The nurse provides care for a client diagnosed with bulimia. Which nursing action is most helpful in determining what precipitates the client'sEating disorder?
- A. Observe the family communication patterns at a monitored mealtime.
- B. Distract the client at mealtimes.
- C. Assign the client a food/feelings/thoughts action journal.
- D. Ask the client to write a history of eating behaviors.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A food/feelings/thoughts journal helps identify triggers and patterns associated with binge-purge behaviors, providing insight into precipitants. Observing family dynamics is useful but less direct, and distraction or history-writing are less focused on current triggers.
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A client is telling the nurse about his perception of his thought patterns. Which of the following statements by the client would validate the diagnosis of bipolar disorder?
- A. Sometimes I'm ready to take on the world, but other times I'm too tired to get out of bed.
- B. I need to check and then recheck all the kitchen appliances several times to make sure they are off before I feel comfortable leaving my home.
- C. My neighbors hold sacrificial rites in their backyard.
- D. I keep on patrol all night so the enemy won't invade my home and hurt me or my family.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This statement describes mood swings between mania and depression, characteristic of bipolar disorder.
Following a train accident, the nurse triages a group of victims. When the nurse asks how one of the clients is feeling, the client states matter-of-factly, 'Look at all the rescue trucks. It's like watching a movie.' Which defense mechanism does the nurse identify that the client is using?
- A. Dissociation.
- B. Regression.
- C. Projection.
- D. Denial.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dissociation involves detaching from reality to cope with trauma, as seen in the client’s detached, movie-like perception of the accident. Regression, projection, and denial involve different coping mechanisms not reflected in this statement.
The nurse is assessing a client who was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of urinary calculi. The client received 4 mg of morphine sulfate approximately 2 hours previously. The client states to the nurse, 'I'm scared to death that it'll come back.' Based on these statements, which concern should the nurse identify for this client at this time?
- A. Fear of dying
- B. Lack of understanding about the disease process
- C. Anxiety about the anticipation of recurrent severe pain
- D. Retention of urine from the obstruction of the urinary tract by calculi
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client stated, 'I'm scared to death that it'll come back.' The anticipation of the recurring pain produces anxiety and threatens the client's psychological integrity. There is no evidence that the client has a calculus in the right ureter. There is also no evidence that the client has lack of knowledge or urinary retention.
A 17-year-old female with a self-admitted opioid addiction is seen by the nurse in a mental health clinic. Which intervention would the nurse not consider in establishing a therapeutic relationship?
- A. discuss the impact of substance use
- B. require the client to attend all therapy sessions
- C. explore alternative approaches to managing stress
- D. assess the presence of other psychiatric disorders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mandating attendance can undermine trust and autonomy, hindering a therapeutic relationship.
A client diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has expressed frustration with learning the diabetic regimen and insulin administration. Which should be the initial action by the home care nurse?
- A. Attempt to identify the cause of the frustration.
- B. Call the primary health care provider to discuss the client's problem.
- C. Offer to administer the insulin on a daily basis until the client is ready to learn.
- D. Continue with teaching, knowing that the client will overcome any frustrations.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The home care nurse must determine what is causing the client's frustration. The issue needs to be addressed by the nurse before involving the provider. Administering the insulin provides only a short-term solution. Continuing to teach may only further block the learning process.