A client becomes upset when the physician diagnoses diabetes mellitus as the cause of current signs and symptoms. The client tells the nurse, "This must be a mistake. No one in my family has ever had diabetes." Based on this statement, the nurse suspects the client is using which coping mechanism?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The client's response of stating that diabetes cannot be possible because it is not prevalent in the family indicates that the client is using the coping mechanism of denial. Denial is a common defense mechanism where individuals refuse to accept reality or facts that are too uncomfortable for them to acknowledge. In this situation, the client is denying the diagnosis of diabetes as a way to cope with the distressing news, hoping that it may not be true because it has not affected their family members in the past. Recognizing this coping mechanism is important for the nurse to provide support and education to help the client come to terms with the diagnosis and start managing the condition effectively.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Young age at diagnosis is generally associated with a favorable prognosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring head circumference is essential in children with meningitis to assess for possible development of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a potentially serious complication that can occur following meningitis. An increase in head circumference can indicate the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain due to hydrocephalus. Regularly measuring the head circumference allows healthcare providers to detect any early signs of hydrocephalus and take appropriate actions such as further imaging or intervention. Monitoring for convulsions, assessing pupil size, and watching for vomiting are important aspects of care for a child with meningitis but are not specific to monitoring for hydrocephalus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is a condition characterized by the inability of the kidneys to conserve water, leading to excessive thirst and excretion of large volumes of dilute urine. Central DI, the most common form in children, is treated with a synthetic form of the hormone vasopressin, also known as desmopressin. Vasopressin helps the kidneys to retain water, thereby reducing urine output and preventing excessive dehydration. Since DI is a chronic condition, treatment with vasopressin is typically required on a lifelong basis to manage symptoms and prevent complications. It is important for healthcare providers to understand the long-term nature of DI treatment in order to provide appropriate care and support to patients with this condition.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. In this condition, the immune system produces autoantibodies that target proteins in the thyroid tissue, causing inflammation and destruction of the thyroid gland over time. This process leads to hypothyroidism, as the damaged thyroid is no longer able to produce sufficient thyroid hormones. Autoantibodies are a hallmark of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and are responsible for the destruction of the thyroid gland in this condition.