ATI RN
Psychobiological Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient needs diagnostic evaluation of sleep problems. Which test will evaluate the patient for possible sleep-related problems?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG is used to monitor brain activity during sleep, helping to diagnose sleep disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy. It measures electrical activity in the brain, providing valuable information on sleep patterns and any abnormalities. Skull x-rays (A) are not useful for evaluating sleep problems. PET (C) and SPECT (D) scans are imaging techniques that show brain activity but are not specifically designed for sleep evaluation. EEG is the most appropriate choice for assessing sleep-related issues due to its ability to directly measure brain activity during sleep.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse counsels a patient on ways to determine the person's total sleep requirement. Which instruction would produce the most accurate results?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: 1. By going to bed at the usual time, the patient maintains their regular sleep schedule, minimizing external factors that could affect sleep duration. 2. Waking up without an alarm allows the patient's body to naturally wake up, indicating when they have had sufficient rest. 3. Recording the hours slept for a week and calculating the average provides a more accurate estimate of their total sleep requirement. 4. This method is practical, easy to follow, and directly measures the individual's sleep needs. Summary of other choices: A: Dream content and related feelings do not directly measure sleep requirement. C: Alertness rating may fluctuate due to other factors, not solely sleep duration. D: Prescribing a fixed amount of sleep for all adults does not account for individual variability in sleep needs.
Question 3 of 5
A patient reports, Nearly every night I awaken feeling frightened after a bad dream. The dream usually involves being hunted by people trying to hurt me. It usually happens between 4 and 5 AM. The nurse assesses this disorder as most consistent with criteria for which problem?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nightmare disorder. This is because the patient describes experiencing frightening dreams that awaken them between 4 and 5 AM, which is characteristic of nightmare disorder. Nightmares are vivid and disturbing dreams that occur during REM sleep, leading to feelings of fear, anxiety, or terror upon waking. The other choices are incorrect because sleep deprivation (A) refers to inadequate quantity or quality of sleep, night terror disorder (C) involves sudden awakening with intense fear and confusion, and REM sleep behavior disorder (D) is characterized by acting out dreams physically during REM sleep.
Question 4 of 5
A patient tells the nurse, Everyone says we should sleep 8 hours a night. I can only sleep 6 hours, no matter how hard I try. Am I doing harm to my body? Select the nurse's best response.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Short sleepers are individuals who naturally require less sleep (around 6 hours) and still function well. By acknowledging the possibility that the patient is a short sleeper, the nurse normalizes the situation and alleviates any concerns about potential harm from only sleeping 6 hours. This response shows understanding and validation of the patient's unique sleep pattern. Choice A focuses on strategies to increase sleep without considering the possibility of being a short sleeper. Choice B implies harm from lack of sleep, which may not apply to short sleepers. Choice C suggests consulting a healthcare provider without considering the individual's natural sleep needs.
Question 5 of 5
A night shift worker reports, I'm having trouble getting to sleep after a night's work. I have a hearty breakfast with coffee, read the paper, do my exercises, and then go to bed. However, I just lie awake until it is nearly time to get up to be with my family for dinner. What changes should the nurse suggest? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Drink juice with breakfast rather than coffee. Coffee contains caffeine, which can interfere with sleep. By switching to juice, the night shift worker can avoid the stimulating effects of caffeine and potentially improve their ability to fall asleep. Juice can also provide hydration and essential nutrients without the sleep-disrupting properties of coffee. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: Exercise after awakening rather than before - While exercising before bed can be stimulating and interfere with sleep, exercising after awakening may not directly address the issue of sleeplessness after a night shift. C: Turn on the television when going to bed - Watching TV before bed can be stimulating and disrupt sleep patterns, so this choice would likely not help the night shift worker with their sleep troubles. D: Do not read the paper - Reading the paper before bed may be a relaxing activity for some individuals and may not directly contribute to the difficulty in falling asleep after a night shift. It is not as impactful as changing the source of