ATI RN
Kaplan and Sadocks Synopsis of Psychiatry Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is using Piaget’s model to assess a child’s developmental stage. Which behaviors would determine that a child is successfully achieving the skills required of the formal operations level of development? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B, D
Rationale: In Piaget's formal operations stage, children develop abstract thinking, planning abilities, and logical reasoning. Planning a trip and selecting appropriate clothing demonstrate these skills. Becoming sad over the pet's death and identifying objects by capacity are more related to emotional and concrete operational stages.
Question 2 of 5
A patient states, "I’m not worth anything. I have negative thoughts about myself. I feel anxious and shaky all the time. Sometimes I feel so sad that I want to go to sleep and never wake up." Which nursing intervention should have the highest priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Suicide precautions. The patient's statement indicates they are experiencing severe depression and suicidal ideation. Suicide precautions should be the highest priority to ensure the patient's safety. This includes removing any potential means of self-harm, constant monitoring, and close supervision. Self-esteem-building activities (A) may be helpful in the long term but are not the immediate priority. Anxiety self-control measures (B) are important but addressing suicidal ideation takes precedence. Sleep enhancement activities (C) are also important but not the highest priority when dealing with suicidal thoughts.
Question 3 of 5
The best response to the patient’s statement, "They frobitz me," would be:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it seeks clarification and prompts the patient to specify who they are referring to when they say "everybody." This response shows active listening and encourages deeper communication. Choice A offers sympathy but doesn't address the issue directly. Choice C dismisses the significance of "frobitzing." Choice D asks for the reason behind "frobitzing" without seeking clarification on the people involved.
Question 4 of 5
Which intervention should the nurse plan to reduce the patient's focus on delusional thinking?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because focusing on the feelings suggested by the delusion can help the patient process and manage their emotions underlying the delusion. By addressing the emotions, the nurse can help the patient gain insight into the delusion and reduce its intensity. Confronting the delusion (A) may lead to resistance and reinforcement. Refuting the delusion with logic (B) may further alienate the patient. Exploring reasons for the delusion (C) may not directly address the emotional component.
Question 5 of 5
The wife of a patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia asks: “I’ve been told that my husband’s illness is probably related to imbalanced brain chemicals. Can you be more specific?”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: An increase in the brain chemical dopamine explains the presence of delusions and hallucinations. In paranoid schizophrenia, there is an overactivity of dopamine receptors in the brain, leading to an excess of dopamine. This excess dopamine is associated with symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Therefore, an increase in dopamine levels is directly linked to these specific symptoms in individuals with paranoid schizophrenia. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: Breakdown of dopamine producing LSD does not directly relate to the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. B: Decreased amounts of dopamine do not explain the presence of delusions and hallucinations in paranoid schizophrenia; it is the increase in dopamine that is associated with these symptoms. D: An increase in dopamine is more closely related to delusions and hallucinations rather than lack of motivation and disordered affect in paranoid schizophrenia.