Which symptom is most indicative of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- A. Persistent low mood
- B. Frequent nightmares
- C. Hallucinations
- D. Compulsive behaviors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent nightmares are a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with PTSD often experience intrusive and distressing nightmares related to the traumatic event they have experienced. These nightmares can contribute to sleep disturbances and further exacerbate the individual's overall psychological distress. Persistent low mood, hallucinations, and compulsive behaviors are not specific symptoms of PTSD and are more commonly associated with other mental health conditions such as depression, psychotic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder respectively.
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A patient diagnosed with panic disorder asks the nurse about the purpose of deep breathing exercises. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?
- A. Deep breathing helps distract you from your anxiety.
- B. Deep breathing can prevent future panic attacks.
- C. Deep breathing helps reduce physical symptoms of anxiety.
- D. Deep breathing increases your overall lung capacity.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
What is the most effective initial intervention for a patient experiencing a panic attack?
- A. Encourage the patient to discuss their feelings.
- B. Provide a quiet environment and stay with the patient.
- C. Administer prescribed medication immediately.
- D. Teach the patient relaxation techniques.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a panic attack, the most effective initial intervention is to provide a quiet environment and stay with the patient. This approach can help the patient feel safe and supported, which may help reduce the intensity and duration of the panic attack. Encouraging the patient to discuss their feelings may not be helpful during the acute phase of a panic attack as it can be overwhelming. Administering prescribed medication immediately is not typically the first-line intervention for panic attacks. Teaching relaxation techniques is beneficial in the long term but may not be the most effective immediate intervention during a panic attack.
Which individual is likely experiencing symptoms of derealization?
- A. I just feel like I'm looking at life through a fog and that can't be my face in the mirror.
- B. I cannot recall why I'm living in this town or how I got here.
- C. There are just too many people living in my head now.
- D. I feel like I'm going to die, I'm having a heart attack.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The individual describing feeling like they are looking at life through a fog and questioning their reflection in the mirror is likely experiencing symptoms of derealization. Derealization involves feelings of detachment from one's surroundings, which can manifest as a sense of unreality or distortion of the environment. Choice B describes dissociative amnesia, which involves memory loss related to personal information or traumatic events. Choice C suggests dissociative identity disorder (DID), where a person experiences two or more distinct identities or personality states. Choice D indicates symptoms of a panic attack, such as fearing imminent death and physical sensations like a heart attack.
Which therapeutic intervention is most appropriate for a patient diagnosed with dissociative amnesia?
- A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- B. Hypnotherapy
- C. Electroconvulsive therapy
- D. Pharmacotherapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypnotherapy is the most appropriate therapeutic intervention for a patient diagnosed with dissociative amnesia. This approach aims to help the patient recover lost memories in a controlled environment, allowing them to process and integrate their memories effectively. Hypnotherapy can assist in uncovering and addressing the underlying issues contributing to dissociative amnesia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking or behavior and may not directly address memory recovery. Electroconvulsive therapy is typically used for severe depression or certain mental disorders, not dissociative amnesia. Pharmacotherapy involves medication and is not the primary intervention for dissociative amnesia.
Which intervention should a healthcare professional implement to help a patient with social anxiety disorder?
- A. Encourage participation in group therapy sessions.
- B. Suggest practicing relaxation techniques during social interactions.
- C. Advise the patient to avoid social situations that cause anxiety.
- D. Teach the patient cognitive restructuring techniques.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Teaching cognitive restructuring techniques is an effective intervention for patients with social anxiety disorder. This approach helps individuals challenge and change their negative thought patterns, leading to improved coping mechanisms in social situations. Choice A, encouraging participation in group therapy sessions, may be overwhelming for individuals with social anxiety. Choice B, suggesting relaxation techniques, may offer short-term relief but does not address the underlying cognitive distortions. Choice C, advising avoidance of social situations, reinforces avoidance behaviors and does not promote long-term improvement in managing social anxiety.