ATI RN
Age Specific Populations Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with many positive symptoms of schizophrenia, whose behavior is disorganized and who is highly anxious, tells the nurse in the psychiatric emergency department, 'You have got to help me. I do not know what is going on. I think someone is trying to wipe me out. I have to get a gun.' The patient, a college student, lives alone and has no family or support system in the immediate area. He has not left his room in 2 weeks, has not eaten in several days, and is unkempt. Of the available treatment settings, the nurse should recommend:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: inpatient hospitalization on a locked unit. This option is the most appropriate given the patient's presentation. The patient is experiencing severe positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and disorganized behavior, posing a risk to himself and others by expressing intent to obtain a gun. Additionally, the patient is neglecting basic needs, indicating a need for close monitoring and intervention. Inpatient hospitalization on a locked unit provides a structured and secure environment for intensive treatment, ensuring safety and stabilization. Incorrect choices: A: Admission to an unlocked residential crisis unit may not provide the level of monitoring and security needed for a patient with active psychotic symptoms and self-harm potential. C: Attending a day treatment program for 4 weeks does not address the acute safety concerns and level of impairment displayed by the patient. D: Admission to a partial hospital program may not offer the round-the-clock supervision and immediate intervention required for someone at risk of harming themselves or others.
Question 2 of 5
A patient was admitted in a semistuporous catatonic state. Family states that the patient has neither left the apartment nor attended to personal hygiene for several weeks. The patient's last 48 hours have been spent lying in bed, mute and motionless. The nursing diagnosis that should be considered the priority is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: self-care deficit. This nursing diagnosis should be considered the priority because the patient is unable to attend to personal hygiene and has been lying in bed motionless and mute for 48 hours, indicating a significant impairment in self-care abilities. This is a critical issue that needs immediate attention to prevent further deterioration in the patient's physical and mental health. Choice B: situational low self-esteem is not the priority as the patient's current state is more indicative of physical neglect rather than a self-esteem issue. Choice C: disturbed thought processes may be a contributing factor to the patient's presentation, but the priority at this moment is addressing the self-care deficit to ensure the patient's safety and well-being. Choice D: impaired verbal communication, while important, is not the priority in this scenario as the patient's inability to communicate verbally is secondary to the urgent need for assistance with self-care.
Question 3 of 5
The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia must be present for at least _____ months before a diagnostic label is assigned.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (12 months) because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) requires symptoms to be present for at least 6 months before a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be made. This prolonged duration helps ensure that the symptoms are not due to temporary factors. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate choice. Options A (3 months), B (6 months), and D (18 months) do not align with the established diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia.
Question 4 of 5
Which of these nursing interventions would be most effective when using an empowerment model of intervention with an individual who has been abused?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it acknowledges the individual's evolving perspective and empowers them to recognize positive changes post-separation. This approach helps the individual build confidence in their decision-making process and fosters self-awareness. Choice A focuses on past actions without addressing the current situation, Choice C uses a confrontational tone that may cause the individual to feel judged or defensive, and Choice D suggests a passive acceptance of returning to an abusive situation without promoting autonomy or self-efficacy.
Question 5 of 5
An adolescent claims to have been physically abused by a parent. The adolescent's other parent angrily tells the nurse, 'It's ridiculous for our child to accuse my spouse, who's a prominent doctor and is respected by the community.' Which of these nursing communications would be most effective for the parent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. This response challenges the parent's belief that abuse does not exist in respected families, highlighting the misconception that abuse can happen in any family. 2. It addresses the parent's disbelief directly, encouraging them to reconsider their assumptions and beliefs about abuse. 3. It promotes critical thinking and reflection on the parent's part, fostering a more open-minded and empathetic approach towards the adolescent's disclosure. Summary of Other Choices: B: This choice focuses on the stress of the accused parent, deflecting from the issue of abuse and potentially excusing their behavior. C: This choice acknowledges the difficulty of the situation but does not effectively challenge the parent's disbelief or misconceptions about abuse. D: This choice uses a positive characteristic of the accused parent to deflect from the allegations of abuse, which does not address the parent's denial or the seriousness of the situation.