ATI RN
Age Specific Care Competency Questions
Question 1 of 5
An 11-year-old boy stays home from school to care for his siblings while his mother works, because the family cannot afford a babysitter. During the community mental health nurse's visit, he reveals that he thinks his father does not like him because he calls him 'stupid' all the time. He states he is too dumb to learn much and has no friends at school because he does not deserve them. Which nursing diagnosis should be the priority for the child?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Chronic low self-esteem. This diagnosis is appropriate because the child displays a negative self-concept, feeling unworthy, lacking confidence, and believing he is "stupid" and undeserving of friends. This impacts his self-worth and psychological well-being. Chronic low self-esteem is the priority to address as it affects various aspects of his life. Choice A: Helplessness may seem relevant due to the family situation, but the child's core issue is more about self-worth than feeling helpless in his situation. Choice B: Knowledge deficit is not the priority as the child's issue lies more in his emotional well-being rather than lack of information. Choice C: Ineffective coping might be a concern, but the root of his struggles is his self-esteem, making chronic low self-esteem the primary focus.
Question 2 of 5
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia is hypervigilant and constantly scans the environment. He states that he saw two doctors talking in the hall and knows they were plotting to kill him. When charting, how should the nurse identify this behavior?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Idea of reference. This patient's belief that the doctors were plotting to kill him is an example of an idea of reference, a symptom of paranoia common in paranoid schizophrenia. This term refers to the belief that neutral actions or events are directed at oneself. Delusion of infidelity (B) involves false beliefs about a partner's infidelity, not relevant here. Auditory hallucination (C) is false perception of sound, not applicable. Echolalia (D) is the repetition of words or phrases, not seen in this scenario. Identifying the behavior as an idea of reference helps the nurse understand the patient's distorted perception and tailor interventions effectively.
Question 3 of 5
A patient has schizophrenia and is troubled by negative symptoms, muscle stiffness, and motor restlessness. His Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is considering changing the patient's antipsychotic medication, haloperidol (Haldol, a typical or first generation antipsychotic drug). For planning purposes, which medication can the nurse assume that the APN will probably choose?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Olanzapine (Zyprexa). Olanzapine is an atypical or second-generation antipsychotic known for effectively treating negative symptoms, muscle stiffness, and motor restlessness in schizophrenia. It has a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects compared to typical antipsychotics like haloperidol. Chlorpromazine (A) is a typical antipsychotic with similar side effect profiles as haloperidol. Clozapine (B) is an atypical antipsychotic but is typically reserved for treatment-resistant cases due to its potential for serious side effects. Fluoxetine (D) is an antidepressant and not typically used for treating the symptoms described in the question. Therefore, the APN will likely choose Olanzapine to address the patient's symptoms effectively with a lower risk of side effects.
Question 4 of 5
A patient, aged 82 years, has Alzheimer's disease. She lives with her daughter's family and goes to a day care facility on weekdays. The nurse at the day care center noticed the patient was unkempt and had multiple bruises. When the daughter arrived to pick her up, the nurse discussed her observations. The daughter became defensive and said that her mother was very difficult to manage. She stated, "My mother is not my mother anymore. She is confused, and she wanders all night. We have to watch her constantly. Last night I fell asleep, and she fell down the stairs. Sometimes I just cannot bear to care for her." Which nursing diagnosis would be most important to address for this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Risk for injury related to impaired cognition, judgment, and coordination and lack of caregiver supervision. The rationale is that the patient's Alzheimer's disease has led to impaired cognitive function, making her at risk for injury due to wandering and falls. The daughter's lack of supervision and inability to manage the patient's needs further exacerbate this risk. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the immediate safety concern of the patient being at risk for injury. Nonadherence, anxiety, and impaired communication are important issues but do not take precedence over the patient's safety in this context.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse interviews a patient abducted and raped at gunpoint by an unknown assailant. The patient says, "I can't talk about it. Nothing happened. I have to forget." What is the patient's present coping strategy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Denial. The patient's statement of "I can't talk about it. Nothing happened. I have to forget" indicates a denial coping strategy. Denial is a defense mechanism where individuals refuse to acknowledge a stressful situation or event. In this case, the patient is attempting to block out the traumatic experience of being abducted and raped by denying its existence. This coping mechanism helps the individual temporarily avoid the emotional distress associated with the event. A: Somatization involves expressing emotional distress through physical symptoms, which is not evident in the patient's statement. B: Repression is the unconscious blocking of unpleasant memories, whereas the patient is consciously trying to forget the event. C: Projection involves attributing one's own thoughts or feelings to others, which is not demonstrated in the patient's statement. In summary, the patient's use of denial as a coping strategy is evident in their attempt to minimize the traumatic experience by refusing to acknowledge it.