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When assessing a patient with schizophrenia who exhibits flat affect and social withdrawal, these symptoms are classified as:
- A. Positive symptoms
- B. Negative symptoms
- C. Cognitive symptoms
- D. Mood symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flat affect and social withdrawal are characteristic of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Negative symptoms involve disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors, such as reduced emotional expression (flat affect) and social withdrawal. These symptoms reflect a decrease or absence of normal functions. Positive symptoms, on the other hand, involve the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences, such as hallucinations and delusions, which are added to a person's experiences. Cognitive symptoms relate to difficulties with thinking, memory, and processing information, impacting cognition. Mood symptoms involve disturbances in mood regulation, which is distinct from the flat affect seen in negative symptoms.
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During a panic attack, what is the nurse's priority intervention for a patient with panic disorder?
- A. Encourage the patient to verbalize their feelings.
- B. Provide reassurance and stay with the patient.
- C. Leave the patient alone to calm down.
- D. Distract the patient with a task.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a panic attack, the priority intervention for the nurse is to provide reassurance and stay with the patient. This action helps reduce fear and provides a sense of safety, which can aid in calming the patient and preventing further escalation of the panic attack. Encouraging the patient to verbalize their feelings (Choice A) may be beneficial after the acute phase of the panic attack. Leaving the patient alone (Choice C) may increase feelings of abandonment and escalate the panic attack. Distracting the patient with a task (Choice D) is not recommended during a panic attack as it may divert attention but not address the underlying anxiety and fear.
What information should the nurse provide in patient education for a patient prescribed sertraline for major depressive disorder?
- A. Take the medication with food.
- B. It may take several weeks to feel the full effect.
- C. Avoid consuming grapefruit while taking this medication.
- D. Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor levels.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients prescribed sertraline for major depressive disorder should be educated that it may take several weeks before experiencing the full therapeutic effects of the medication. This delay in onset of action is common with antidepressants like sertraline, and patients need to be aware of this to manage their expectations and continue with the treatment regimen. It's important for the patient to understand that consistent adherence to the prescribed dosage is crucial, even if the full effects are not immediately apparent. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because taking the medication with food, avoiding grapefruit, and regular blood tests are not specific education points related to the expected timeframe for therapeutic effects of sertraline.
Which therapeutic approach is considered most effective for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- A. Cognitive processing therapy
- B. Psychoanalysis
- C. Medication management
- D. Group therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cognitive processing therapy is a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been shown to be highly effective in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This therapy focuses on helping individuals process and make sense of their traumatic experiences, leading to symptom reduction and improved coping mechanisms. Psychoanalysis, medication management, and group therapy can be beneficial in some cases, but cognitive processing therapy is specifically tailored for addressing the symptoms and underlying causes of PTSD. Psychoanalysis may not be as effective for PTSD due to its focus on unconscious conflicts rather than trauma processing. Medication management can be useful as an adjunct to therapy but does not address the core issues of PTSD. Group therapy can provide support but may not offer the individualized approach that cognitive processing therapy provides.
A patient with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prescribed prazosin. The nurse understands that this medication is used to treat which symptom of PTSD?
- A. Flashbacks
- B. Nightmares
- C. Hypervigilance
- D. Depression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prazosin is a medication often prescribed to manage nightmares in patients with PTSD. It works by blocking the action of adrenaline on specific receptors, which helps in reducing the intensity and frequency of nightmares. While flashbacks, hypervigilance, and depression are also common symptoms of PTSD, prazosin is specifically indicated for nightmares associated with the disorder. Flashbacks are typically addressed through therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypervigilance may be managed through counseling and coping strategies, and depression may necessitate antidepressant medications or therapy tailored for depression.
For a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who spends several hours a day washing her hands, which type of therapy is most appropriate?
- A. Exposure and response prevention
- B. Dialectical behavior therapy
- C. Family therapy
- D. Interpersonal therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the most appropriate therapy for managing OCD. ERP involves exposing the patient to anxiety-provoking stimuli (such as touching dirty objects) and preventing the compulsive response (hand washing), thus helping the patient learn to tolerate the anxiety without performing the ritualistic behavior. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses more on emotional regulation and interpersonal skills, making it less suitable for directly addressing OCD symptoms. Family therapy and interpersonal therapy may be beneficial for other conditions or relationship issues but are not specifically designed to target OCD symptoms like ERP.