ATI RN
Aggressive Behavior Nursing Diagnosis Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in the manic phase. The patient states, 'I'm going to buy a new car and take a trip to Paris.' Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In caring for a patient with bipolar disorder in the manic phase, the priority nursing intervention is to limit the patient's access to money and credit cards (Option B). This is crucial because individuals in a manic episode may engage in impulsive and risky behaviors, such as excessive spending, which can have serious consequences like financial ruin. By limiting access to money and credit cards, the nurse can help prevent the patient from making poor financial decisions that could harm their well-being. Encouraging the patient to think through the consequences of their actions (Option A) may not be effective during a manic episode as reasoning and judgment are often impaired. Providing information about budgeting and planning (Option C) may also not be productive at this time as the patient's primary need is to be kept safe from harm. Encouraging the patient to express their excitement about their plans (Option D) may inadvertently validate and reinforce risky behaviors associated with the manic episode. In an educational context, it is important for nurses to understand the unique challenges presented by individuals experiencing manic episodes and to prioritize interventions that promote their safety and well-being. Limiting access to potential harmful resources is a key strategy in managing impulsive behaviors associated with bipolar disorder.
Question 2 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 3 of 5
A nurse leads a psychoeducational group for patients experiencing depression. The nurse plans to implement an exercise regime for each patient. The rationale to use when presenting this plan to the treatment team is that exercise
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A) has an antidepressant effect comparable to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Exercise has been well-documented to have a positive impact on mental health, particularly in reducing symptoms of depression. Engaging in physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. This effect is comparable to the action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are commonly prescribed antidepressant medications. Option B) prevents damage from overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, while relevant to the benefits of exercise, does not directly address the antidepressant effect seen in patients with depression. Option C) detoxifies the body by removing metabolic wastes and other toxins is not directly related to the impact of exercise on depression and mental health. Option D) improves mood stability for patients with bipolar disorders, although exercise can have positive effects on mood stability, this option specifically focuses on bipolar disorder which is not the primary condition being addressed in patients experiencing depression in the given scenario. In an educational context, understanding the physiological and psychological benefits of exercise can empower healthcare professionals to incorporate holistic approaches in patient care, especially in managing mental health conditions like depression. By recognizing the antidepressant effects of exercise, nurses can advocate for evidence-based interventions that complement traditional treatment modalities, leading to improved patient outcomes and overall well-being.
Question 4 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 5 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.