ATI RN
Age Specific Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, disorganized type, approaches the nurse and says, 'It's beat, it's eat. No room for doom.' The nurse can correctly assess this verbalization as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: clanging. Clanging refers to the pattern of speech characterized by the association of words based on sound rather than meaning. In this case, the patient's verbalization, "It's beat, it's eat. No room for doom," demonstrates a connection based on rhyming sounds rather than coherent meaning. This is a classic example of clanging commonly seen in individuals with disorganized schizophrenia. Neologisms (choice A) refer to new words created by the individual, ideas of reference (choice C) involve believing that external events have special significance for oneself, and associative looseness (choice D) pertains to a lack of logical connection between thoughts. These choices are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the patient's speech pattern in this scenario.
Question 2 of 5
The nursing diagnosis most likely to be used for a person who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid type, is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choice A: 1. Schizophrenia, paranoid type, involves mistrust and suspicion. 2. Impaired ability to trust can lead to social isolation. 3. "Impaired ability to trust" directly relates to social isolation. 4. Therefore, "social isolation related to impaired ability to trust" is the most likely nursing diagnosis. Summary of other choices: - B: Not directly related to mistrust in paranoid schizophrenia. - C: Lack of confidence in significant others is not a defining characteristic of paranoid schizophrenia. - D: Impaired memory is not a primary feature of paranoid schizophrenia.
Question 3 of 5
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia approaches the nurse and says, 'Cats eat birds. East now. Job is new. You father.' This speech pattern can be assessed as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: loose associations. This speech pattern is characteristic of loose associations seen in schizophrenia, where thoughts are disorganized and lack logical connections. The patient's statements lack coherence and jump from one topic to another without a clear link. Hyperverbosity (A) refers to excessive speech without a clear point, which is not evident in this scenario. Circumstantiality (B) involves excessive detail before reaching the main point, which is not present here. Expressing delusions (D) would involve holding false beliefs, which are not explicitly stated in the patient's speech.
Question 4 of 5
Drugs that treat individuals with schizophrenia interrupt neurotransmitter pathways in the brain, producing an effect throughout the entire nervous system that is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Calming. Drugs used to treat schizophrenia often target neurotransmitter pathways to reduce symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. By regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine, these drugs help calm the individual's brain activity, leading to a reduction in psychotic symptoms. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because drugs for schizophrenia are not intended to numb, satisfy, or stimulate the nervous system; rather, they aim to restore balance and alleviate distressing symptoms.
Question 5 of 5
A young, newly married adult says, 'My spouse never lets me out of sight. I'm not allowed to do anything on my own, and I'm constantly accused of cheating.' Which nursing communication is most therapeutic for this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "How does your spouse's behavior make you feel?" This question focuses on the patient's emotions, allowing them to express their feelings and validating their experiences. It shows empathy and encourages the patient to explore and understand their own emotional responses to the situation. Choice A focuses on addressing the behavior directly without acknowledging the patient's emotions. Choice C asks for more examples of controlling behavior, which may feel judgmental. Choice D suggests that the spouse's behavior is justified, which can further invalidate the patient's feelings. Overall, choice B is the most therapeutic as it promotes emotional exploration and support.