Nursing Elites

1. A patient with panic disorder is prescribed alprazolam. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?

• A. Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you.
• B. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
• C. Take the medication at bedtime to help with sleep.
• D. Increase the dose if you do not feel better in a few days.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important instruction for a patient prescribed alprazolam is to avoid driving until they know how the medication affects them. Alprazolam can cause drowsiness and impaired coordination, which may affect the ability to drive safely. This caution is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the patient and others on the road.

2. Which therapeutic communication statement might a healthcare professional use when a patient’s nursing diagnosis is altered thought processes?

• A. I know you mention hearing voices, but I cannot hear them.
• B. Stop listening to the voices, they are NOT real.
• C. You say you hear voices, what are they telling you?
• D. Please ask the voices to leave you alone for now.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the most appropriate therapeutic communication statement in this scenario. By asking the patient what the voices are telling them, the healthcare professional encourages the patient to express their thoughts and feelings, aiding in understanding their altered thought processes. This approach can help establish a therapeutic relationship and provide valuable insight into the patient's experiences.

3. What must be considered when preparing the teaching plan for a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is being prescribed lithium therapy?

• A. Caffeine and alcohol can affect lithium levels.
• B. Lithium should be taken with meals to avoid gastrointestinal distress.
• C. Regular blood tests are required to monitor lithium levels.
• D. Lithium can cause weight gain.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When preparing a teaching plan for a patient prescribed lithium therapy for bipolar disorder, it is crucial to emphasize the need for regular blood tests to monitor lithium levels. Monitoring levels is essential to ensure the drug's effectiveness and to manage potential side effects. While factors like caffeine and alcohol intake, taking lithium with meals, and the risk of weight gain may be relevant considerations, the primary focus should be on the necessity of regular blood tests for effective management of lithium therapy. Therefore, option C is the correct choice as it addresses a critical aspect of lithium therapy management.

4. A patient with major depressive disorder has been prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. I should take my medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
• B. I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
• C. I can stop taking my medication once I feel better.
• D. I might experience some improvement in mood within a few weeks.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the correct answer. It is crucial for patients to understand that they should not stop taking their medication once they feel better. Discontinuing antidepressants abruptly can lead to a relapse of depressive symptoms. Patients should continue taking their medication as prescribed by their healthcare provider, even if they start feeling better, to ensure the best outcomes in managing major depressive disorder. Choices A, B, and D are all accurate statements. Taking medication with food can help reduce stomach upset, avoiding alcohol is essential while on sertraline to prevent interactions, and experiencing some improvement in mood within a few weeks is a common expectation when starting an antidepressant like sertraline.

5. When caring for a client with anorexia nervosa, which of the following examples demonstrates the nurse’s use of interpersonal communication?

• A. The nurse discusses the client’s weight loss during a health care team meeting
• B. The nurse examines their own personal feelings about clients with anorexia nervosa
• C. The nurse asks the client about their personal body image perception
• D. The nurse presents an educational session about anorexia nervosa to a large group of adolescents

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Interpersonal communication involves engaging in a conversation where the nurse asks the client about their personal body image perception. This demonstrates a direct interaction aimed at understanding the client's feelings and thoughts, which is essential in providing holistic care to individuals with anorexia nervosa. Choices A, B, and D do not directly involve the nurse-client interaction that characterizes interpersonal communication. A is more related to team communication, B focuses on the nurse's personal reflection, and D pertains to delivering educational content to a group rather than engaging in a one-on-one conversation with a client.

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