A patient living in community housing for the elderly says, “I don’t go to the senior citizens club. They play cards and talk about the past because that’s all they can do.” The nurse analyzes these remarks to represent:

Questions 29

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Kaplan and Sadocks Synopsis of Psychiatry Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

A patient living in community housing for the elderly says, “I don’t go to the senior citizens club. They play cards and talk about the past because that’s all they can do.” The nurse analyzes these remarks to represent:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Thinking associated with ageism. This is because the patient's statement reflects a negative stereotype about older adults, assuming they are limited to playing cards and reminiscing about the past. Ageism involves discrimination or prejudice based on someone's age, which can lead to stereotyping and marginalization. A: Failure to achieve developmental tasks - This choice does not directly relate to the patient's statement about ageism. B: Hypercritical behavior - The patient's statement does not indicate hypercritical behavior, but rather a biased perspective on aging. C: Paranoid thinking - The patient's statement does not demonstrate paranoid thinking, but rather a biased view of older adults based on ageist beliefs. In summary, the correct answer is D as the patient's remarks reflect ageist thinking, while the other choices do not align with the content of the patient's statement.

Question 2 of 9

When sharing her feelings about separating from a therapy group, the patient stated, “I feel a bit sad and empty that I won’t be seeing you folks again.” What is the most accurate evaluation of the patient’s statement?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient expressing feeling sad and empty about leaving the therapy group is a normal response to the termination of therapy. This indicates that the patient has developed attachments and a sense of belonging within the group, which is a common aspect of group therapy. It shows emotional investment in the therapeutic process and signifies progress in the patient's emotional awareness and ability to express feelings. Choice A is incorrect because the statement does not necessarily indicate regression but rather a normal emotional response. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes unconscious motivations without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it is not necessary to question the patient's readiness based on the provided statement.

Question 3 of 9

Which statement best explains how a mother of several children should prepare to help them cope with the loss of a dear aunt?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because each child will indeed grieve in a unique way and on their own timetable. This approach recognizes the individuality of each child's emotions and coping mechanisms. By understanding and respecting their differences, the mother can provide tailored support and comfort. Option B oversimplifies the grieving process and ignores the complexity of individual responses. Option C generalizes the stages of grief for all people and does not account for variations in how children may process loss. Option D incorrectly suggests that extreme reactions are more common in young children, which is not necessarily true as grief responses can vary widely among children.

Question 4 of 9

A patient living in community housing for the elderly says, “I don’t go to the senior citizens club. They play cards and talk about the past because that’s all they can do.” The nurse analyzes these remarks to represent:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Thinking associated with ageism. This is because the patient's statement reflects a negative stereotype about older adults, assuming they are limited to playing cards and reminiscing about the past. Ageism involves discrimination or prejudice based on someone's age, which can lead to stereotyping and marginalization. A: Failure to achieve developmental tasks - This choice does not directly relate to the patient's statement about ageism. B: Hypercritical behavior - The patient's statement does not indicate hypercritical behavior, but rather a biased perspective on aging. C: Paranoid thinking - The patient's statement does not demonstrate paranoid thinking, but rather a biased view of older adults based on ageist beliefs. In summary, the correct answer is D as the patient's remarks reflect ageist thinking, while the other choices do not align with the content of the patient's statement.

Question 5 of 9

Which intervention best reflects the nursing role regarding effective implementation of behavioral therapy goals?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because evaluating patient behaviors to reward economic tokens appropriately is a key aspect of behavioral therapy. By assessing and reinforcing positive behaviors with rewards, nurses can encourage patients to continue working towards their therapy goals. Administering medications accurately (choice A) is important but not directly related to behavioral therapy goals. Interacting effectively with the health care team (choice B) is important for overall patient care but does not specifically address behavioral therapy. Being aware of therapeutic modalities (choice C) is important but does not directly contribute to implementing behavioral therapy goals like choice D does.

Question 6 of 9

About an hour after the patient has ECT, he complains of having a headache. The nurse should:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer an as needed (prn) dose of acetaminophen. After ECT, it is common for patients to experience headaches as a side effect. Administering acetaminophen will help alleviate the headache and provide relief for the patient. It is important to address the patient's discomfort promptly and effectively. Choice A is incorrect because headaches after ECT are a common side effect and do not typically require immediate physician notification. Choice C is incorrect as progressive relaxation may not address the immediate headache symptoms. Choice D is also incorrect as physical activities may exacerbate the headache rather than provide relief. Administering acetaminophen is the most appropriate and efficient intervention in this situation.

Question 7 of 9

During a bereavement group, one of the members states, “I should have been the one to die. My husband had so much to offer.” The member was expressing:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ambivalence and low self-esteem. The member's statement reflects conflicting emotions (ambivalence) about her worth compared to her husband's. This indicates low self-esteem, as she believes she is less valuable. Unresolved anger (B) would involve blaming her husband, not herself. A need for attention (C) is not evident, as she is sharing personal feelings. Depression (D) may be present, but the statement specifically points to self-deprecation, not just a general feeling of sadness.

Question 8 of 9

A grief support group is held at the local community center to assist persons who are dealing with issues of loss. Which remark by one of the members would the nurse interpret as indicating unresolved feelings of guilt?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the statement indicates feelings of guilt about not getting help sooner, suggesting the member may blame themselves for the loss. This remark reflects a sense of responsibility and regret, common in unresolved guilt. Choice A expresses acceptance, B reflects natural grief progression, and D highlights difficulty during specific times, not necessarily linked to guilt. By analyzing the content of each statement, the nurse can identify cues related to unresolved feelings of guilt.

Question 9 of 9

The nurse counseling a patient with acute grief would assess the patient for:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because acute grief typically involves conflicting and unresolved emotions and thoughts related to the loss. The nurse would assess for unresolved issues to provide appropriate support and interventions. Choice A is incorrect as severe depressive symptoms may indicate complicated grief, not typical acute grief. Choice C is incorrect as increased arousal and hypervigilance are more characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder. Choice D is incorrect as preoccupation with the image of the deceased may be a common experience in grief but does not encompass the full range of emotions and conflicts that acute grief entails.

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