ATI RN
Age Specific Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
The elderly spouse of a female Alzheimer's client states that his wife seems to wander aimlessly from room to room looking for things in incorrect places, such as kitchen utensils in the bedroom and laundry detergent in the kitchen. He asks the nurse for suggestions of what he can do to help her. What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Place large signs on doors or entryways that identify the room. This is the best response because it directly addresses the issue of the client's confusion and disorientation by providing clear visual cues to help her navigate the home environment effectively. By labeling the rooms with large signs, the client can easily recognize where she is and find what she needs. This strategy helps reduce her anxiety and frustration, promoting a sense of independence and safety. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not specifically target the client's cognitive challenges related to Alzheimer's disease. Keeping rooms well lit, having a simple environment, and using clocks with large letters are helpful suggestions but do not address the primary issue of the client's spatial disorientation and confusion. Placing large signs on doors directly addresses the client's specific needs and is the most effective strategy in this situation.
Question 2 of 5
A victim of a sexual assault sits in the emergency department rocking back and forth. This behavior is characteristic of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The acute phase reaction. This behavior is common in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event like sexual assault. The victim may exhibit physical and emotional symptoms such as rocking back and forth, confusion, disorientation, and numbness. This reaction is a natural response to the overwhelming stress and trauma experienced. Choice B, the angry stage of rape, is incorrect as it does not capture the immediate post-assault response. Choice C, trauma syndrome, is too vague and does not specifically address the behavior described. Choice D, None of the above, is incorrect as the victim's behavior aligns with the acute phase reaction typically seen in trauma survivors.
Question 3 of 5
A client seen by the rape crisis nurse 1 month after the incident states, 'I'm confused and just not myself. I have mood swings during the day, and I have nightmares at night. Sometimes I think I'm going crazy.' Other times, she is just plain afraid to be alone. The nurse should assess the client for:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trauma syndrome. This choice is correct because the client's symptoms of confusion, mood swings, nightmares, feeling like they are going crazy, and fear of being alone align with the criteria for trauma syndrome. This syndrome encompasses a range of symptoms that occur after experiencing a traumatic event, such as rape. Choice B: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not the best option in this case because the client's symptoms are more indicative of acute distress and confusion rather than the criteria for a formal diagnosis of PTSD, which typically requires the persistence of symptoms over time. Choice C: Acute stress disorder is also not the most appropriate choice because while some symptoms may align, the duration and specific criteria for this disorder may not fully match the client's presentation. Choice D: None of the above is incorrect as trauma syndrome best fits the client's symptoms based on the information provided.
Question 4 of 5
A patient with fluctuating levels of awareness, confusion, and disorientation shouts, 'The bugs, they are crawling on my legs! Get them off me!' The nurse's inspections show that no bugs are present. The nurse can best assess this presentation as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tactile hallucinations. Tactile hallucinations involve the perception of physical sensations such as bugs crawling on the skin when no external stimuli are present. In this scenario, the patient's complaint of bugs crawling on their legs despite the nurse's inspection confirming the absence of bugs indicates a sensory hallucination, specifically a tactile one. This is different from perseveration (repetition of a particular response or activity) and hypermetamorphosis (excessive attention to environmental details). Choosing "None of the above" would not address the specific symptom of tactile hallucinations described in the patient's presentation.
Question 5 of 5
Which information would be important to incorporate when teaching about medications for dementia in a caregiver's support group? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it accurately conveys important information about medications for dementia to caregivers. It emphasizes that most medications do not significantly improve functioning but may slow disease progression in a subset of patients. This is crucial for setting realistic expectations. Choice A is incorrect because antipsychotic medications are not the most useful category of drugs for reducing behavioral problems in dementia; they are associated with serious side effects and should be used cautiously. Choice C is incorrect because it is essential for caregivers to understand that medications do not cure dementia; managing symptoms and slowing progression are the primary goals. Choice D is incorrect as the correct answer is B, which provides valuable information for caregivers to understand the limitations and benefits of medications for dementia.