ATI RN
Age Specific Nursing Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
A community mental health nurse is assigned to investigate the frequent school absences of an 11-year-old child. The nurse finds the child home alone, caring for his 1- and 3-year-old siblings. The house is cluttered and dirty, and both parents are at work. The child tells the nurse that whenever his mother is called to work at her part-time job, he must watch the kids because the family cannot afford a babysitter. Based on the information obtained thus far, what preliminary assessment can be made?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The child and his siblings are experiencing neglect. Neglect is defined as failure to provide for a child's basic needs, such as supervision, food, shelter, and medical care. In this scenario, the child is left alone to care for his younger siblings, indicating a lack of appropriate supervision and care from the parents. The house being cluttered and dirty further suggests neglect in terms of living conditions. Choice A is incorrect because the child is not coping well; rather, he is forced into a caretaker role beyond his developmental capacity. Choice C is incorrect as there is no information provided to suggest sexual abuse. Choice D is incorrect as there is no evidence of physical abuse in the scenario.
Question 2 of 5
The wife of a client newly diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia asks the nurse, 'My husband was well adjusted until a month ago, and then, after a lot of work stress, he got sick. What can I expect? Will he be this sick for the rest of his life?' What information can the nurse provide about prognosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "This disorder responds well to treatment and, with follow-up, may not recur." Rationale: 1. Paranoid schizophrenia typically responds well to treatment, especially with early intervention. 2. With proper medication and therapy, individuals with paranoid schizophrenia can experience significant improvement and lead fulfilling lives. 3. Follow-up care and support are crucial in maintaining stability and preventing relapses. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: All types of schizophrenia are chronic relapsing disorders - This is not accurate as outcomes can vary depending on the subtype of schizophrenia. C: Outcomes are poor related to client prehospital disorganization - This statement is too general and does not specifically address the prognosis of paranoid schizophrenia. D: The usual outcome is that only partial remission is achieved - This is not always the case, as many individuals with paranoid schizophrenia can achieve full remission with appropriate treatment.
Question 3 of 5
A patient has not come out of her room for breakfast. The nurse finds the patient moving restlessly about her room in a disorganized manner. The patient is talking to herself, and her verbal responses to the nurse are nonsensical and suggest disorientation. The nurse notices that the patient's skin is hot and dry, and her pupils are somewhat dilated. All these symptoms are significant departures from the patient's recent presentation. The patient is likely experiencing ______, and the nurse should ______.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: anticholinergic toxicity. The patient's symptoms align with this diagnosis due to the disorganized behavior, nonsensical speech, disorientation, hot and dry skin, dilated pupils, and recent presentation changes. Anticholinergic toxicity can cause confusion, delirium, hyperthermia, and dilated pupils. Checking vital signs and preparing to use a cooling blanket are appropriate actions to manage the symptoms. Choice B (relapse of psychosis) is incorrect because the symptoms are not typical of a psychotic relapse. Choice C (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) is incorrect as the symptoms do not completely align with this syndrome, which typically includes muscle rigidity and autonomic dysfunction. Choice D (agranulocytosis) is incorrect because it presents with low white blood cell count and not the symptoms described in the scenario.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse has been working with a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who experiences auditory hallucinations. The patient relates, 'When I first heard the voices they said nice things about me. Lately, they've changed and they say bad things.' What information has the least impact on therapeutic patient care at this point in the hospitalization?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (A): Asking the patient if they trust the nurse to help with the voices is the least impactful at this point because establishing trust should have already been a priority earlier in the hospitalization. The focus now should be on assessing the nature and frequency of the auditory hallucinations to guide further treatment and intervention. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: This question is important to assess if the voices are commanding potentially harmful actions. C: Understanding the frequency of the voices is crucial in evaluating the severity of the symptoms. D: Inquiring about hearing voices in different environments helps assess the impact of external factors on the hallucinations.
Question 5 of 5
A patient, aged 77 years, has Alzheimer's disease. She goes to day care during the week and is otherwise cared for by her daughter and grandchildren. The nurse at the day care center noticed multiple bruises on the patient's palms, elbows, and buttocks. When the daughter arrived to pick her up, the nurse discussed her observations. The daughter became defensive and said that her mother was very difficult to manage. She stated, "My mother is not my mother anymore. She is confused, and she wanders all night. We have to watch her constantly. Last night I fell asleep, and she fell down the stairs. Sometimes she cannot recognize me and accuses me of trying to poison her. I can't concentrate at work, and it's wrecking the family. Sometimes I just cannot bear it." Which nursing diagnosis would be most important to address for this family?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct nursing diagnosis to address in this scenario is D: Caregiver role strain related to increased care needs. This is the most important as it focuses on the daughter's challenges and emotional burden due to her mother's condition. The daughter's statements reveal feelings of overwhelm, guilt, and exhaustion, which are key indicators of caregiver role strain. By addressing this nursing diagnosis, the healthcare team can provide support and resources to help the daughter cope with the demands of caring for her mother. Choice A (Knowledge deficit pertaining to dementia) is not the most important in this situation as the daughter's issue is not lack of knowledge but rather emotional stress. Choice B (Grieving related to mother's deterioration) is not the priority as addressing the daughter's emotional strain is more urgent than addressing grief. Choice C (Risk for injury related to cognitive impairment) is also important but not as immediate as addressing the caregiver's emotional well-being.