Nursing Elites

1. The LPN/LVN is assessing a client's intelligence. Which factor should the nurse remember during this part of the mental status exam?

• A. Acute psychiatric illnesses impair intelligence.
• B. Intelligence is influenced by social and cultural factors.
• C. Poor concentration skills suggest limited intelligence.
• D. The inability to think abstractly indicates limited intelligence.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because intelligence is influenced by social and cultural factors. Social and cultural beliefs can impact how intelligence is perceived and expressed. Choice A is incorrect because acute psychiatric illnesses can affect cognitive functioning but not necessarily intelligence. Choice C is incorrect because poor concentration skills do not always correlate with limited intelligence. Choice D is incorrect because the inability to think abstractly is just one aspect of intelligence and does not solely indicate limited intelligence.

2. 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.

3. An anxious client expressing a fear of people and open places is admitted to the psychiatric unit. What is the most effective way for the nurse to assist this client?

• A. Plan an outing within the second week of admission.
• B. Distract the client whenever they express discomfort about being with others.
• C. Confront the client's fears and discuss the possible causes of these fears.
• D. Accompany the client outside for an increasing amount of time each day.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most effective way to assist a client with a fear of people and open places is through gradual desensitization by controlled exposure to the situation which is feared (D). This method helps the client confront their fears in a safe and supportive manner, allowing them to gradually build confidence and reduce anxiety. Planning an outing within the second week of admission (A) may be too soon and overwhelming for the client. Distracting the client whenever they express discomfort (B) does not address the underlying issue and may promote denial. Confronting the client's fears and discussing possible causes (C) could be too aggressive initially and may not be well-tolerated by the client.

4. A nurse is assessing a client with dementia who is showing signs of increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon. What is the most likely explanation for the client's symptoms?

• A. Anxiety
• B. Depression
• C. Sun-downing syndrome
• D. Medication side effects

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sun-downing syndrome. Sun-downing syndrome is a phenomenon commonly seen in individuals with dementia, where they exhibit increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening. This pattern of behavior is believed to be linked to disruptions in the circadian rhythm and can be triggered by factors such as fatigue, low lighting, or increased shadows during the evening. Choices A and B, anxiety and depression, may be comorbid conditions in individuals with dementia but are not the primary explanation for the symptoms described. While medication side effects (Choice D) should always be considered in a client with dementia, given the time-specific nature of the symptoms, sun-downing syndrome is the most likely explanation in this case.

5. The RN documents the mental status of a female client who has been hospitalized for several days by court order. The client states 'I don't need to be here,' and tells the RN that she believes that the TV talks to her. The RN should document these assessment statements in which section of the mental status exam?

• A. Insight and judgment.
• B. Mood and affect.
• C. Remote memory.
• D. Level of concentration.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Insight and judgment. The client's statements indicate her lack of insight into her need for hospitalization ('I don't need to be here') and the presence of a delusion (believing that the TV talks to her). These statements reflect the client's insight into her condition and judgment. This information is crucial for assessing the client's understanding of her situation and decision-making capacity. Choice B, Mood and affect, focuses on the client's emotional state rather than her insight and judgment. Choice C, Remote memory, pertains to the ability to recall past events, which is not the primary focus of the client's statements. Choice D, Level of concentration, is not directly related to the client's statements about her need for hospitalization and the delusional belief about the TV.

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