Nursing Elites

1. A young adult female client is admitted to a psychiatric facility with a medical diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?

• A. Schedule the client for group therapy with other clients with bulimia nervosa.
• B. Assign the client's care to a nurse with relevant experience in eating disorders.
• C. Monitor the client carefully for binging and purging activities.
• D. Assess and report the client's electrolyte status to the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Assessing and reporting the client's electrolyte status to the healthcare provider is the highest priority in a client with bulimia nervosa. Electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis, are common due to purging behaviors associated with bulimia. Monitoring electrolyte levels is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while therapy and monitoring for binging activities are important, addressing the electrolyte imbalances caused by purging behaviors takes precedence in the immediate care of a client with bulimia nervosa.

2. A LVN/LPN is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa. The nurse is monitoring the behavior of the client and understands that a client with anorexia nervosa manages anxiety by:

• A. Engaging in immoral acts
• B. Always reinforcing self-approval
• C. Observing rigid rules and regulations
• D. Having the need always to make the right decision

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa often manage anxiety by adhering strictly to rules and regulations as a way to maintain control. Choice A is incorrect because engaging in immoral acts is not a common coping mechanism for clients with anorexia nervosa. Choice B is incorrect as self-approval is not typically the primary way clients with anorexia nervosa manage anxiety. Choice D is incorrect because while clients with anorexia nervosa may have a need to make the right decision, it is not the primary way they manage their anxiety.

3. A 19-year-old female client with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa wants to help serve dinner trays to other clients on a psychiatric unit. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Encourage the client's self-motivation by asking her to assist with other activities.
• B. Provide an alternative suggestion for the client to participate in the unit's activities.
• C. Allow the client to serve dinner trays to other clients but monitor closely for any signs of distress.
• D. Explain to the client that she needs to focus on her own recovery and cannot participate in serving dinner trays.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Clients with anorexia should not be allowed to plan or prepare food for unit activities, as this can reinforce their perception of self-control. Allowing the client to serve dinner trays (C) may trigger distress or unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, it is best to provide an alternative suggestion for the client to participate in the unit's activities (B). Encouraging the client to assist with other activities (A) may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors related to food. Explaining to the client that she cannot participate in serving dinner trays (D) without offering an alternative does not address the client's desire to help and may lead to feelings of rejection.

4. A female client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?

• A. I don't hear any voices. They must be in your head.
• B. What are the voices telling you to do?
• C. You need to ignore the voices and focus on reality.
• D. I know the voices are real to you, but I don't hear them.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acknowledging the client's experience while gently presenting reality can help build trust and provide reassurance without reinforcing the hallucination.

5. An LPN/LVN is conducting an initial assessment on a client in crisis. When assessing the client's perception of the precipitating event that led to the crisis, the appropriate question to ask is:

• A. With whom do you live?
• B. Who is available to help you?
• C. What leads you to seek help now?
• D. What do you usually do to feel better?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct question to ask when assessing a client's perception of the precipitating event that led to a crisis is 'What leads you to seek help now?' This question directly addresses the client's current situation and triggers that brought them to seek assistance. Choices A and B are more focused on the client's social support system rather than the root cause of the crisis. Choice D addresses coping mechanisms rather than the actual trigger for seeking help.

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