James is a 42-year-old patient with schizophrenia. He approaches you as you arrive for the day shift and anxiously reports, 'Last night, demons came to my room and tried to rape me.' Which response would be most therapeutic?
- A. There are no such things as demons. What you saw were hallucinations.
- B. It is not possible for anyone to enter your room at night. You are safe here.
- C. You seem very upset. Please tell me more about what you experienced last night.
- D. That must have been very frightening, but we'll check on you at night and you'll be safe.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the most therapeutic response as it acknowledges the patient's feelings, shows empathy, and encourages further expression of his experiences. By actively listening and inviting the patient to share more details, the healthcare provider provides a supportive environment that can help the patient feel understood and validated. Option A dismisses the patient's experience and can make him feel unheard. Option B denies the patient's reality and can increase his distress. Option D, while offering reassurance, does not address the patient's emotional state or encourage further communication.
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Gilbert, age 19, is described by his parents as a 'moody child' with an onset of odd behavior at age 14, which caused Gilbert to suffer academically and socially. Gilbert has lost the ability to complete household chores, is reluctant to leave the house, and is obsessed with the locks on the windows and doors. Due to Gilbert's early and slow onset of what is now recognized as schizophrenia, his prognosis is considered:
- A. Favorable with medication
- B. In the relapse stage
- C. Improvable with psychosocial interventions
- D. To have a less positive outcome
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A person like Gilbert, with an early and slow onset of schizophrenia along with severe symptoms such as loss of daily functioning and obsessions, is likely to have a less positive outcome. Early and severe symptoms are often associated with a more chronic and debilitating course of schizophrenia, which can make treatment and recovery more challenging. Therefore, Gilbert's prognosis is considered to have a less positive outcome. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because Gilbert's condition, with its early onset and severe symptoms impacting daily life, suggests a more challenging prognosis that is less likely to be favorable with just medication or psychosocial interventions. Being in the relapse stage is not the primary concern here; the focus is on the overall outcome which is expected to be less positive given the early and severe nature of Gilbert's symptoms.
In an outpatient mental health clinic, a nurse is preparing to conduct an initial client interview. Which of the following actions should the nurse identify as a priority?
- A. Coordinate holistic care with social services
- B. Identify the client's perception of their mental health status
- C. Include the client's family in the interview
- D. Educate the client about their current mental health disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During an initial client interview in a mental health clinic, it is essential for the nurse to prioritize identifying the client's perception of their mental health status. Understanding how the client views their mental health can provide valuable insights into their condition, concerns, and needs, facilitating the development of a tailored and effective care plan. Coordinating holistic care with social services, including the client's family in the interview, and educating the client about their current mental health disorder are important aspects of care but may not be the priority during the initial interview, where understanding the client's own perspective is crucial.
When orienting a new client to a mental health unit, which of the following statements should the nurse make about the unit's community meetings?
- A. "Clients gather to discuss their treatment plans together."
- B. "Staff establish a specific agenda for community meetings."
- C. "Clients meet with staff to discuss common problems."
- D. "Community meetings provide an opportunity to explore personal mental health issues."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During community meetings in a mental health unit, clients come together with staff to discuss common problems they may be facing. These meetings are designed to foster a sense of community and provide support and guidance to clients. Choice A is incorrect because community meetings focus on discussions beyond individual treatment plans. Choice B is incorrect as while staff may facilitate the meetings, the focus is on clients' concerns, not a predetermined agenda. Choice D is incorrect as the primary purpose of community meetings is to address shared challenges, not individual mental health issues.
A community mental health nurse is planning care to address the issue of depression among older adult clients in the community. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement as a method of tertiary prevention?
- A. Educating clients on health promotion techniques to reduce the risk of depression
- B. Performing screenings for depression at community health programs
- C. Establishing rehabilitation programs to decrease the effects of depression
- D. Providing support groups for clients at risk for depression
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A healthcare professional is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the healthcare professional consider for referral to an assertive community treatment (ACT) group?
- A. A client in an acute care mental health facility who has fallen several times while running down the hallway
- B. A client who lives at home and keeps forgetting to come in for a scheduled monthly antipsychotic injection for schizophrenia
- C. A client in a day treatment program who reports increasing anxiety during group therapy
- D. A client in a weekly grief support group who reports still missing a deceased partner who has been dead for 3 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client who lives at home and repeatedly forgets to come in for a scheduled monthly antipsychotic injection for schizophrenia should be considered for referral to an assertive community treatment (ACT) group. ACT teams provide intensive community-based treatment and support for individuals with severe mental illness who may have difficulty adhering to treatment on their own. Choices A, C, and D do not describe individuals with severe mental illness who have difficulty adhering to treatment or need intensive community-based support, which are the typical candidates for referral to an ACT group.