Nokea
The nurse is reviewing the assessment data of a patient diagnosed with a mental illness. The patient is to be prescribed medication to treat the illness. The nurse would identify changes in which laboratory values as being the least significant?
- A. Hemoglobin
- B. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
- D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hemoglobin levels, related to oxygen-carrying capacity, are less directly relevant to psychiatric medication management compared to liver function (ALT) and kidney function (BUN, creatinine), which affect drug metabolism and excretion. Abnormal hemoglobin may indicate anemia but is less critical for psychotropic drugs.
You may also like to solve these questions
During assessment, the nurse asks a patient to explain what the following means: 'A penny saved is a penny earned.' The nurse is assessing which of the following?
- A. Affect
- B. Attention
- C. Concentration
- D. Abstract reasoning
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Interpreting proverbs like 'A penny saved is a penny earned' requires abstract reasoning, the ability to understand and analyze abstract concepts. Affect involves emotional expression, attention is focus, and concentration is sustained mental effort.
A nurse is assisting a patient in using simple relaxation techniques. Which of the following would the nurse do first?
- A. Have the patient assume a relaxed position.
- B. Advise the patient to let the sensations happen.
- C. Ensure a quiet, nondisrupting environment.
- D. Instruct the patient to take an initial slow, deep breath.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ensuring a quiet, nondisrupting environment is the first step in relaxation techniques, as it creates optimal conditions for relaxation. Positioning, allowing sensations, and deep breathing follow to facilitate the process.
A home health nurse is making a home visit to a psychiatric patient who was recently discharged from a mental health unit. During the visit, the nurse plans on clarifying when she will return for the next home visit. During which stage would the nurse discuss the next home visit with the patient?
- A. Closure stage
- B. Service implementation
- C. Greeting stage
- D. Focus establishment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Discussing the next visit occurs during the closure stage, as it involves wrapping up the current interaction and planning future contact. Service implementation involves care delivery, greeting establishes rapport, and focus establishment sets the session?s purpose.
After assessing a patient, the nurse noted the following: he was tearful, he tried to kill himself before coming into the hospital, he had no immediate plan for another suicide attempt, he was unable to concentrate, and he reported having trouble sleeping and having little or no appetite. The nurse also noted that the patient?s appearance was unkempt, that he spoke in a low monotone, and that he was unable to establish and maintain eye contact. Based on this information, which nursing diagnoses would be the most appropriate?
- A. Ineffective Role Performance
- B. Risk for Infection
- C. Risk for Suicide
- D. Risk for Self-Mutilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient?s recent suicide attempt, tearfulness, and depressive symptoms (poor concentration, sleep issues, low appetite, unkempt appearance) indicate a high risk for suicide, making 'Risk for Suicide' the most appropriate diagnosis. Ineffective Role Performance is less immediate, and there?s no evidence for infection or self-mutilation risk.
A patient is being admitted to the psychiatric unit. While explaining his reason for seeking admission, he describes how his 32-year-old son recently died of a heart attack. Which response by the nurse would enhance the effectiveness of this interview?
- A. How is your wife handling your son?s death?
- B. Do you have any other living children that can help you cope with this loss?
- C. This must be a very difficult time for you.
- D. I know exactly how you?re feeling; my 23-year-old son died unexpectedly last year.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A therapeutic response acknowledges the patient?s emotions and fosters rapport. 'This must be a very difficult time for you' reflects empathy and encourages further sharing. Options A and B shift focus to others, and option D involves inappropriate self-disclosure, which may detract from the patient?s needs.