Which of the following mental health situations is considered a psychiatric emergency?
- A. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- B. Depression with melancholic features
- C. Major depressive episode with psychotic features
- D. Bipolar depression
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A major depressive episode with psychotic features is considered a psychiatric emergency because it poses a significant risk to the individual's safety. Psychotic features in depression can include hallucinations, delusions, or other severe symptoms that require immediate intervention. While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression with melancholic features are serious conditions, they do not inherently represent an acute emergency that necessitates immediate hospitalization. Bipolar depression, although severe, does not inherently involve psychotic symptoms that would classify it as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention. It's crucial to recognize the urgency and severity of major depressive episodes with psychotic features to ensure appropriate and timely treatment.
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Based on the nursing diagnosis of risk for infection, which intervention is best for the nurse to implement when providing care for an older incontinent client?
- A. Maintain standard precautions.
- B. Initiate contact isolation measures.
- C. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
- D. Instruct the client in the use of adult diapers.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct intervention for a nursing diagnosis of risk for infection in an older incontinent client is to maintain standard precautions. The best way to reduce the risk of infection in vulnerable clients is through proper handwashing and adherence to standard precautions. Option B, initiating contact isolation measures, is excessive unless the client has a confirmed infection requiring isolation. Option C, inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, actually increases the risk of infection due to the introduction of a foreign body. Option D, instructing the client in the use of adult diapers, does not directly address the risk of infection and is not as effective as maintaining standard precautions in preventing infection transmission.
Which of the following is an appropriate tension-reduction intervention for a patient who may be escalating toward aggressive behavior?
- A. Asking to speak to someone
- B. Asking to be alone
- C. Listening to music
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All of the above interventions are appropriate tension-reduction techniques for a patient in the ICU. When a patient is escalating toward aggressive behavior, it is crucial to have a range of strategies to help de-escalate the situation. Asking to speak to someone can provide emotional support and an outlet for communication. Asking to be alone can help the patient have space and time to calm down. Listening to music can be soothing and distracting. These interventions, along with additional ones like walking the hallway, watching television, writing in a journal, or requesting a PRN medication, can be helpful. It is essential to involve the patient in developing the care plan to identify triggers and effective tension-reduction techniques. Patients in escalation may not always recognize the need for intervention, so staff must be observant and offer personalized techniques to address the situation effectively.
During the evacuation of a group of clients from a medical unit due to a fire, the nurse observes an ambulatory client walking alone toward the stairway at the end of the hall. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Assign an unlicensed assistive person to transport the client via a wheelchair.
- B. Remind the client to walk carefully down the stairs until reaching a lower floor.
- C. Ask the client to help by assisting a wheelchair-bound client to a nearby elevator.
- D. Open the closest fire doors so that ambulatory clients can evacuate more rapidly.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the evacuation of a unit due to a fire, ambulatory clients should be evacuated via the stairway if possible and reminded to walk carefully to ensure their safety. They do not necessarily require assistance via a wheelchair. Elevators should not be used during a fire evacuation as they can pose a risk, and fire doors should be kept closed to contain the fire and smoke, preventing its spread to other areas of the building. Therefore, reminding the client to walk carefully down the stairs is the most appropriate action in this situation. Assigning an unlicensed assistive person to transport the client via a wheelchair may delay the evacuation process and put both individuals at risk. Asking the client to help by assisting a wheelchair-bound client to an elevator is not safe during a fire evacuation. Opening fire doors indiscriminately can lead to the spread of fire and smoke, endangering the clients and staff further.
After informing an older client that an IV line needs to be inserted, the client becomes very apprehensive, loudly verbalizing a dislike for all healthcare providers and nurses. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Ask the client to remain quiet so the procedure can be performed safely.
- B. Concentrate on completing the insertion as efficiently as possible.
- C. Calmly reassure the client that the discomfort will be temporary.
- D. Tell the client a joke as a means of distraction from the procedure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should respond with a calm demeanor to help reduce the client's apprehension. By calmly reassuring the client that the discomfort from the procedure will be temporary, the nurse acknowledges the client's feelings and provides comfort. This response shows empathy and understanding, which can help build trust. Asking the client to remain quiet may escalate the situation and not address the client's underlying concerns. Concentrating solely on completing the insertion efficiently may overlook the client's emotional needs and may increase their anxiety. Telling a joke may not be appropriate in this serious situation and could be perceived as insensitive, failing to address the client's emotional distress effectively.
After receiving written and verbal instructions from a clinic nurse about a newly prescribed medication, a client asks the nurse what to do if questions arise about the medication after getting home. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Provide the client with a list of reliable internet sites that offer information on medications.
- B. Advise the client to obtain a current edition of a drug reference book from a local bookstore or library.
- C. Reassure the client that information about the medication is included in the written instructions.
- D. Encourage the client to call the clinic nurse or healthcare provider if any questions arise.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To ensure safe medication use, the nurse should encourage the client to call the clinic nurse or healthcare provider if any questions arise. This direct communication allows for personalized assistance and clarification tailored to the client's specific concerns. Providing Internet sites (Choice A) may lead to unreliable information, and a drug reference book (Choice B) may not address individualized questions. While the written instructions may contain information (Choice C), they may not cover all potential queries the client might have, making direct contact with the healthcare provider the most appropriate option.