ATI RN
Psychobiological Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse cares for these four patients. Which patient has the highest risk for problems with sleep physiology?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, the corporate accountant who travels frequently. This patient is at the highest risk for sleep problems due to disruptions in circadian rhythms caused by frequent travel across time zones, leading to jet lag. Travel can also result in irregular sleep patterns, poor sleep quality, and difficulty falling asleep. The other choices are less likely to have significant impacts on sleep physiology. A (retiree volunteering) and C (parent with teenagers) may have some sleep disturbances but not as severe as frequent travelers. D (lawn care worker) may have physical exhaustion but is less likely to experience significant disruptions in sleep physiology compared to frequent travelers.
Question 2 of 5
A person is prescribed lorazepam 2 mg PO bid as needed for anxiety. When the person takes this medication, which change in sleep is anticipated? The patient will
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: have less slow-wave sleep. When a person takes lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, it acts on the central nervous system by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. This results in a decrease in slow-wave sleep, which is the deep restorative stage of sleep. Lorazepam can reduce the time spent in this stage and may lead to more fragmented sleep patterns. This change in sleep architecture is a common effect of benzodiazepines. Other choices are incorrect because: A: There is no direct correlation between lorazepam and the frequency of dreams. C: Lorazepam can actually decrease sleep latency, making it easier to fall asleep. D: Lorazepam usually does not affect the initial stages of sleep, such as REM sleep.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse counsels a patient on ways to determine the person's total sleep requirement. Which instruction would produce the most accurate results?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: 1. By going to bed at the usual time, the patient maintains their regular sleep schedule, minimizing external factors that could affect sleep duration. 2. Waking up without an alarm allows the patient's body to naturally wake up, indicating when they have had sufficient rest. 3. Recording the hours slept for a week and calculating the average provides a more accurate estimate of their total sleep requirement. 4. This method is practical, easy to follow, and directly measures the individual's sleep needs. Summary of other choices: A: Dream content and related feelings do not directly measure sleep requirement. C: Alertness rating may fluctuate due to other factors, not solely sleep duration. D: Prescribing a fixed amount of sleep for all adults does not account for individual variability in sleep needs.
Question 4 of 5
A patient reports, Nearly every night I awaken feeling frightened after a bad dream. The dream usually involves being hunted by people trying to hurt me. It usually happens between 4 and 5 AM. The nurse assesses this disorder as most consistent with criteria for which problem?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nightmare disorder. This is because the patient describes experiencing frightening dreams that awaken them between 4 and 5 AM, which is characteristic of nightmare disorder. Nightmares are vivid and disturbing dreams that occur during REM sleep, leading to feelings of fear, anxiety, or terror upon waking. The other choices are incorrect because sleep deprivation (A) refers to inadequate quantity or quality of sleep, night terror disorder (C) involves sudden awakening with intense fear and confusion, and REM sleep behavior disorder (D) is characterized by acting out dreams physically during REM sleep.
Question 5 of 5
A patient tells the nurse, Everyone says we should sleep 8 hours a night. I can only sleep 6 hours, no matter how hard I try. Am I doing harm to my body? Select the nurse's best response.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Short sleepers are individuals who naturally require less sleep (around 6 hours) and still function well. By acknowledging the possibility that the patient is a short sleeper, the nurse normalizes the situation and alleviates any concerns about potential harm from only sleeping 6 hours. This response shows understanding and validation of the patient's unique sleep pattern. Choice A focuses on strategies to increase sleep without considering the possibility of being a short sleeper. Choice B implies harm from lack of sleep, which may not apply to short sleepers. Choice C suggests consulting a healthcare provider without considering the individual's natural sleep needs.