ATI RN
PICO Question Psychiatric Emergency Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder began taking escitalopram 5 days ago. The patient now says, 'This medicine isn't working.' The nurse's best intervention would be to
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: C is correct because it addresses the patient's concern by explaining the time lag before antidepressants relieve symptoms. It educates the patient on the delayed onset of action for antidepressants, setting realistic expectations. A: Increasing the dose without waiting for the full effect can lead to adverse effects. B: Reassurance without providing education may not address the patient's misunderstanding. D: Critical assessment for improvement is important, but educating the patient about the medication is the immediate priority.
Question 2 of 5
Select the priority nursing intervention when caring for a patient after an overdose of amphetamines.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Monitor vital signs. This is the priority nursing intervention because amphetamine overdose can lead to serious cardiovascular complications such as tachycardia, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Monitoring vital signs allows the nurse to assess the patient's cardiovascular status and intervene promptly if any abnormalities are detected. Observing for depression (B) is important but not the priority in the immediate aftermath of an overdose. Awakening the patient every 15 minutes (C) may disrupt rest and recovery, which is not ideal. Using warmers to maintain body temperature (D) is not the priority as cardiovascular stability takes precedence.
Question 3 of 5
An adult in the emergency department states, 'Everything I see appears to be waving. I am outside my body looking at myself. I think I'm losing my mind.' Vital signs are slightly elevated. The nurse should suspect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: hallucinogen ingestion. The individual's symptoms of visual distortions, feelings of detachment from reality, and paranoia are indicative of a hallucinogenic experience. Hallucinogens such as LSD or mushrooms can cause these perceptual disturbances. Vital signs being slightly elevated can also be a sign of hallucinogen use. Schizophrenic episodes (A) typically involve more persistent and complex symptoms over time. Opium intoxication (C) would present with different symptoms such as drowsiness and respiratory depression. Cocaine overdose (D) would exhibit symptoms like agitation, chest pain, and hypertension.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse prepares for an initial interaction with a patient with a long history of methamphetamine abuse. Which is the nurse's best first action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because self-assessing personal attitudes and beliefs about the health problem is crucial in providing effective care without judgment. This step helps the nurse to approach the patient with empathy and understanding, building trust and rapport. Performing a thorough assessment (choice A) may be premature without establishing a therapeutic relationship first. Verifying security services (choice B) is unnecessary and may escalate the situation. Obtaining a face shield (choice D) is not relevant as it does not address the immediate need for establishing a therapeutic relationship.
Question 5 of 5
The feeling experienced by a patient that should be assessed by the nurse as most predictive of elevated suicide risk is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: hopelessness. Hopelessness is a key predictor of elevated suicide risk as it reflects a sense of despair and lack of belief in positive outcomes. Patients who feel hopeless may be more likely to consider suicide as a way to escape their perceived unending suffering. In contrast, sadness (B) is a common emotion that may not necessarily indicate an immediate suicide risk. Elation (C) is also not indicative of suicide risk, as individuals experiencing high levels of joy are less likely to consider suicide. Anger (D) may be a sign of distress but is not as strongly associated with suicide risk as hopelessness.