ATI RN
Age Specific Nursing Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient receiving risperidone (Risperdal) reports severe muscle stiffness midmorning. During lunch he has difficulty swallowing food and speaking, and when vital signs are taken 30 minutes later, he is noted to be stuporous and diaphoretic, with a temperature of 38.8° C, pulse of 110 beats/min, and blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg. The nurse should suspect _____ and should _____.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The patient is exhibiting symptoms consistent with NMS, a rare but serious side effect of antipsychotic medications like risperidone. The severe muscle stiffness, difficulty swallowing, altered mental status, diaphoresis, elevated temperature, and vital sign changes are classic signs of NMS. Treatment includes immediate cooling to lower the body temperature and transfer to the intensive care unit for close monitoring and supportive care. Choice B: Anticholinergic toxicity does not fit the patient's presentation as there are no specific signs of anticholinergic toxicity such as dry mucous membranes, dilated pupils, or tachycardia. Choice C: Relapse of psychosis is unlikely to present with the same constellation of symptoms, including altered mental status, fever, and vital sign changes. Choice D: Agranulocytosis is characterized by a severe drop in white blood cells, leading to increased risk of infection, but it does
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is administering haloperidol (Haldol) to a client experiencing delusions and hallucinations associated with schizophrenia. The nurse can expect symptom abatement as a result of the drug's action to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. By blocking these receptors, haloperidol reduces the effects of excess dopamine, which is known to contribute to symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions and hallucinations. This action helps alleviate the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Choice A is incorrect because haloperidol does not reduce the number of brain cells that crave dopamine; it acts on the receptors themselves. Choice C is incorrect because enhancing dopamine receptors would lead to an increase in the effects of dopamine, worsening symptoms. Choice D is incorrect because haloperidol does not cause increased cellular production of dopamine; it blocks dopamine receptors instead.
Question 3 of 5
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse as they sit in the day room, 'I hear voices telling me bad things.' The most therapeutic response the nurse can make is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it demonstrates empathy and validation of the client's experience. By acknowledging the client's reality of hearing voices and emphasizing that the nurse does not hear them, the nurse establishes trust and rapport. This response shows active listening and validates the client's feelings without judgment. Incorrect responses: A: Asking the client to describe the voices may increase distress and is not as supportive as acknowledging their experience. C: Dismissing the voices as not real can invalidate the client's experience and may lead to mistrust. D: Suggesting a change of location does not address the client's immediate concerns and may not be therapeutic in this situation.
Question 4 of 5
Police bring a 63-year-old woman to the emergency room, reporting that her behavior is disorganized and disruptive, that her speech makes little sense, and that she does not seem able to take care of herself. The woman has had elective surgeries at the hospital previously and was seen in the ER last week after a fall; records show no history of similar symptoms or mental illness. The ER physician speaks with the patient but does not examine her medically, diagnoses her with schizophrenia, and orders admission to the inpatient psychiatric unit. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it promotes a thorough and systematic approach to the patient's care. First, it challenges the premature diagnosis of schizophrenia without a medical examination. Second, it highlights the importance of considering medical causes for the symptoms presented by the patient. This is crucial as the patient's age and lack of prior history of mental illness suggest that a medical work-up is necessary to rule out underlying medical conditions that could be causing her symptoms. This approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment tailored to the patient's specific needs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not address the fundamental issue of exploring potential medical causes for the patient's symptoms before jumping to a psychiatric diagnosis or treatment. A, B, and D focus on seeking additional psychiatric opinions, consulting for medication initiation, and evaluating vital signs, respectively, which do not address the need for a thorough medical evaluation in this case.
Question 5 of 5
The family of a patient with schizophrenia who has been stable for a year reports to the community mental health nurse that the patient reports feeling tense and having difficulty concentrating. He sleeps only 3 to 4 hours nightly and has begun to talk about creatures called 'volmers' hiding in the warehouse where he works and undoing his work each night. This information most likely suggests:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: relapse of his schizophrenia. The patient is displaying symptoms such as feeling tense, difficulty concentrating, disturbed sleep, and delusional thoughts about creatures hiding in his workplace. These symptoms indicate a return of psychotic features characteristic of schizophrenia, suggesting a relapse. This is supported by the patient's history of schizophrenia and the sudden onset of symptoms after a period of stability. Medication nonadherence (choice A) could be a possible cause, but the patient's symptoms are more indicative of a relapse. While psychoeducation (choice B) is important, the patient's current symptoms require immediate attention for relapse management. The chronic nature of his illness (choice C) is a general characteristic of schizophrenia and does not explain the current symptoms.