Which of the following statements about mental health assessment is true?
- A. The mental health assessment diagnoses specific psychiatric disorders.
- B. Mental disorders occur in response to everyday life stressors.
- C. Mental status is inferred through assessment of an individual's behaviours.
- D. Mental health can be assessed directly, just like the characteristics of any other body system (e.g., cardiac and breath sounds).
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because mental status is indeed inferred through assessment of an individual's behaviors. Mental health assessment involves observing and evaluating a person's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall mental functioning to determine their mental status. This includes assessing speech, mood, cognition, and perception. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because:
A: Mental health assessment does not solely focus on diagnosing specific psychiatric disorders; it is a broader evaluation of an individual's mental well-being.
B: Mental disorders can result from a variety of factors beyond everyday life stressors, such as genetic predisposition or traumatic experiences.
D: Mental health assessment is more complex than assessing physical characteristics and involves subjective interpretation of behaviors rather than direct observation like physical assessments.
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Expert nurses learn to attend to a pattern of assessment data and act without consciously labelling it. This is referred to as:
- A. intuition.
- B. the nursing process.
- C. clinical knowledge.
- D. diagnostic reasoning.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: intuition. Expert nurses develop intuition through years of experience, allowing them to recognize patterns in assessment data and act quickly without conscious labeling. This intuitive response is based on a deep understanding of situations and is often more efficient than consciously going through the nursing process. Clinical knowledge (C) is important but refers to theoretical understanding. The nursing process (B) involves systematic steps in patient care, not the automatic response seen in intuition. Diagnostic reasoning (D) involves a more deliberate thought process in identifying and treating health issues.
Which of the following is the appropriate health promotion question to ask during a review of symptoms?
- A. "Do you use sunscreen while outside?"
- B. "I need to see if your skin is warm and dry."
- C. "Have you experienced any dizziness or headaches?"
- D. "When you cough, what colour is the sputum you bring up?"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Do you use sunscreen while outside?" because it directly relates to health promotion by addressing preventive measures. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and other skin conditions. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on assessing skin condition rather than promoting health. Choice C is incorrect as it relates to symptoms rather than prevention. Choice D is incorrect as it is related to assessing a specific symptom rather than promoting overall health.
A patient with diabetes is experiencing a hypoglycemic episode. Which of the following is the nurse's first priority in this situation?
- A. Administering insulin.
- B. Providing a source of fast-acting carbohydrate.
- C. Checking the patient's blood glucose level.
- D. Contacting the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Providing a source of fast-acting carbohydrate. In a hypoglycemic episode, the priority is to raise the blood sugar quickly to prevent further complications. Fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or orange juice can rapidly increase blood sugar levels. Administering insulin (choice A) can further lower blood sugar, checking blood glucose levels (choice C) may delay treatment, and contacting the healthcare provider (choice D) is not necessary in the immediate management of hypoglycemia.
The interview portion of data collection obtains:
- A. Physical data.
- B. Historical data.
- C. Objective data.
- D. Subjective data.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Subjective data. During the interview portion of data collection, subjective data is obtained as it involves personal opinions, feelings, and experiences shared by the interviewee. This data is based on individual perspectives and cannot be measured objectively. Physical data (A) refers to tangible measurements, historical data (B) relates to past events or records, and objective data (C) is based on observable and measurable facts. In contrast, subjective data (D) captures the interviewee's viewpoints and interpretations, making it the most appropriate choice for the given scenario.
A patient tells the nurse that he is allergic to penicillin. Which of the following would be the nurse's best response to this information?
- A. "Are you allergic to any other drugs?"
- B. "How often have you received penicillin?"
- C. "I'll record your allergy information on your chart, so you won't receive any."
- D. "Please describe what happens to you when you take penicillin."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: "Please describe what happens to you when you take penicillin." This response allows the nurse to gather detailed information about the patient's allergic reaction to penicillin, which is crucial for assessing the severity of the allergy and determining appropriate treatment options. By understanding the specific symptoms experienced by the patient, the nurse can help prevent potential adverse reactions in the future.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because:
A: This question does not address the immediate concern of the patient's penicillin allergy and does not help in understanding the nature of the allergic reaction.
B: The frequency of penicillin usage is not as relevant as understanding the nature and severity of the allergic reaction.
C: While recording allergy information is important, it does not address the need for understanding the patient's specific allergic response to penicillin.
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