The nurse enters the room of a client who has been diagnosed having a myocardial infarction (MI) and finds the client quietly crying. After determining that there is no physiological reason for the client's distress, how should the nurse best respond?
- A. Do you want me to call your daughter?'
- B. Can you tell me a little about what has you so upset?'
- C. Try not to be so upset. Psychological stress is bad for your heart.'
- D. I understand how you feel. I'd cry, too, if I had a major heart attack.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with MI often have anxiety or fear. The nurse allows the client to express concerns by showing genuine interest and concern and facilitating communication using therapeutic communication techniques. The correct option provides the client with an opportunity to express concerns. The remaining options do not address the client's feelings or promote client verbalization.
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A client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia is experiencing visual hallucinations. The nurse plans care based on the determination that this symptom is related to an alteration in brain function in which lobe of the cerebrum?
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 3
- D. 4
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Visual hallucinations indicate an alteration in brain function in the cerebrum. The occipital lobe is located in the back of the head and is primarily responsible for seeing and receiving information and is responsible for visual hallucinations. The temporal lobe lies beneath the skull on both sides of the brain and is primarily responsible for hearing and receiving information via the ears. Symptoms indicating an alteration of function in the temporal lobe include auditory hallucinations, sensory aphasia, alterations in memory, and altered emotional responses. The frontal lobe is located in the anterior or front area of the brain and is primarily responsible for motor functions, higher thought processes such as decision making, intellectual insight and judgment, and expression of emotion. Symptoms indicating an alteration of function in the frontal lobe include changes in affect, alteration in language production, alteration in motor function, impulsive behavior, and impaired decision making. The parietal lobe lies beneath the skull at the back and top of the head and is primarily responsible for association and sensory perception. Symptoms indicating an alteration of function in the parietal lobe include alterations in sensory perceptions, difficulty with time concepts and calculating numbers, alteration in personal hygiene, and poor attention span.
A client states to the nurse, 'I don't do anything right. I'm such a loser.' Which therapeutic statement should the nurse make to the client?
- A. You don't do anything right?
- B. You do things right all the time.
- C. Can we identify things you do right?
- D. You are not a loser, you are depressed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Option 1 provides the client with the opportunity to verbalize. With this statement, the nurse can learn more about what the client really means by the statement. The remaining options are closed statements and do not encourage the client to explore further.
The nurse is caring for a client in the psychiatric unit who has issues with coping and defense mechanisms. The nurse understands that which is true regarding coping and defense mechanisms? Select all that apply.
- A. Coping mechanisms are destructive ways to avoid dealing with reality.
- B. Physical symptoms, general irritability, and self-destructive behaviors are some of the signs of inadequate coping.
- C. Criticizing ineffective defense mechanisms will guide the client toward better coping techniques.
- D. Ineffective coping mechanisms allow anxiety to increase, triggering the client to utilize defense mechanisms in order to protect himself from the anxiety.
- E. The inability to cope can be caused by a lack of an adequate support system, a serious medical diagnosis, situational crises, or a lack of psychological resources.
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Coping mechanisms are constructive, not destructive, making A incorrect. Criticizing defense mechanisms is nontherapeutic, making C incorrect. Signs of inadequate coping, anxiety escalation, and causes of poor coping are accurate.
A client experiencing urticaria (hives) and pruritus states to the nurse, 'What am I going to do? I'm getting married next week, and I'll probably be covered in this rash and itching like crazy.' Which statement made by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
- A. You're troubled that this will extend into your wedding?
- B. It's probably just due to prewedding jitters. You'll be fine.
- C. The antihistamine will help a great deal, just you wait and see.
- D. Do you think this would really be something that could ruin your wedding?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic communication technique that the nurse uses in option 1 is reflection. In option 2, the nurse minimizes the client's anxiety and fears. In option 3, the nurse talks about antihistamines and asks the client to 'wait and see.' This is nontherapeutic because the nurse is making promises that may not be kept. In addition, the response is closed-ended and shuts off the client's expression of feelings. In option 4, the nurse responds without sensitivity.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with acute pulmonary edema. Which psychosocial strategy should the nurse plan to incorporate into the care of the client?
- A. Reducing anxiety
- B. Increasing fluid volume
- C. Decreasing cardiac output
- D. Promoting a positive body image
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reducing anxiety will help the client during treatment to increase cardiac output and decrease fluid volume. When cardiac output falls as a result of acute pulmonary edema, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system results in the fight-or-flight reaction, which further impairs cardiac function. A disturbed body image is not a common problem among clients with acute pulmonary edema.
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