ATI RN
Psychobiological Disorder Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient undergoing diagnostic tests says, Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest cold. The spouse reports the patient smokes, coughs daily, lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Denial is an unconscious blocking of threatening or painful information or feelings. Regression involves using behaviors appropriate at an earlier stage of psychosexual development. Displacement shifts feelings to a more neutral person or object. Projection attributes ones own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another.
Question 2 of 5
A patient tells a nurse, My new friend is the most perfect person one could imagine: kind, considerate, and good-looking. I cant find a single flaw. This patient is demonstrating:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Idealization is an unconscious process that occurs when the individual attributes exaggerated positive qualities to another. Denial is an unconscious process that would call for the nurse to ignore the existence of the situation. Projection operates unconsciously and would result in blaming behavior. Compensation would result in the nurse unconsciously attempting to make up for a perceived weakness by emphasizing a strong point.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse works with a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who has frequent flashbacks as well as persistent symptoms of arousal. Which intervention should be included in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Persons with posttraumatic stress disorder often experience somatic symptoms or sympathetic nervous system arousal that can be confusing and distressing. Explaining that these are the body's responses to psychological trauma helps the patient understand how such symptoms are part of the illness and something that will respond to treatment. This decreases powerlessness over the symptoms and helps instill a sense of hope. It also helps the patient to understand how relaxation, breathing exercises, and imagery can be helpful in symptom reduction. The goal of treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder is to come to terms with the event so treatment efforts would not include repression of memories or numbing. Triggering flashbacks would increase patient distress.
Question 4 of 5
A wife received news that her husband died of heart failure and called her family to come to the hospital. She angrily tells the nurse who cared for him, 'He would still be alive if you had given him your undivided attention.' Select the nurse's best intervention.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct intervention for the nurse in this scenario is option A) Say to the wife, 'I understand you are feeling upset. I will stay with you until your family comes.' This response demonstrates empathy and active listening towards the wife who is grieving and expressing anger. By acknowledging her emotions and offering to stay with her, the nurse shows support and understanding during a difficult time. This approach helps to establish a therapeutic relationship and provides comfort to the wife in her moment of distress. Option B is incorrect because providing a clinical explanation about the husband's heart condition in response to the wife's emotional outburst is not appropriate at this time. The wife is not seeking a medical explanation but rather emotional support and empathy. Option C is not the best choice as it suggests involving the healthcare provider without addressing the wife's immediate emotional needs. In this situation, the wife requires immediate emotional support rather than a discussion with the healthcare provider. Option D, while showing physical support through holding the wife's hand, lacks verbal communication and acknowledgment of her feelings. Verbal reassurance and empathy are essential in this scenario to address the wife's emotional distress effectively. In an educational context, this scenario highlights the importance of therapeutic communication in nursing practice, especially when dealing with emotionally charged situations. Nurses must be able to demonstrate empathy, active listening, and effective communication skills to provide holistic care to patients and their families during times of crisis and grief.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse who is counseling a patient with dissociative identity disorder should understand that the assessment of highest priority is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessments that relate to patient safety take priority. Patients with dissociative disorders may be at risk for suicide or self-mutilation, so the nurse must be alert for indicators of risk for self-injury. The other options are important assessments but rank below safety. Treatment motivation, while an important consideration, is not necessarily a part of the nursing assessment.