A 70-year-old male has the nursing diagnosis of situational low self-esteem related to forced retirement. Using Maslow’s hierarchy, the nurse is confident the patient is meeting self-worth outcomes when the patient:

Questions 29

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Kaplan and Sadocks Synopsis of Psychiatry Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

A 70-year-old male has the nursing diagnosis of situational low self-esteem related to forced retirement. Using Maslow’s hierarchy, the nurse is confident the patient is meeting self-worth outcomes when the patient:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because volunteering at the local homeless shelter fulfills the self-actualization need in Maslow's hierarchy. By helping others and contributing to the community, the patient gains a sense of purpose and fulfillment, boosting self-esteem. A: Moving to a secure apartment building addresses safety needs, not self-esteem. B: Exercising with friends promotes social belonging but does not directly address self-esteem. C: Attending grandchildren's functions fosters social connections, but it may not directly impact self-esteem like volunteering does.

Question 2 of 9

An 85-year-old has difficulty walking after a knee replacement. The patient tells the nurse, “It’s awful to be old. Every day is a struggle. No one cares about old people.” Select the nurse’s best response.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it shows empathy and active listening. By encouraging the patient to share their feelings, the nurse validates their emotions and builds a therapeutic relationship. This approach helps the nurse understand the patient's perspective and provides an opportunity for emotional support. Choice A does not actively invite the patient to share their feelings and may come off as dismissive. Choice C ignores the patient's emotional distress and may seem invalidating. Choice D, while positive, fails to address the patient's emotional concerns and misses an opportunity for meaningful communication.

Question 3 of 9

During a grief-processing group, an elderly patient stated, “For the first time since my husband died, I’m having more good days than bad.” This statement suggests that the patient has:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Completed her "grief work" successfully. This statement indicates progress in the grieving process, moving towards acceptance and healing. The patient acknowledging having more good days than bad reflects a positive shift in coping with the loss, indicating that she has processed her grief and is beginning to adapt to life without her husband. This suggests that the patient has worked through her emotions, memories, and adjustments related to the loss, reaching a point where she is experiencing more peace and acceptance. Summary: A: Reestablishment is not the correct choice as it does not specifically address the completion of the grief work. B: Determining readiness to terminate the support group is premature, as the patient may still benefit from continued support. D: Replacing old memories with new ones is not supported by the patient's statement and does not necessarily indicate successful grief processing.

Question 4 of 9

About an hour after the patient has ECT, he complains of having a headache. The nurse should:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer an as needed (prn) dose of acetaminophen. After ECT, it is common for patients to experience headaches as a side effect. Administering acetaminophen will help alleviate the headache and provide relief for the patient. It is important to address the patient's discomfort promptly and effectively. Choice A is incorrect because headaches after ECT are a common side effect and do not typically require immediate physician notification. Choice C is incorrect as progressive relaxation may not address the immediate headache symptoms. Choice D is also incorrect as physical activities may exacerbate the headache rather than provide relief. Administering acetaminophen is the most appropriate and efficient intervention in this situation.

Question 5 of 9

Select the best outcome for a patient with the nursing diagnosis: "Impaired social interaction related to sociocultural dissonance as evidenced by stating, 'Although I’d like to, I don’t join in because I don’t speak the language very well.'” Patient will:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Select and participate in one group activity per day. This outcome directly addresses the nursing diagnosis of impaired social interaction by encouraging the patient to engage in a specific social activity daily. This goal promotes social interaction, helps the patient overcome language barriers, and gradually enhances their social skills. It provides a structured approach to improve the patient's sociocultural integration. A: Show improved use of language - This choice focuses solely on language skills but does not directly address the social interaction issue. B: Demonstrate improved social skills - While this choice is related to the nursing diagnosis, it is too broad and lacks specificity compared to choice D. C: Become more independent in decision-making - This choice is not directly related to addressing impaired social interaction caused by language barriers.

Question 6 of 9

Which statement best explains how a mother of several children should prepare to help them cope with the loss of a dear aunt?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because each child will indeed grieve in a unique way and on their own timetable. This approach recognizes the individuality of each child's emotions and coping mechanisms. By understanding and respecting their differences, the mother can provide tailored support and comfort. Option B oversimplifies the grieving process and ignores the complexity of individual responses. Option C generalizes the stages of grief for all people and does not account for variations in how children may process loss. Option D incorrectly suggests that extreme reactions are more common in young children, which is not necessarily true as grief responses can vary widely among children.

Question 7 of 9

How can the nurse encourage an extremely shy patient to participate therapeutically in a dance activity group?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because offering to dance with the patient shows support, builds trust, and models behavior. This approach can help the shy patient feel more comfortable and encouraged to participate. Choice B focuses on the patient's past experience, which may not directly address the current issue. Choice C isolates the patient, potentially increasing feelings of shyness. Choice D involves a third party, which may not be as effective in building a direct connection with the shy patient. Overall, option A is the most effective in directly engaging and encouraging the shy patient to participate therapeutically in the dance activity group.

Question 8 of 9

The nurse is determining whether the patient’s needs could be best met in a task or a process group. The decision is based on the understanding that a task group focuses on:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The "here and now." In a task group, the focus is on addressing specific goals, tasks, and problem-solving in the present moment. This approach helps members work together efficiently to achieve objectives. Communication styles (B) are more relevant in a group focused on improving communication skills. Relations among the members (C) are typically emphasized in a process group, where the focus is on interpersonal dynamics and relationships. Choice D is incomplete and does not align with the purpose of a task group.

Question 9 of 9

When sharing her feelings about separating from a therapy group, the patient stated, “I feel a bit sad and empty that I won’t be seeing you folks again.” What is the most accurate evaluation of the patient’s statement?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient expressing feeling sad and empty about leaving the therapy group is a normal response to the termination of therapy. This indicates that the patient has developed attachments and a sense of belonging within the group, which is a common aspect of group therapy. It shows emotional investment in the therapeutic process and signifies progress in the patient's emotional awareness and ability to express feelings. Choice A is incorrect because the statement does not necessarily indicate regression but rather a normal emotional response. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes unconscious motivations without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it is not necessary to question the patient's readiness based on the provided statement.

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