when a client with newly diagnosed chronic bronchitis tells the home health nurse about continuing to smoke 1 or 2 cigarettes a day and not doing the

NCLEX-RN

NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity Questions

1. When a client with newly diagnosed chronic bronchitis tells the home health nurse about continuing to smoke 1 or 2 cigarettes a day and not doing the prescribed pulmonary physiotherapy exercises, which response by the nurse is best?

A. ''Tell me about your typical day before you were diagnosed with chronic lung disease.''
B. ''Smoking and not doing the exercises will make your lung disease continue to get worse.''
C. 'I can't make you stop doing what you are doing, and it's your choice to be sick or well.''
D. ''Your shortness of breath is probably because of your smoking and not doing the exercises.''

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Asking the client to describe a typical day is the best response. More data are needed about the client's usual activities of daily living so that the plan can be adapted to the client's preferences. The statement indicating that smoking and not doing the pulmonary exercises will allow the lung disease to progress is probably not news to the client and does not help in determining factors that might be contributing to nonadherence. The statement that the nurse cannot stop the client's behaviors indicates that the client is to blame and will place the client on the defensive. The statement that the client's dyspnea is caused by smoking and not doing the pulmonary exercises places the client on the defensive and will decrease trust, preventing the nurse from obtaining more information about why the client is nonadherent with the treatment plan.

2. At a senior citizens meeting, a healthcare professional talks with a client who has Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client during the conversation is most predictive of a potential for impaired skin integrity?

A. ''I give myself insulin injections in my thighs.''
B. ''Sometimes when I put my shoes on, I don't know where my toes are.''
C. ''Here are my glucose readings that I noted on my calendar.''
D. ''If I bathe more than once a week, my skin feels too dry.''

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is when the client states, ''Sometimes when I put my shoes on, I don't know where my toes are.'' This statement indicates peripheral neuropathy, which can lead to a lack of sensation in the lower extremities. When clients are unable to feel pressure or pain in their feet, they are at a high risk for skin impairment, such as cuts, wounds, or ulcers. Option A is not directly related to impaired skin integrity, as self-administering insulin in the thighs does not pose a direct risk to skin integrity. Option C shows good glucose monitoring, which is important but does not directly indicate impaired skin integrity. Option D suggests dry skin due to infrequent bathing, which is more related to general skin care and not as predictive of impaired skin integrity as the statement in Option B.

3. When the health care provider diagnoses metastatic cancer and recommends a gastrostomy for an older female client in stable condition, the son tells the nurse that his mother must not be told the reason for the surgery because she 'can't handle' the cancer diagnosis. Which legal principle is the court most likely to uphold regarding this client's right to informed consent?

A. The family cannot provide the consent required in this situation as the older adult is capable of making decisions.
B. The son cannot waive informed consent for the client since there is no evidence of mental incompetence.
C. The court will not allow the health care provider to make the decision to withhold informed consent under therapeutic privilege.
D. If informed consent is withheld from a client, health care providers could be found guilty of negligence.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Health care providers may be found guilty of negligence, specifically assault and battery, if they carry out a treatment without the client's consent. The client's condition is stable, so the family cannot provide consent without her involvement, making option A incorrect. There is no evidence of mental incompetence in the client, so the son cannot waive informed consent, making option B incorrect. While therapeutic privilege may have been accepted in the past, it is unlikely to be upheld by today's courts, making option C incorrect. It is crucial for health care providers to obtain informed consent from clients before proceeding with any treatment to avoid legal consequences and uphold ethical standards.

4. The healthcare provider is aware that malnutrition is a common problem among clients served by a community health clinic for the homeless. Which laboratory value is the most reliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition?

A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency significantly lowers serum albumin levels. Albumin, derived from protein breakdown, is produced by the liver when adequate amino acids are available. Due to its long half-life, acute protein loss minimally affects serum albumin levels. In contrast, serum transferrin, with a shorter half-life of 8 to 10 days, decreases with acute protein deficiency and is not a reliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition. Elevated hemoglobin levels may occur in conditions like dehydration or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, making it an unreliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition. High cholesterol levels are not directly linked to protein malnutrition and do not serve as a reliable indicator. Therefore, the most reliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition among the options provided is a low serum albumin level.

5. Under what patient conditions or situations are restraints sometimes used?

A. As punishment when the patient is uncontrollable
B. To prevent the patient from pulling their IV out
C. When a patient is a danger to self and others
D. Both B and C

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Restraints are sometimes used to prevent a patient from pulling out their IV or another life-saving tube and when the person poses a serious danger to themselves and/or others. Restraints are never used as a form of punishment. Choice A is incorrect because restraints are not utilized for punishment but for patient safety and care. Choice B and C are correct because they reflect the appropriate and necessary situations where restraints may be used in healthcare settings.