ATI LPN
Test Bank for Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 4e 4th Edition
Chapter 4 Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient asks a nurse, 'What are neurotransmitters? My doctor says mine are out of balance.' What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stating that neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain cells gives the most accurate information. Neurotransmitters are messengers in the central nervous system. They are released from the axon terminal, diffuse across the synapse, and attach to specialized receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. The incorrect responses do not answer the patient's question, are demeaning, and provide untrue and misleading information.
Question 2 of 5
The parent of an adolescent diagnosed with schizophrenia asks a nurse, 'My child's doctor ordered a positron-emission tomography (PET) scan. What is that?' What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The parent is seeking information about PET scans. It is important to use terms the parent can understand. The correct option is the only reply that provides factual information relevant to PET scans. The incorrect responses describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomographic (CT) scans, and electroencephalography (EEG).
Question 3 of 5
A patient is demonstrating signs of dementia. The health care provider wants to make a differential diagnosis between Alzheimer's disease and multiple infarctions. Which diagnostic procedure should a nurse expect to prepare the patient for first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A CT scan shows the presence or absence of structural changes, including cortical atrophy, ventricular enlargement, and areas of infarction-information that will be helpful to the health care provider. The other tests focus on brain activity and are more expensive; they may be ordered later.
Question 4 of 5
A patient has delusions and hallucinations. Before beginning treatment with a psychotropic medication, the health care provider wants to rule out the presence of a brain tumor. For which test will a nurse need to prepare the patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A CT scan and an MRI visualize neoplasms and other structural abnormalities. A PET scan, SPECT scan, and fMRI, which give information about brain function, are not indicated. An arteriogram would not be appropriate.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse wants to assess for disturbances in circadian rhythms in a patient admitted for major depressive disorder. Which question best implements this assessment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mood changes throughout the day are related to circadian rhythms. Questions about sleep pattern would also be relevant to circadian rhythms. The question about seeing or hearing things is relevant to the assessment for illusions and hallucinations. The question about thinking is relevant to the assessment of thought processes. The other question is relevant to assessment of memory.