The nurse overhears the supervisor reprimand the charge nurse for not discussing feelings with a client. Shortly after, a client asks the charge nurse for an extra blanket. The charge nurse angrily responds, 'Get it yourself!' The nurse recognizes the charge nurse is displaying which defense mechanism?
- A. Compensation.
- B. Displacement.
- C. Conversion.
- D. Projection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from one target to another. The charge nurse, upset from the reprimand, displaces anger onto the client by responding harshly to a simple request, rather than addressing the supervisor.
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The nurse is interviewing a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has a respiratory rate of 35 breaths per minute and who is experiencing extreme dyspnea. On the basis of the nurse's observations, which is the appropriate client concern?
- A. Lack of knowledge about COPD
- B. Difficulty coping related with a situational crisis
- C. Negative self-image because of neurological deficit
- D. Restricted verbal communication because of a physical barrier
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client with COPD may suffer physical or psychological alterations that impair communication. To speak spontaneously and clearly, a person must have an intact respiratory system. Extreme dyspnea is a physical alteration that affects speech. There are no data in the question that support the remaining options.
A client is suspected of having posttraumatic stress disorder. Which problem is the most important for the nurse to assess?
- A. panic attacks
- B. anorexia
- C. suicide
- D. short-term memory loss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suicide risk is the most critical to assess in PTSD due to high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.
A client is brought to the emergency department after overdosing on sleeping pills. The nurse is able to wake the client. Which question does the nurse ask first?
- A. Why did you take the medication?
- B. Can you share what is bothering you?
- C. How much medication did you take?
- D. Were you trying to kill yourself?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Determining the amount of medication taken is critical to assess the overdose’s severity and guide immediate treatment. Intent, emotional state, or reasons are secondary to ensuring physical safety.
When performing an assessment on a client who is suicidal, which question is the most appropriate for the nurse to ask?
- A. Do you have a death wish?'
- B. Do you wish your life was over?'
- C. Do you ever think about ending it all?'
- D. Do you have any thoughts of killing yourself?'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A lethality assessment requires direct communication between the client and the nurse concerning the client's intent. It is important to provide a question that is directly related to lethality. Euphemisms should be avoided.
The nurse obtains an electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm strip for an adult client who is anxious about the results. The ECG shows that the heart rate is 90 beats per minute. Which statement should the nurse make to the client to relieve anxiety?
- A. The rate is normal.
- B. There is no need to worry.
- C. A slower heart rate is preferred.
- D. Medication specific to the problem will be prescribed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal adult resting pulse rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute; therefore, the rate is normal. The nurse would not tell a client not to worry. Options 3 and 4 indicate that the ECG is abnormal.