ATI RN
PICO Question Psychiatric Emergency Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
Select the priority nursing intervention when caring for a patient after an overdose of amphetamines.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Monitor vital signs. This is the priority nursing intervention because amphetamine overdose can lead to serious cardiovascular complications such as tachycardia, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Monitoring vital signs allows the nurse to assess the patient's cardiovascular status and intervene promptly if any abnormalities are detected. Observing for depression (B) is important but not the priority in the immediate aftermath of an overdose. Awakening the patient every 15 minutes (C) may disrupt rest and recovery, which is not ideal. Using warmers to maintain body temperature (D) is not the priority as cardiovascular stability takes precedence.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse prepares for an initial interaction with a patient with a long history of methamphetamine abuse. Which is the nurse's best first action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because self-assessing personal attitudes and beliefs about the health problem is crucial in providing effective care without judgment. This step helps the nurse to approach the patient with empathy and understanding, building trust and rapport. Performing a thorough assessment (choice A) may be premature without establishing a therapeutic relationship first. Verifying security services (choice B) is unnecessary and may escalate the situation. Obtaining a face shield (choice D) is not relevant as it does not address the immediate need for establishing a therapeutic relationship.
Question 3 of 5
The feeling experienced by a patient that should be assessed by the nurse as most predictive of elevated suicide risk is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: hopelessness. Hopelessness is a key predictor of elevated suicide risk as it reflects a sense of despair and lack of belief in positive outcomes. Patients who feel hopeless may be more likely to consider suicide as a way to escape their perceived unending suffering. In contrast, sadness (B) is a common emotion that may not necessarily indicate an immediate suicide risk. Elation (C) is also not indicative of suicide risk, as individuals experiencing high levels of joy are less likely to consider suicide. Anger (D) may be a sign of distress but is not as strongly associated with suicide risk as hopelessness.
Question 4 of 5
Which individual in the emergency department should be considered at highest risk for completing suicide?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the 79-year-old single, white male diagnosed with terminal cancer of the prostate is at the highest risk for completing suicide. This individual is facing a terminal illness, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, increasing the risk of suicide. The other choices do not present such high-risk factors for suicide. A: While the adolescent Asian American girl may face pressures from high achievements and asthma, these factors do not inherently place her at the highest risk for suicide. B: The 38-year-old single, African American female church member with fibrocystic breast disease may face challenges, but they do not indicate a high risk for suicide. C: The 60-year-old married Hispanic man with 12 grandchildren who has type 2 diabetes has family support and does not have as severe risk factors as the individual in choice D.
Question 5 of 5
A confused older adult patient in a skilled nursing facility was asleep when unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) entered the room quietly and touched the bed to see if it was wet. The patient awakened and hit the UAP in the face. Which statement best explains the patient's action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the patient's action of hitting the UAP is likely due to a misinterpretation of the situation as potentially harmful. The patient was asleep and abruptly awakened by a touch, leading to a defensive response. This is a common reaction in situations where individuals feel threatened or startled. The other choices are incorrect because A is a generalization without specific relevance to this scenario, B is not supported by evidence in the question stem, and C assumes the patient learned violent behavior from others, which is not indicated in the scenario.