ATI RN
Target Healthcare Questions
Question 1 of 5
During a treatment team meeting, the point is made that a client with schizophrenia has recovered from the acute psychosis but continues to demonstrate apathy, avolition, and blunted affect. The nurse who relates these symptoms to serotonin (SHT2) excess will suggest that the client receive:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is the correct choice because it is an atypical antipsychotic that targets serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2 receptors known to be involved in negative symptoms of schizophrenia like apathy, avolition, and blunted affect. Olanzapine's mechanism of action helps alleviate these symptoms by modulating serotonin levels in the brain. Incorrect Choices: A: Haloperidol and B: Chlorpromazine are typical antipsychotics that primarily target dopamine receptors and are less effective in treating negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia. D: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, not schizophrenia symptoms related to serotonin excess.
Question 2 of 5
A newly admitted patient with schizophrenia approaches the unit nurse and says, 'The voices are bothering me. They are yelling and telling me stuff. They are really bad.' Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it demonstrates active listening and empathy, which can help establish trust and rapport with the patient. By saying, "I'll stay with you. Tell me what you are hearing," the nurse acknowledges the patient's distress and offers support. This response can help the patient feel heard and understood, which is crucial in managing symptoms of schizophrenia. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses more on the frequency rather than addressing the immediate distress. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes the patient has a plan to escape the voices, which may not be the case and can escalate the situation. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the patient's experience and suggests distraction rather than addressing the underlying issue.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with schizophrenia begins to talk about creatures called 'volmers' hiding in the warehouse where he works and undoing his work each night. The term 'volmers' most likely represents:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: a neologism. In schizophrenia, patients often create new words (neologisms) that have no meaning outside of their delusional context. The term 'volmers' is a made-up word by the patient, indicating a loss of touch with reality. Clanging (B) is a speech pattern characterized by rhyming or punning words, not creating new words. Anhedonia (C) refers to the inability to experience pleasure, unrelated to creating new words. Alogia (D) is a decrease in speech or thought productivity, not related to inventing new words. In this case, the patient's use of 'volmers' is indicative of a neologism associated with schizophrenia.
Question 4 of 5
During occupational therapy a young patient diagnosed with schizophrenia sits staring at a piece of paper. Which response is most therapeutic at this time?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it provides a clear and simple directive that guides the patient on what to do next, promoting engagement in the therapeutic activity. By instructing the patient to rub the glue stick on the back of the paper, it helps redirect their focus and encourages participation in the task. Choice A is incorrect as it allows the patient to disengage from the activity, which does not promote therapeutic progress. Choice B assumes the patient is anxious without evidence and may not address the core issue. Choice C is incorrect as it may not be relevant to the patient's current state and may further confuse or frustrate them.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse observes a patient who is sitting alone in a room put hands over both ears and vigorously shake her head as though saying, 'No.' Later the patient cries and mutters, 'You don't know what you're talking about! Leave me alone.' What assessment should the nurse attempt to validate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The patient is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The patient's behavior of covering both ears and shaking her head as if responding to voices, along with muttering and crying, suggests a sensory perception that is not based on external stimuli. This aligns with the characteristic symptoms of auditory hallucinations, which are common in conditions like schizophrenia. Choice A is incorrect because the patient's behavior is not necessarily seeking attention but rather responding to internal stimuli. Choice B is incorrect as the patient's emotional expression seems to be a result of the auditory hallucinations rather than being inappropriate. Choice D is incorrect as negative symptoms of schizophrenia typically involve a decrease or absence of normal functions, which is not clearly demonstrated in this scenario.