ATI RN
Age Specific Nursing Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
The family of a patient with schizophrenia who has been stable for a year reports to the community mental health nurse that the patient reports feeling tense and having difficulty concentrating. He sleeps only 3 to 4 hours nightly and has begun to talk about creatures called 'volmers' hiding in the warehouse where he works and undoing his work each night. This information most likely suggests:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: relapse of his schizophrenia. The patient is displaying symptoms such as feeling tense, difficulty concentrating, disturbed sleep, and delusional thoughts about creatures hiding in his workplace. These symptoms indicate a return of psychotic features characteristic of schizophrenia, suggesting a relapse. This is supported by the patient's history of schizophrenia and the sudden onset of symptoms after a period of stability. Medication nonadherence (choice A) could be a possible cause, but the patient's symptoms are more indicative of a relapse. While psychoeducation (choice B) is important, the patient's current symptoms require immediate attention for relapse management. The chronic nature of his illness (choice C) is a general characteristic of schizophrenia and does not explain the current symptoms.
Question 2 of 5
Which neurological deficit(s) would the nurse be most likely to encounter when assessing a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because in schizophrenia, patients may exhibit increased blinking and impaired fine motor skills due to medication side effects or neurological changes. Weakness, loss of function, droopy eyelids with reddened cornea, paralysis, and diminished reflexes are not commonly associated with schizophrenia. It is crucial for the nurse to recognize these neurological deficits to provide appropriate care and support for the patient.
Question 3 of 5
The client lives so completely in a world of her own that she does not eat, drink, or bathe regularly. She is considered to be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Psychotic. The client's behavior of not eating, drinking, or bathing regularly indicates a severe detachment from reality, which is a hallmark of psychosis. Psychotic individuals may have delusions or hallucinations that distort their perception of the world, leading to extreme neglect of basic needs. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not specifically address the profound disconnect from reality exhibited by the client. Exotic refers to something unusual or rare, anorectic relates to an eating disorder, and neurotic typically involves anxiety and emotional instability, none of which fully capture the level of disconnection seen in psychosis.
Question 4 of 5
The client has been taking lithium and fluoxetine (Prozac) for almost a week. During today's assessment, the nurse notes a temperature of 39°C, muscle rigidity, and confusion. The client's signs and symptoms suggest:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This is indicated by the client's elevated temperature, muscle rigidity, and confusion, which are classic symptoms of NMS. NMS is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition associated with the use of antipsychotic medications like lithium and fluoxetine. The onset of NMS is often rapid and can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly. Dystonic reactions (choice A) involve sudden and involuntary muscle contractions, which are not consistent with the client's symptoms. Bradykinesic side effects (choice B) refer to slowed movements, which are not present in this case. Extrapyramidal side effects (choice C) typically include symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and restlessness, but do not encompass the combination of symptoms seen in NMS.
Question 5 of 5
A patient is currently in an abusive relationship with the father of her only child and tells a nurse that her partner 'is really sorry for hitting me and wants to come back and be part of the family again.' The nurse should provide which intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Identify groups that focus on treatment for individuals who are abusive. This intervention is appropriate because it addresses the root cause of the abusive behavior, which is the partner's abusive tendencies. By connecting the abuser to groups that specialize in treating abusive behavior, there is a chance for change and rehabilitation. A: Sharing with the patient that abusers seldom voluntarily stop abusing may not be helpful as it does not provide a proactive solution to address the abusive behavior. C: Telling the patient to continue the relationship and focus on minimizing the abuse is dangerous as it normalizes and enables the abusive behavior, putting the patient at further risk. D: Threatening the patient's partner with reporting to the police may escalate the situation and put the patient at higher risk of harm. It does not address the underlying issue of the partner's abusive behavior.