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.
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The nurse is caring for a client with a history of schizophrenia. The nurse asks the client if he is ready to eat his lunch. The client responds, 'Rain, train, down the drain, Jane's brain.' The nurse recognizes this type of speech pattern as which type?
- A. echolalia
- B. word salad
- C. neologisms
- D. clang association
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clang association is characterized by words chosen for their sound (e.g., rhyming or alliteration) rather than meaning, as seen in the client's response.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. The family is asking what to expect when the end draws near. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. I will have the doctor talk to you about that.
- B. The hospice nurse is the best person to answer your questions. I can put in a consult for you.
- C. Don't worry about that right now. You don't know if there is another treatment option that will work.
- D. I can tell you what to look for when the time comes. In the meantime, what are your wishes and goals for care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This response addresses the family's question while opening a discussion about care goals, which is supportive and appropriate.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease who will be receiving radiation and chemotherapy. Which statement by the client indicates a positive coping mechanism to be used during these treatments?
- A. I won't leave the house bald.'
- B. Losing my hair won't bother me.'
- C. I will be one of the few who doesn't lose my hair.'
- D. I have selected a wig, even though I will miss my own hair.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A combination of radiation and chemotherapy often causes alopecia. To make use of positive coping mechanisms, the client must identify personal feelings and positive interventions to deal with side effects. None of the remaining options are positive coping mechanisms.
The nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client demonstrating mania. Which interventions should be included in the plan of care?
- A. Place the client in seclusion.
- B. Ignore any client complaints.
- C. Use a firm and calm approach.
- D. Use short and concise explanations and statements.
- E. Remain neutral and avoid power struggles and value judgments.
- F. Firmly redirect energy into more appropriate and constructive channels.
Correct Answer: C,D,E,F
Rationale: A client with mania will be extremely restless, disorganized, and chaotic. Grandiose plans are extremely out of touch with reality, and judgment is poor. Interventions for the client in acute mania include using a firm and calm approach to provide structure and control, using short and concise explanations or statements because of the client's short attention span, remaining neutral and avoiding power struggles and value judgments, being consistent in approach and expectations and having frequent staff meetings to plan consistent approaches and to set agreed-on limits to avoid manipulation by the client, hearing and acting on legitimate client complaints, and redirecting energy into more appropriate and constructive channels.
A client is about to undergo a pericardiocentesis to help manage rapidly accumulating pericardial effusion. What is the best plan for the nurse to implement to alleviate the client's apprehension?
- A. Suggesting the client watch television during the procedure as a distraction
- B. Talking to the client from the foot of the bed and assisting with the procedure
- C. Staying beside the client to give information and encouragement during the procedure
- D. Assuring the client that even though there are other clients needing care, the client's needs are most important
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients who develop sudden complications are in situational crisis and need therapeutic intervention. Staying with the client and giving information and encouragement is part of building and maintaining trust in the nurse-client relationship. Options 1 and 4 distance the nurse from the client psychosocially. The nurse should ask another caregiver to be available to assist with the procedure.
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