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The patient’s daughter was murdered while they were customers in a local bank. Which statements would support the patient’s diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Select all that apply:
- A. “I feel numb, like a robot going through the motions of existing.”
- B. “I’m so nervous and jump at the slightest noise.”
- C. “I have not slept very well at all since I lost her.”
- D. “I can’t stop reliving the last time I saw her alive.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because feeling numb and detached from emotions is a common symptom of PTSD known as emotional numbing. This symptom is often seen in individuals who have experienced a traumatic event, such as the murder of a loved one. It is a defense mechanism that helps the person cope with overwhelming emotions.
The other choices are incorrect:
B: Being nervous and easily startled (hypervigilance) is more indicative of the hyperarousal symptom of PTSD, not emotional numbing.
C: Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of PTSD, known as insomnia, but it does not directly relate to emotional numbing.
D: Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks or intrusive memories is a symptom of PTSD, but it is not directly related to emotional numbing.
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The mother of a child describes her child's annoying behavior as not being able to sit still or to stop jerking his arms when told to. Which disorder does the nurse suspect?
- A. Oppositional-defiant disorder
- B. Tourette’s disorder
- C. Oppositional-defiant disorder
- D. What makes you think he is doing that out of defiance?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tourette’s disorder. The child's inability to sit still and jerking arms suggest motor tics, which are common in Tourette's disorder. Tourette's is characterized by involuntary repetitive movements or sounds. Choice A is incorrect as oppositional-defiant disorder does not involve physical tics. Choice C is a duplicate. Choice D is incorrect as it assumes defiance rather than considering a neurological explanation for the behavior.
The spouse of a patient recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease asks, "Is there anything I can do to help delay the progression of this disease?" Which strategy has the greatest potential for preserving the protective abilities of immune cells related to the disease?
- A. Minimize contact with the public during cold and flu season.
- B. Enroll the patient in an exercise program that meets regularly.
- C. Provide supplements to enhance the patient’s immune system.
- D. Identify creative ways to keep the patient mentally challenged.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Enroll the patient in an exercise program that meets regularly. Regular exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for brain health, including improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Exercise also helps in maintaining a healthy immune system by promoting the circulation of immune cells throughout the body. This can help support the protective abilities of immune cells related to Alzheimer's disease.
Minimizing contact with the public during cold and flu season (Choice A) may reduce the risk of infections but does not directly address immune cell function. Providing supplements to enhance the patient's immune system (Choice C) may not be supported by scientific evidence and can potentially have adverse effects. Identifying creative ways to keep the patient mentally challenged (Choice D) is beneficial for cognitive health but does not directly target immune cell function as effectively as regular exercise.
A 79-year-old white male tells a nurse, “I have felt very sad lately. I do not have much to live for. My family and friends are all dead, and my own health is failing.” The nurse should analyze this comment as:
- A. Normal pessimism of the elderly.
- B. A call for sympathy
- C. Evidence of risks for suicide.
- D. Normal grieving.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Evidence of risks for suicide. The statement contains indicators such as feeling very sad, lack of purpose, isolation, and declining health, which are red flags for suicide risk in older adults. It is crucial for healthcare providers to assess and intervene promptly in such cases to prevent harm. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not address the seriousness of the situation or the potential risk for self-harm.
A nurse plans care based upon the fact that anticipatory grief:
- A. Is associated with fewer expressions of guilt
- B. Prevents development of symptoms of depression
- C. Requires a longer period of time to effect resolution
- D. Prevents development of symptoms of depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because anticipatory grief allows individuals to gradually accept the impending loss, leading to fewer feelings of guilt. This process helps the individual prepare emotionally and psychologically for the eventual loss, reducing guilt related to not being able to prevent it. Choice B is incorrect because anticipatory grief does not prevent symptoms of depression, but rather helps individuals cope with them. Choice C is incorrect as anticipatory grief does not necessarily require a longer period of time for resolution; it varies for each individual. Choice D is incorrect, as mentioned earlier, because anticipatory grief does not prevent symptoms of depression but helps individuals navigate through them.
Which intervention will the nurse planning care for a patient with acute grief implement?a. Providing information about the grief process
- A. Providing information about the grief process.
- B. Suggesting utilization of community resources in a few weeks
- C. Encouraging dependence on the nurse for support
- D. Assessing for signs of complicated grief or depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because providing information about the grief process helps the patient understand their feelings and reactions, promoting emotional healing. Choice B is incorrect because suggesting community resources may not address the patient's immediate needs. Choice C is incorrect as encouraging dependence on the nurse may hinder the patient's ability to cope independently. Choice D is incorrect because assessing for complicated grief or depression is important but not the initial intervention in planning care for acute grief.