Nursing Elites

1. After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school nurse for permission to work in the school cafeteria as part of the school’s work-study program. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office.
• B. Suggest that the student work in the athletic department.
• C. Refer the student to a psychiatrist for further discussion.
• D. Determine the parents' opinion of the work assignment.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Clients with anorexia are often fixated on food and exercise, which can exacerbate their condition. By recommending assignment to the receptionist's office, the nurse provides an environment that minimizes exposure to food-related triggers. Working in the cafeteria may intensify the student's preoccupation with food, making it an unsuitable choice. Referring the student to a psychiatrist without exploring less triggering work options first may not be necessary. Determining the parents' opinion is important, but in this context, the focus should be on selecting a work environment that supports the student's recovery.

2. A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is starting desensitization therapy with the therapist, and the nurse is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's plan of care?

• A. Encourage the substitution of positive thoughts for negative ones.
• B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
• C. Gradually expose the client to larger crowds.
• D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Establishing trust by providing a calm and safe environment is crucial for the success of desensitization therapy in clients with agoraphobia. This approach helps the client feel safe and secure, allowing them to gradually confront their fear of crowds. Encouraging positive thoughts (choice A) is beneficial but not as immediately critical as creating a safe space. Progressively exposing the client to larger crowds (choice C) should occur after trust is established and in a controlled manner. Encouraging deep breathing (choice D) is helpful, but creating a safe environment takes precedence to build a foundation for successful desensitization.

3. When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a homeless male at a community psychiatric clinic, the client tells the nurse that he usually takes a different dosage. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next healthcare team meeting.
• B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
• C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document whether or not he takes it.
• D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Withholding the medication until the dosage can be confirmed ensures patient safety and accuracy in treatment.

4. The nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia and is exhibiting symptoms of paranoia. Which behavior would the nurse most likely observe?

• A. The client is seen as unmotivated and withdrawn.
• B. The client is preoccupied with a fear of being harmed.
• C. The client displays a blunted affect and lacks emotional response.
• D. The client avoids group activities and shows decreased appetite.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In clients with paranoia, they typically exhibit an intense fear of being harmed, persecuted, or targeted by others. This fear often dominates their thoughts and can significantly impact their daily functioning and interactions. Choice A, being unmotivated and withdrawn, is more indicative of negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as avolition and social withdrawal. Choice C, displaying a blunted affect and lacking emotional response, is associated with flat affect, a symptom commonly seen in schizophrenia but not specific to paranoia. Choice D, avoiding group activities and showing decreased appetite, may be related to various symptoms or side effects, but it is not a defining characteristic of paranoia in schizophrenia.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing to provide medication education to a client who has just been prescribed an antipsychotic medication. What should the healthcare professional include in the teaching plan?

• A. “You should have regular eye exams.”
• B. “It is important to avoid caffeine while on this medication.”
• C. “You may experience dry mouth and blurred vision.”
• D. “You should increase your intake of vitamin C to prevent side effects.”

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Antipsychotic medications often have anticholinergic side effects like dry mouth and blurred vision. Teaching the client about these potential side effects is essential for their understanding and management. Regular eye exams (Choice A) are not specifically related to antipsychotic medications. While avoiding caffeine (Choice B) might be a general good practice, it is not a specific side effect of antipsychotic medications. Increasing vitamin C intake (Choice D) is not a standard recommendation for preventing antipsychotic medication side effects.

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