Nursing Elites

1. Which defense mechanism is considered a conscious measure used to cope with anxiety?

• A. Undoing
• B. Projection
• C. Suppression
• D. Intellectualization

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Suppression. Suppression is a conscious defense mechanism in which an individual intentionally avoids thinking about disturbing problems, wishes, feelings, or experiences. It is a way to cope with anxiety by actively pushing aside unwanted thoughts or emotions. Undoing, on the other hand, is an unconscious defense mechanism where one uses words or behaviors to symbolically make amends for unacceptable thoughts or actions. Projection is also an unconscious defense mechanism involving falsely attributing one's own unacceptable impulses to others. Intellectualization, another unconscious defense mechanism, involves using intellect or thinking to avoid dealing with emotionally charged feelings.

2. Which action often triggers an episode of violence or aggression in a patient with a psychiatric diagnosis involving violent behavior?

• A. Obtaining a history
• B. Asking for input into care
• C. Enforcing rules
• D. Taking a walk

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Enforcing rules is often a trigger for patients with psychiatric diagnoses involving violent behavior. Limit-setting or denying patient demands can be perceived as control and intimidation, leading to aggressive responses. Nursing staff must respond calmly and professionally to prevent escalation. Avoiding such patients or matching their emotions can worsen the situation. Therefore, enforcing rules can provoke violent episodes in these patients.

3. Which intervention should the nurse use for a client who hallucinates, yells, and curses throughout the day?

• A. Ignore the client's behavior if the client is not harming anyone.
• B. Isolate the client until the behavior decreases or stops.
• C. Explain how the behavior affects other people on the unit.
• D. Seek to understand what the behavior means to the client.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a client experiences hallucinations, yells, and curses, it is essential to seek to understand the underlying meaning of their behavior. All behavior has significance, and understanding the client's perspective can guide appropriate interventions. Ignoring the behavior may exacerbate the situation and isolating the client could lead to increased anxiety and further acting out. Explaining the impact on others is not helpful in this scenario as the client is not intentionally hallucinating; yelling and cursing are responses to the hallucinations.

4. While communicating with a client, the nurse determines that the client has realized the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and plans to stop drinking within 6 months. Which stage of the transtheoretical model of change would the nurse correlate the client's behavior with?

• A. Action
• B. Preparation
• C. Maintenance
• D. Contemplation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The transtheoretical model of change defines changing patterns in individuals across five stages based on their readiness to change. The stages are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. In the contemplation stage, the client acknowledges the benefits of change and considers making the change within the next 6 months. This aligns with the client's realization of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and intent to stop drinking within 6 months. The action stage involves actively making changes, the preparation stage includes goal-setting with an intention to change within 60 days, and the maintenance stage focuses on sustaining changed behavior for at least 6 months and taking preventive measures to avoid relapse. Therefore, in this scenario, the client's behavior aligns with the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model of change.

5. The nurse is performing an admission assessment for a non-English speaking patient who is from China. Which actions could the nurse take to enhance communication (select one that does not apply)?

• A. Use an electronic translation application.
• B. Use a telephone-based medical interpreter.
• C. Wait until an agency interpreter is available.
• D. Ask the patient's teenage daughter to interpret.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Electronic translation applications, telephone-based medical interpreters, and agency interpreters are all appropriate tools to enhance communication with non-English-speaking patients. However, asking the patient's teenage daughter to interpret is not recommended due to potential misinterpretation of crucial information during the admission assessment. While family members may be considered in the absence of a professional interpreter, there is a risk of misunderstanding or lack of sharing essential details. It is important to rely on trained interpreters to ensure accurate communication and avoid miscommunication or misinterpretation of critical information. Using gestures can be helpful, but over-exaggeration of gestures is unnecessary and may lead to confusion.

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