A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

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ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2019 Questions

Question 1 of 5

A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct finding the nurse should expect in a client diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a lack of interest in activities. This disorder is characterized by a chronic depressive mood lasting for at least two years, alongside symptoms such as changes in appetite, fatigue, low self-esteem, and difficulty concentrating. Clients with dysthymia do not typically experience hypomania, periods of elevated mood, or feelings of detachment from one's body, which are more commonly associated with other mood disorders. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect findings for a client with persistent depressive disorder.

Question 2 of 5

A client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia states, 'The FBI is watching me. I see their agents everywhere.' Which is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 3 of 5

A client with depression is experiencing anhedonia. Which statement by the client reflects this symptom?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable. The statement 'I don't enjoy the things I used to love' directly reflects this symptom as the client is expressing a lack of pleasure from previously enjoyable activities. Choices A, C, and D do not specifically relate to anhedonia but rather indicate symptoms of anxiety, concentration difficulties, and sleep disturbances, respectively.

Question 4 of 5

A client experiencing a manic episode is talking rapidly and jumping from one topic to another. Which term describes this symptom?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In a manic episode, 'Flight of ideas' is characterized by rapid speech, where the individual moves quickly between topics without a clear connection. This symptom reflects the racing thoughts and impulsivity often seen in manic episodes. Circumstantiality refers to unnecessary detail and delay in getting to the point, tangentiality involves going off on a tangent or unrelated topics, and perseveration is the persistent repetition of a response or behavior. Therefore, 'Flight of ideas' best describes the symptom of rapidly changing topics during a manic episode.

Question 5 of 5

A client is being treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which intervention should be included in the care plan?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Allowing the client to perform rituals in the early stages of treatment is a common therapeutic approach for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Allowing the client to engage in rituals can help reduce anxiety by providing temporary relief. It is a part of exposure therapy, where the individual is gradually exposed to anxiety-provoking situations. As treatment progresses, the focus shifts to gradually reducing the frequency and intensity of rituals through interventions like exposure and response prevention therapy. Discouraging the client from performing rituals (Choice A) is not recommended as it may increase anxiety and resistance to treatment. Encouraging the client to focus on their compulsions (Choice C) may reinforce the behavior rather than helping to decrease it. Isolating the client (Choice D) is not therapeutic and can lead to feelings of abandonment and worsen symptoms.

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