ATI RN
Age Specific Care Competency Questions
Question 1 of 5
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia is hypervigilant and constantly scans the environment. He states that he saw two doctors talking in the hall and knows they were plotting to kill him. When charting, how should the nurse identify this behavior?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Idea of reference. This patient's belief that the doctors were plotting to kill him is an example of an idea of reference, a symptom of paranoia common in paranoid schizophrenia. This term refers to the belief that neutral actions or events are directed at oneself. Delusion of infidelity (B) involves false beliefs about a partner's infidelity, not relevant here. Auditory hallucination (C) is false perception of sound, not applicable. Echolalia (D) is the repetition of words or phrases, not seen in this scenario. Identifying the behavior as an idea of reference helps the nurse understand the patient's distorted perception and tailor interventions effectively.
Question 2 of 5
A patient, aged 82 years, has Alzheimer's disease. She lives with her daughter's family and goes to a day care facility on weekdays. The nurse at the day care center noticed the patient was unkempt and had multiple bruises. 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 I just cannot bear to care for her." Which nursing diagnosis would be most important to address for this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Risk for injury related to impaired cognition, judgment, and coordination and lack of caregiver supervision. The rationale is that the patient's Alzheimer's disease has led to impaired cognitive function, making her at risk for injury due to wandering and falls. The daughter's lack of supervision and inability to manage the patient's needs further exacerbate this risk. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the immediate safety concern of the patient being at risk for injury. Nonadherence, anxiety, and impaired communication are important issues but do not take precedence over the patient's safety in this context.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse interviews a patient abducted and raped at gunpoint by an unknown assailant. The patient says, "I can't talk about it. Nothing happened. I have to forget." What is the patient's present coping strategy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Denial. The patient's statement of "I can't talk about it. Nothing happened. I have to forget" indicates a denial coping strategy. Denial is a defense mechanism where individuals refuse to acknowledge a stressful situation or event. In this case, the patient is attempting to block out the traumatic experience of being abducted and raped by denying its existence. This coping mechanism helps the individual temporarily avoid the emotional distress associated with the event. A: Somatization involves expressing emotional distress through physical symptoms, which is not evident in the patient's statement. B: Repression is the unconscious blocking of unpleasant memories, whereas the patient is consciously trying to forget the event. C: Projection involves attributing one's own thoughts or feelings to others, which is not demonstrated in the patient's statement. In summary, the patient's use of denial as a coping strategy is evident in their attempt to minimize the traumatic experience by refusing to acknowledge it.
Question 4 of 5
A patient in the long-term phase of the rape-trauma syndrome had intrusive thoughts of the attack and developed fears of being alone. Which finding best demonstrates the patient has improved? The patient!
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because planning coping strategies for fearful situations indicates the patient is actively working on managing their fears and trauma, showing progress and improvement. Choice A is incorrect as increased activity may be a maladaptive coping mechanism. Choice C suggests social withdrawal, which is a sign of regression. Choice D may indicate premature attempts to engage in sexual activity without addressing the underlying trauma. Overall, choice B demonstrates proactive steps towards healing and recovery.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse caring for a school-age child who has been sexually abused by a close family member realizes that the child may resist disclosing the experience of being sexually abused because the child:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Fears being blamed or disbelieved. This is because children who have been sexually abused often fear that they will not be believed or may be blamed for what happened. This fear can prevent them from disclosing the abuse. Choice A is incorrect because repeated questioning may not be the primary reason for the child's resistance. Choice C is incorrect because the child's fear of being pitied at school is not typically a main concern when disclosing sexual abuse. Choice D is incorrect because embarrassment about facing family members may be a factor, but the fear of blame or disbelief is usually a more significant barrier to disclosure in cases of sexual abuse.