ATI RN
Psychobiological Disorder Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient diagnosed with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse, 'It's starting again. I feel as though I'm going to float away.' Which intervention would be most appropriate at this point?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Helping the patient apply a grounding technique, such as exercise, assists the patient to interrupt the dissociative process. Medication can help reduce anxiety but does not directly interrupt the dissociative process. Isolation would allow the sensation to overpower the patient. It is not necessary to notify the health care provider.
Question 2 of 5
A soldier in a combat zone tells the nurse, 'I saw a child get blown up over a year ago, and I still keep seeing bits of flesh everywhere. I see something red, and the visions race back to my mind.' Which phenomenon associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the soldier describing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Spontaneous or cued recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic events are often associated with PTSD. The soldier has described intrusive thoughts and visions associated with reexperiencing the traumatic event. This description does not indicate psychosis, hypervigilance, or avoidance.
Question 3 of 5
After major reconstructive surgery, a patient's wounds dehisced. Extensive wound care was required for 6 months, causing the patient to miss work and social activities. Which pathophysiology would be expected for this patient? Dysfunction of the:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) hippocampus. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation and spatial navigation. In the context of the patient with dehisced wounds following major surgery requiring extensive wound care and leading to missed work and social activities, the prolonged stress and disruption to daily life can have a significant impact on the hippocampus. Chronic stress and negative experiences can affect the structure and function of the hippocampus, leading to memory and cognitive impairments. Option A) pons is incorrect because the pons is primarily involved in regulating sleep, respiration, and certain motor functions, not directly related to the consequences of prolonged wound care. Option B) occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing, so dysfunction in this area would not be expected to result from the described scenario. Option D) hypothalamus is involved in regulating various bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormonal regulation, but it is not directly associated with the cognitive and memory deficits that can arise from prolonged stress and disruption as seen in the patient's case. Educationally, understanding the impact of stress and negative experiences on brain structures like the hippocampus is crucial for healthcare professionals to provide holistic care to patients. Recognizing how psychosocial factors can influence physiological outcomes is essential in the comprehensive management of patients undergoing significant medical interventions.
Question 4 of 5
A 10-year-old child was placed in a foster home after being removed from parental contact because of abuse. The child has apprehension, tremulousness, and impaired concentration. The foster parent also reports the child has an upset stomach, urinates frequently, and does not understand what has happened. What helpful measures should the nurse suggest to the foster parents? The nurse should recommend: (select all that apply)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The child's symptoms and behavior suggest that he is exhibiting posttraumatic stress disorder. Interventions appropriate for this level of anxiety include using a calm, reassuring tone, acknowledging the child's distress, repeating content as needed when there is impaired cognitive processing and memory, providing opportunities for comforting and normalizing play and physical activities, correcting any distortion of reality, and staying with the child to increase his sense of security.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following is not a type of anxiety disorder?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anxiety disorders include conditions like phobias, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, characterized by excessive fear or worry. Depression is a mood disorder, not an anxiety disorder, though it can co-occur with anxiety. Substance abuse is a separate category of disorder related to addiction, not anxiety. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder.