ATI RN
Age Specific Patient Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with borderline personality disorder has cut her wrists. The physician orders daily dressing changes for the lacerations. The nurse performing this care should:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: provide care in a matter-of-fact manner. This approach is important in treating patients with borderline personality disorder as it helps maintain boundaries and consistency, which are crucial for managing their condition. By being matter-of-fact, the nurse can prevent potential manipulation or reinforcement of maladaptive behaviors. Encouraging the patient to vent anger (choice A) may escalate the situation. Being overly sympathetic (choice C) can blur professional boundaries. Offering to listen to feelings (choice D) may reinforce the behavior and not address the underlying issues effectively.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient with bulimia nervosa who is experiencing electrolyte imbalances?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Monitoring the patient's heart rate and electrolyte levels closely is crucial in managing electrolyte imbalances in patients with bulimia nervosa. Electrolyte imbalances, often caused by purging behaviors, can lead to serious complications like cardiac arrhythmias. Close monitoring allows for timely interventions such as electrolyte replacement therapy to prevent cardiac issues. A: Encouraging the patient to drink fluids and increase food intake is not the priority when dealing with electrolyte imbalances as it may worsen the imbalance. C: Providing high-protein foods may be beneficial for overall nutrition but does not address the immediate need to correct electrolyte imbalances. D: Instructing the patient to avoid physical exercise is not directly related to managing electrolyte imbalances and may not address the underlying issue effectively.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is educating a patient with anorexia nervosa about nutrition. What should the nurse focus on?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because promoting gradual weight gain and nutritional rehabilitation is essential in treating anorexia nervosa. Rapid weight gain can lead to medical complications and mental distress. Providing a low-calorie diet (C) contradicts the goal of weight gain. Focusing on weight maintenance without discussing food intake (D) neglects the importance of nutrition in recovery.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa. What is the most important aspect of the treatment plan?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To provide a structured meal plan and monitor food intake. This is crucial in the treatment of bulimia nervosa as it helps establish regular eating patterns, prevent binge episodes, and promote healthy nutrition. Providing structure and monitoring food intake also helps in addressing underlying psychological issues related to disordered eating. Encouraging purging behaviors (choice A) can worsen the condition and lead to serious health complications. Focusing solely on weight loss (choice C) may reinforce unhealthy behaviors and neglect the holistic approach needed for recovery. Offering therapy focused only on body image (choice D) overlooks the critical component of addressing eating behaviors and nutritional needs.
Question 5 of 5
The client tells the nurse, 'I thought my psychiatrist was the best doctor in the world. I thought he understood me completely. Now, I hate him! He doesn't understand me at all. He's just dumping me to go on a 2-week vacation.' The nurse assesses the client's description of feelings about the physician as evidence of the use of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Splitting. Splitting is a defense mechanism where a person sees things in extremes of either all good or all bad. In this scenario, the client initially idealizes the psychiatrist as the best doctor, then suddenly devalues and hates him for taking a vacation, indicating a shift from all good to all bad. This extreme change in perception is characteristic of splitting. B: Projective identification involves projecting one's own feelings onto another person and then identifying with those projected feelings. This choice does not fit the scenario as the client is not projecting their feelings onto the psychiatrist. C: Isolation of affect refers to the separation of feelings from ideas and events. The client's strong emotions towards the psychiatrist do not demonstrate a lack of emotional expression or detachment from feelings. D: Dissociation is a defense mechanism where thoughts, feelings, and experiences are separated from conscious awareness. The client's reaction does not suggest a disconnection from reality or consciousness.