition present in this case.
A depressed patient tells the nurse, "The bad things that happen are always my fault." How should the nurse respond to assist the patient to reframe this overgeneralization?
- A. I really doubt that one person can be blamed for all the bad things that happen.
- B. You are being exceptionally hard on yourself when you imply you are a jinx.
- C. What about the good things that happen; are any of those ever your fault?
- D. Let's look at one bad thing that happened to see if another explanation exists.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it encourages the patient to challenge the overgeneralization by exploring alternative explanations for a specific event. By examining one bad thing in detail, the patient can see that not everything is their fault, promoting a more balanced perspective.
A is incorrect because it simply doubts the patient's statement without providing a constructive way to reframe it. B is incorrect as it introduces the idea of being a jinx, which may further reinforce the patient's negative self-perception. C is incorrect as it diverts the focus to good things, which does not address the patient's negative beliefs about themselves.
A 25-year-old individual was brought by ambulance to the emergency room. The patient's sensorium alternates between clouded and clear, and the patient becomes agitated both physically and verbally when approached. The patient's cognitive impairment is most consistent with:
- A. Delirium
- B. Dementia
- C. Sundown syndrome
- D. Early-onset Alzheimer disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Delirium. Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, altered level of consciousness, and cognitive impairment. In this case, the patient's alternating sensorium and agitation suggest an acute confusional state, which is typical of delirium. Delirium is often caused by underlying medical conditions, medications, or substance abuse.
Summary of other choices:
B: Dementia is a chronic, progressive cognitive decline that does not typically present with acute onset and fluctuating symptoms like delirium.
C: Sundown syndrome refers to worsening of symptoms in the evening and is often seen in patients with dementia, not in this acute and fluctuating presentation.
D: Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that typically has a more insidious onset and does not present with acute fluctuations in cognition like delirium.
What is the primary goal for a nurse treating a patient with anorexia nervosa?
- A. To help the patient achieve optimal body weight quickly.
- B. To restore the patient's nutritional balance and weight.
- C. To involve the patient in daily exercise routines to improve physical health.
- D. To encourage the patient to undergo intensive psychotherapy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal for a nurse treating a patient with anorexia nervosa is to restore the patient's nutritional balance and weight. This is because individuals with anorexia nervosa often have severe malnutrition and weight loss, which can lead to serious health complications. By focusing on restoring nutritional balance and weight, the nurse can help improve the patient's physical health and overall well-being. Encouraging the patient to achieve optimal body weight quickly (choice A) may not be realistic or safe, as rapid weight gain can have negative consequences. Involving the patient in daily exercise routines (choice C) may exacerbate the patient's compulsive behaviors around food and exercise. Encouraging the patient to undergo intensive psychotherapy (choice D) is important, but it is not the primary goal in the initial treatment of anorexia nervosa.