ATI RN
Psychobiological Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
Four teenagers died in an automobile accident. One week later, which behavior by the parents of these teenagers most clearly demonstrates resilience? The parents who:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Resilience refers to positive adaptation or the ability to maintain or regain mental health despite adversity. Loss of a child is among the highest-risk situations for maladaptive grieving. The parents who create a scholarship fund are openly expressing their feelings and memorializing their child. The other parents in this question are isolating themselves and/or denying their feelings. Visiting the grave daily shows active continued mourning but is not as strongly indicative of resilience as the correct response.
Question 2 of 5
A patient states, 'I feel detached and weird all the time. It is as though I am looking at life through a cloudy window. Everything seems unreal. It really messes up things at work and school.' This scenario is most suggestive of which health problem?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Depersonalization disorder involves a persistent or recurrent experience of feeling detached from and outside oneself. Although reality testing is intact, the experience causes significant impairment in social or occupational functioning and distress to the individual. Dissociative amnesia involves memory loss. Children with disinhibited social engagement disorder demonstrate no normal fear of strangers and are unusually willing to go off with strangers. Individuals with ASD experience three or more dissociative symptoms associated with a traumatic event, such as a subjective sense of numbing, detachment, or absence of emotional responsiveness; a reduction in awareness of surroundings; derealization; depersonalization or dissociative amnesia. In the scenario, the patient experiences only one symptom.
Question 3 of 5
The gas pedal on a person's car stuck on a busy interstate highway, causing the car to accelerate rapidly. For 20 minutes, the car was very difficult to control. Afterward, this person's cortisol regulation was compromised. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect associated with the dysregulation of cortisol?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress. Severe dissociation or mindflight occurs for those who have suffered significant trauma. The episodic failure of dissociation causes intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks, thus dysregulating cortisol. The cortisol level may go up or down, so diuresis and/or weight gain may or may not occur. Answering this question correctly requires that the student apply prior learning regarding the effects of cortisol.
Question 4 of 5
A soldier returned 3 months ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which social event would be most disturbing for this soldier?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D) Fireworks display on July 4th. This event can trigger distress in a soldier with PTSD due to the loud, sudden noises resembling gunfire or explosions, which are common triggers for PTSD symptoms. Fireworks can evoke intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and flashback experiences in individuals with PTSD, as they can remind them of traumatic experiences in combat zones. Option A) Halloween festival with neighborhood children may not be as distressing for the soldier with PTSD as it is a more predictable and controlled environment without sudden loud noises or triggers related to combat experiences. Option B) Singing carols around a Christmas tree is a peaceful and joyous activity that is less likely to trigger PTSD symptoms compared to the sudden and loud nature of fireworks. Option C) A family outing to the seashore is a relaxing and calming experience that is unlikely to evoke the same level of distress and triggers as a fireworks display. Educationally, understanding PTSD triggers and their impact on individuals is crucial for healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers to provide appropriate support and create safe environments for individuals with PTSD. It is essential to be aware of potential triggers to prevent re-traumatization and promote the well-being of individuals living with psychobiological disorders like PTSD.
Question 5 of 5
A soldier returned home last year after deployment to a war zone. The soldier's spouse complains, 'We were going to start a family, but now he won't talk about it. He will not look at children. I wonder if we're going to make it as a couple.' Select the nurse's best response.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D) Posttraumatic stress disorder often strains relationships. Here are some community resources for help and support. This response is the best because it acknowledges the potential impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on relationships and offers tangible support by providing information about community resources. PTSD can indeed affect intimacy, communication, and family planning. By offering resources, the nurse empowers the spouse to seek help for both the soldier and themselves, promoting holistic well-being for the couple. Option A is incorrect because it addresses only sexual functioning, whereas the spouse's concerns are broader. Option B is inappropriate as it overlooks the need for addressing the underlying issues. Option C lacks empathy and understanding of the complexities of PTSD and suggests a confrontational approach, which may not be helpful in this situation. In an educational context, it's crucial for healthcare providers to understand the multifaceted impact of psychobiological disorders like PTSD on individuals and their relationships. Nurses need to be able to provide empathetic support, offer resources, and facilitate access to appropriate interventions to promote the overall health of their patients and their families.