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Many persons brought before a criminal court have mental illness, have committed minor offenses, and are off medications. The judge consults the nurse at the local community mental health center for guidance about how to respond when handling such cases. Which advice from the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Sometimes a little time in jail makes a person rethink what theyve been doing and puts them back on the right track.'
- B. Sentencing such persons to participate in treatment instead of incarcerating them has been shown to reduce repeat offenses.'
- C. Arresting these people helps them in the long run. Sometimes we cannot hospitalize them, but in jail they will get their medication.'
- D. Research suggests that special mental health courts do not make much difference so far, but outpatient commitment does seem to help.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Research supports the use of special mental health courts that can sentence mentally ill persons to treatment instead of jail. Jail exposes vulnerable mentally ill persons to criminals, victimization, and high levels of stimulation and stress. Incarceration can also interrupt eligibility for benefits or lead to the loss of housing and often provides lower-quality mental health treatment in other settings. Recidivism rates for both mentally ill and non-mentally ill offenders are relatively high, so it does not appear that incarceration necessarily leads people to behave more appropriately. In addition, a criminal record can leave them more desperate and with fewer options after release. Research indicates that outpatient commitment is less effective at improving the mental health of mentally ill persons than was expected.
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The nurse who is caring for a 23-year-old client with bulimia knows that the most common method of purging to monitor this client for is:
- A. Vomiting.
- B. Starvation.
- C. Excessive enema use.
- D. None of the above.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vomiting. In bulimia, vomiting is the most common method of purging after binge eating to control weight. Monitoring for signs of vomiting, such as frequent trips to the bathroom after meals or presence of swollen salivary glands, is crucial. Starvation (B) is not a method of purging in bulimia but rather a consequence of restriction in anorexia nervosa. Excessive enema use (C) is not a common method of purging in bulimia and can be harmful. Therefore, the correct choice is A as it aligns with the typical behavior of individuals with bulimia.
The mother of a client newly diagnosed with schizophrenia is a nurse. She unhappily tells the nurse on the unit, 'I've tried to be a good mother, but my daughter still developed schizophrenia. When I was in school, we were taught that it was the mother's fault if a child became schizophrenic. I wish I knew what I did wrong.' The response that would help the mother evaluate models explaining schizophrenia would be:
- A. I can see how you would be upset over this turn of events.'
- B. New findings suggest this disorder is biologic in nature.'
- C. Don't be so hard on yourself; your daughter needs you to be strong.'
- D. It's difficult to see that double-bind communication produces stress for the child at the time it's occurring.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct answer: B
Rationale:
1. This response acknowledges the mother's distress but shifts the focus to new findings suggesting schizophrenia is biologic in nature.
2. It provides the mother with updated information that contradicts the outdated belief that mothers are to blame for schizophrenia.
3. By highlighting the biological basis of the disorder, it helps the mother understand that it is not her fault.
4. This response encourages the mother to consider scientific evidence rather than blaming herself, promoting a more accurate understanding of the condition.
Summary:
- Choice A validates the mother's feelings but doesn't offer factual information to challenge her belief.
- Choice C aims to provide emotional support but doesn't address the mother's need for accurate information.
- Choice D introduces the concept of double-bind communication, which is not directly relevant to helping the mother understand the biological nature of schizophrenia.
A client who has been diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia is highly suspicious and delusional. He hears voices telling him terrorists are plotting to assassinate him. He refuses to eat, saying the food is poisoned. The nursing action that best addresses his needs is to:
- A. Explain that others eat the food and are not harmed
- B. Allow client to select food from vending machines
- C. Assist client with personal hygiene and grooming
- D. Not allow client to verbalize delusional thoughts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Allow client to select food from vending machines. This option respects the client's autonomy and addresses his specific delusion of food being poisoned. By allowing the client to select food from vending machines, he can choose items he believes are safe, which can help alleviate his paranoia and increase his trust in the care being provided. This approach promotes a therapeutic relationship and empowers the client in making choices about his care.
Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Explaining that others eat the food and are not harmed may not be effective as the client's delusion is strong, and rational arguments may not be helpful in this case.
C: Assisting with personal hygiene and grooming is important but does not directly address the client's delusion about food being poisoned.
D: Not allowing the client to verbalize delusional thoughts can escalate the client's distress and hinder the therapeutic relationship. It is essential to acknowledge the client's experiences and work towards building trust and rapport
The nurse is assisting a victim of spousal abuse to create a plan for escape if it becomes necessary. What components should the plan include? Select all that apply.
- A. A code word to signal children that it is time to leave.
- B. Phone numbers for the nearest shelter and crisis hotline.
- C. Telling the spouse that she has a plan and will leave.
- D. Collecting birth certificates and other essential documents.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: A code word to signal children that it is time to leave. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of the victim and their children without alerting the abuser. Other choices like B, providing phone numbers for shelters, are important but may not always be feasible in an emergency. Choice C, informing the spouse about the plan, can escalate the situation. Choice D, collecting essential documents, is important but may not always be the immediate priority in a dangerous situation. Having a code word ensures a discreet and quick escape if needed.
A nurse assesses that which of the following individuals is most likely to engage in binge-eating behaviors characteristic of bulimia?
- A. A person who weighs 225 pounds and is 5 feet 4 inches tall.
- B. A person who is 5 pounds overweight and cannot stick to a diet.
- C. A person who lost up 40 pounds but gained it back within 1 year.
- D. A person who monitors caloric intake in order to fit into a small suit.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because binge-eating behaviors are often associated with individuals who struggle to control their eating, leading to episodes of excessive food consumption. Being unable to stick to a diet indicates a lack of control, which is a key characteristic of binge-eating. Choice A focuses more on weight and height, which are not direct indicators of binge-eating. Choice C describes weight fluctuations, which may not necessarily be linked to binge-eating. Choice D emphasizes monitoring caloric intake for a specific goal, which does not necessarily indicate a loss of control over eating behavior.