Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques that a healthcare professional can use when interacting with clients? Select one that doesn't apply.
- A. Using silence
- B. Offering self
- C. Giving advice
- D. Providing reassurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques aim to promote understanding and trust between the professional and the client. Using silence allows the client to process thoughts, feelings, and information. Offering self involves making oneself available and showing empathy. Providing reassurance helps instill confidence. However, giving advice can sometimes be non-therapeutic as it may undermine the client's autonomy and decision-making process.
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During a mental status examination, which of the following components should be included in the assessment? Select one that doesn't apply.
- A. Appearance and behavior
- B. Thought processes
- C. Mood and affect
- D. The greater the cultural distance from the mainstream of society, the greater the likelihood that the illness will be treated with sensitivity and compassion.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: During a mental status examination, key components to be assessed include the client's appearance and behavior, thought processes, mood and affect, and cognitive function. These components help in evaluating the client's mental health status. The statement about cultural distance and illness treatment is not a part of a mental status examination and is not relevant to the assessment of mental health. Choices A, B, and C are essential components of a mental status examination and contribute to a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's mental well-being.
Which medication is commonly prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
- A. Haloperidol
- B. Fluoxetine
- C. Methylphenidate
- D. Clozapine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication commonly prescribed to manage symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain to improve focus, attention span, and impulse control. Haloperidol, fluoxetine, and clozapine are not typically used as first-line treatments for ADHD. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, fluoxetine is an antidepressant, and clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic, each with different mechanisms of action and primary indications.
Devastated by a divorce from an abusive husband, a wife completes grief counseling. Which statement by the wife should indicate to a nurse that the client is in the acceptance stage of grief?
- A. If only we could have tried again, things might have worked out.
- B. I am so mad that the children and I had to put up with him as long as we did.
- C. Yes, it was a difficult relationship, but I think I have learned from the experience.
- D. I still don't have any appetite and continue to lose weight.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that the client is in the acceptance stage of grief based on the statement 'Yes, it was a difficult relationship, but I think I have learned from the experience.' In this statement, the client is acknowledging the difficulty of the relationship but also expressing personal growth and learning from the experience, indicating acceptance. Choices A, B, and D do not reflect the acceptance stage of grief. Choice A shows a sense of regret and a wish for things to have turned out differently. Choice B demonstrates lingering anger towards the ex-husband. Choice D suggests ongoing physical manifestations of grief like loss of appetite and weight loss, which are more indicative of earlier stages of grief.
A client has experienced the death of a close family member and at the same time becomes unemployed. This situation has resulted in a 6-month score of 110 on the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire. How should the nurse evaluate this client data?
- A. The client is experiencing severe distress and is at risk for physical and psychological illness.
- B. A score of 110 on the Miller and Rahe Recent Life Changes Questionnaire indicates no significant threat of stress-related illness.
- C. Susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be estimated without knowledge of coping resources and available supports.
- D. The client may view these losses as challenges and perceive them as opportunities.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire is an expanded version of the Schedule of Recent Experiences and the Rahe-Holmes Social Readjustment Rating Scale. A 6-month score of 300 or more, or a year-score total of 500 or more, indicates high stress in a client's life. However, susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be accurately estimated without considering the individual's coping resources and available support systems. Positive coping mechanisms and strong social support can mitigate the risk of stress-related illnesses even in the face of significant life changes and losses. Choice A is incorrect because it makes a definitive statement about the client's state without considering individual coping mechanisms and support. Choice B is incorrect because a score of 110 does not necessarily mean no threat of stress-related illness, as individual factors play a crucial role. Choice D is incorrect as it assumes a positive outlook without acknowledging the potential impact of the experienced losses on stress levels.
In the treatment of a patient with bipolar disorder experiencing a depressive episode, which medication is commonly prescribed?
- A. Valproic acid
- B. Risperidone
- C. Fluoxetine
- D. Lithium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Fluoxetine. Fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, is used to manage depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. It helps alleviate symptoms of depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of sadness and hopelessness. While mood stabilizers like lithium are often used in bipolar disorder, for depressive episodes, antidepressants like fluoxetine are preferred to address the specific symptoms associated with depression. Valproic acid is a mood stabilizer often used in bipolar disorder to manage manic episodes. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that may be used in bipolar disorder to help control manic episodes or as an adjunctive treatment, but it is not a first-line medication for depressive episodes.