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The highest priority for assessment by nurses caring for older adults who self-administer medications is:
- A. Use of multiple drugs with anticholinergic effects.
- B. Overuse of medications for erectile dysfunction.
- C. Missed doses of medications for arthritis.
- D. Trading medications with acquaintances.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Use of multiple drugs with anticholinergic effects. This is the highest priority as anticholinergic medications can have severe side effects in older adults, including confusion, constipation, and increased risk of falls. Nurses need to assess for potential harm caused by these medications.
Choice B (Overuse of medications for erectile dysfunction) is not the highest priority as it may not pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of older adults compared to anticholinergic effects.
Choice C (Missed doses of medications for arthritis) is important but not as critical as assessing for the potential harm caused by anticholinergic medications.
Choice D (Trading medications with acquaintances) is concerning but not as urgent as assessing for the harmful effects of anticholinergic medications, which can lead to serious health complications.
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A patient presents to the emergency department with mixed psychiatric symptoms. The admission nurse suspects the symptoms may be the result of a medical problem. Lab results show elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine. What is the nurse’s next best action?
- A. Report the findings to the health care provider.
- B. Assess the patient for a history of renal problems.
- C. Assess the patient’s family history for cardiac problems.
- D. Arrange for the patient’s hospitalization on the psychiatric unit.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (A): Reporting the findings to the health care provider is the next best action because elevated BUN and creatinine levels indicate possible renal dysfunction, which could be causing the psychiatric symptoms. The health care provider needs this information to determine appropriate treatment and further evaluation.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
B: Assessing the patient for a history of renal problems is not the next best action because the lab results already indicate potential renal issues.
C: Assessing the patient’s family history for cardiac problems is irrelevant to the elevated BUN and creatinine levels and the psychiatric symptoms.
D: Arranging for the patient’s hospitalization on the psychiatric unit is premature without addressing the underlying medical issue indicated by the lab results.
Which patient behavior supports the diagnosis of residual schizophrenia with negative symptoms?
- A. Communicating using only rhyming phases
- B. Claims that worms are crawling in my brain
- C. Maintaining both arms suspended awkwardly overhead
- D. Shows no emotion when telling the story of a sister’s recent death
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because showing no emotion when discussing a personal tragedy is indicative of blunted affect, a negative symptom commonly seen in residual schizophrenia. This behavior aligns with the diagnostic criteria for residual schizophrenia, which includes the presence of negative symptoms like flat affect. Choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to negative symptoms of schizophrenia. A communicating style or claims about worms do not specifically indicate negative symptoms, and maintaining arms awkwardly overhead is not a typical symptom of residual schizophrenia.
A nurse plans care based upon the fact that anticipatory grief:
- A. Is associated with fewer expressions of guilt
- B. Prevents development of symptoms of depression
- C. Requires a longer period of time to effect resolution
- D. Prevents development of symptoms of depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because anticipatory grief allows individuals to gradually accept the impending loss, leading to fewer feelings of guilt. This process helps the individual prepare emotionally and psychologically for the eventual loss, reducing guilt related to not being able to prevent it. Choice B is incorrect because anticipatory grief does not prevent symptoms of depression, but rather helps individuals cope with them. Choice C is incorrect as anticipatory grief does not necessarily require a longer period of time for resolution; it varies for each individual. Choice D is incorrect, as mentioned earlier, because anticipatory grief does not prevent symptoms of depression but helps individuals navigate through them.
The nurse determines that a patient is showing a decline in explicit memory. Which characterizes such a deficiency?
- A. Inability to remember how to operate a common kitchen appliance
- B. Difficulty remembering the name of a place visited 20 years ago
- C. Being unsuccessful at retaining new information
- D. Forgetting the ingredients of a favorite recipe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because difficulty remembering the name of a place visited 20 years ago is a specific example of explicit memory decline. Explicit memory refers to the ability to consciously recall past events, facts, or experiences. This choice directly relates to a long-term memory retrieval issue, which is a hallmark of explicit memory decline. Choices A, C, and D do not specifically address explicit memory decline but rather touch on different memory processes such as procedural memory (A), short-term memory (C), and semantic memory (D).
Which behavior best supports the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in an 8-year-old child?
- A. Cries when separated from his mother or father
- B. Refuses to pick up toys as instructed by his parents
- C. Is fascinated with spinning and moving toys and objects
- D. Can concentrate on schoolwork for only very short periods of time.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the inability to concentrate for extended periods is a key characteristic of ADHD. This behavior aligns with the inattention aspect of the disorder. Choice A is incorrect as separation anxiety does not directly relate to ADHD. Choice B could indicate oppositional behavior rather than ADHD. Choice C suggests sensory-seeking behavior, which is not a defining feature of ADHD.