ATI RN
Aggressive Behavior Nursing Diagnosis Questions
Question 1 of 5
A Filipino American patient had a nursing diagnosis of situational low self-esteem related to poor social skills as evidenced by lack of eye contact. Interventions were applied to increase the patient's self-esteem but after 3 weeks, the patient's eye contact did not improve. What is the most accurate analysis of this scenario?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The nurse should have assessed the patient's culture before making this diagnosis and plan. In this scenario, the patient's Filipino American cultural background is a crucial factor that could influence their behavior, including their level of comfort with eye contact. Understanding the patient's cultural norms and values is essential in providing culturally competent care. Option A is incorrect because addressing eye contact solely through role-playing may not be effective if cultural factors are at play. Option B is incorrect as nurses are trained to independently assess, diagnose, and plan nursing care. Option C is incorrect as assuming the patient's poor eye contact is solely due to anger and hostility without considering cultural influences is a biased interpretation. In an educational context, this scenario highlights the importance of cultural competence in nursing care. Nurses need to be aware of how cultural background can impact a patient's behavior, beliefs, and attitudes towards health care practices. By conducting a culturally sensitive assessment, nurses can tailor interventions that respect and align with the patient's cultural values, ultimately improving the effectiveness of care delivery.
Question 2 of 5
A patient says, 'I will never be happy until I'm as successful as my older sister.' The nurse asks the patient to reassess this statement and reframe it. Which reframed statement by the patient is most likely to promote coping?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Finding contentment within one's own work, even when it does not involve success as others might define it, is likely to lead to a reduced sense of distress about achievement level. It speaks to finding satisfaction and happiness without measuring the self against another person. Focusing on salary is simply a more specific way of being as successful as the sister, which would not promote coping. Expecting others to treat her as they do her sister is beyond her control. Dismissing the sister's cleverness as unimportant indicates that the patient continues to feel inferior to the sibling.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with an abdominal mass is scheduled for a biopsy. The patient has difficulty understanding the nurse's comments and asks, 'What do you mean? What are they going to do?' Assessment findings include tremulous voice, respirations 28, and pulse 110. What is the patient's level of anxiety?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Moderate anxiety causes the individual to grasp less information and reduces problem-solving ability to a less-than-optimal level. Mild anxiety heightens attention and enhances problem solving. Severe anxiety causes great reduction in the perceptual field. Panic-level anxiety results in disorganized behavior.
Question 4 of 5
A person speaking about a rival for a significant other's affection says in an emotional, syrupy voice, 'What a lovely person. That's someone I simply adore.' The individual is demonstrating
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reaction formation is an unconscious mechanism that keeps unacceptable feelings out of awareness by using the opposite behavior. Instead of expressing hatred for the other person, the individual gives praise. Denial operates unconsciously to allow an anxiety-producing idea, feeling, or situation to be ignored. Projection involves unconsciously disowning an unacceptable idea, feeling, or behavior by attributing it to another. Repression involves unconsciously placing an idea, feeling, or event out of awareness.
Question 5 of 5
A patient performs ritualistic hand washing. Which action should the nurse implement to help the patient develop more effective coping?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of managing aggressive behavior related to ritualistic hand washing, encouraging the patient to participate in social activities (Option B) is the most appropriate action to help the patient develop more effective coping mechanisms. Encouraging social activities helps the patient to engage in meaningful interactions, improve social skills, reduce isolation, and shift focus away from the compulsive behavior of hand washing. Social engagement can provide emotional support, distraction, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial in managing anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Option A, allowing the patient to set a hand-washing schedule, may reinforce the compulsive behavior rather than addressing the underlying issues causing the behavior. Option C, encouraging the patient to discuss hand-washing routines, may not actively involve the patient in alternative coping strategies. Option D, focusing on the patient's symptoms rather than the patient, neglects the holistic approach needed to address the underlying psychological factors contributing to the behavior. In an educational context, understanding the rationale behind choosing social activities as an intervention can help nurses develop a comprehensive care plan for patients exhibiting aggressive behaviors. By prioritizing social engagement and exploring alternative coping mechanisms, nurses can better support patients in managing their symptoms and improving their overall well-being.