Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is providing medication education to a patient who has been prescribed lithium to stabilize mood. Which early signs and symptoms of toxicity should the healthcare provider stress to the patient? Select one that does not apply.

• A. Increased attentiveness
• B. Getting up at night to urinate
• C. Improved vision
• D. An upset stomach for no apparent reason

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include gastrointestinal upset, tremors, increased urination, and increased thirst. Improved vision is not a typical early sign of lithium toxicity and should be ruled out as a symptom to watch for.

2. How do epidemiological studies contribute to improvements in care for individuals with mental disorders?

• A. Providing information about effective nursing techniques.
• B. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of a disorder.
• C. Identifying individuals in the general population who will develop a specific disorder.
• D. Identifying which individuals will respond favorably to a specific treatment.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Epidemiological studies play a crucial role in identifying risk factors associated with the development of mental disorders. By pinpointing these risk factors, healthcare providers can implement preventive measures and develop more effective treatments, ultimately leading to improved care for individuals with mental disorders.

3. A client has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and a nurse is providing care. Which intervention should the nurse implement to promote the client's safety?

• A. Implement a no-harm contract with the client.
• B. Monitor the client closely for signs of self-harm.
• C. Encourage the client to participate in recreational activities.
• D. Encourage the client to maintain a structured daily routine.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Implementing a no-harm contract is a crucial intervention for clients with borderline personality disorder as it helps establish an agreement between the client and the healthcare provider to abstain from self-harming behaviors. This contract aims to promote the client's safety by enhancing awareness and providing a structured approach in managing impulses and emotions.

4. Devastated by a divorce from an abusive husband, a wife completes grief counseling. Which statement by the wife should indicate to a nurse that the client is in the acceptance stage of grief?

• A. If only we could have tried again, things might have worked out.
• B. I am so mad that the children and I had to put up with him as long as we did.
• C. Yes, it was a difficult relationship, but I think I have learned from the experience.
• D. I still don't have any appetite and continue to lose weight.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should recognize that the client is in the acceptance stage of grief based on the statement 'Yes, it was a difficult relationship, but I think I have learned from the experience.' In this statement, the client is acknowledging the difficulty of the relationship but also expressing personal growth and learning from the experience, indicating acceptance. Choices A, B, and D do not reflect the acceptance stage of grief. Choice A shows a sense of regret and a wish for things to have turned out differently. Choice B demonstrates lingering anger towards the ex-husband. Choice D suggests ongoing physical manifestations of grief like loss of appetite and weight loss, which are more indicative of earlier stages of grief.

5. Ted, a former executive, is now unemployed due to manic episodes at work. He was diagnosed with bipolar I 8 years ago. Ted has a history of IV drug abuse, which resulted in hepatitis C. He is taking his lithium exactly as scheduled, a fact that both Ted's wife and his blood tests confirm. To reduce Ted's mania, the psychiatric nurse practitioner recommends:

• A. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• B. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• C. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• D. Lurasidone (Latuda)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be an effective treatment for reducing mania in patients with bipolar disorder who have not responded to medication. In Ted's case, where he has a history of bipolar I disorder, lithium treatment, and manic episodes, ECT may be recommended by the psychiatric nurse practitioner to help manage his symptoms.

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