The nurse is assessing a 75-year-old male patient. At the beginning of the mental status portion of the assessment, the nurse expects that this patient:

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Question 1 of 5

The nurse is assessing a 75-year-old male patient. At the beginning of the mental status portion of the assessment, the nurse expects that this patient:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer C: - As individuals age, it is normal to experience a slight decline in cognitive abilities, such as response time. - However, general knowledge and abilities are usually well-preserved in older adults. - It is expected that the 75-year-old patient may take a little longer to respond due to age-related changes but should not have a significant decline in general knowledge. Summary of Incorrect Choices: - Choice A is incorrect because it is unrealistic to expect no decrease in any abilities with age. - Choice B is incorrect because while remote memory may decline with age, it is not a universal expectation for all older adults. - Choice D is incorrect as it inaccurately attributes language loss and a decrease in general knowledge to all older adults.

Question 2 of 5

A patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. During a recent interview, he shows the nurse a picture of a man holding a decapitated head. He describes this picture as horrifying but laughs loudly when looking at it. This behaviour is a display of:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inappropriate affect. Inappropriate affect refers to emotions that are not congruent with the situation. In this case, the patient's laughing while describing a horrifying image indicates a disconnect between his emotions and the context. This behavior is commonly seen in schizophrenia, where there is a lack of appropriate emotional response. A: Confusion does not accurately describe the patient's behavior, as he is able to describe the picture and his emotional response to it. B: Ambivalence refers to conflicting emotions or attitudes, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. C: Depersonalization involves feeling detached from oneself or reality, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. In summary, the patient's inappropriate laughter in response to a horrifying image is indicative of inappropriate affect, a common feature of schizophrenia.

Question 3 of 5

A 45-year-old woman suffered a head injury in a car accident. A few months after recovering from her injuries, she is unable to differentiate between hot and cold and is unsure of how to dress for the weather. This is an example of:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Agnosia. Agnosia is the inability to recognize or interpret sensory information, such as temperature or clothing. In this case, the woman's inability to differentiate between hot and cold and dress appropriately for the weather indicates a sensory processing issue, characteristic of agnosia. A: Mania is a mood disorder characterized by extreme excitement and impulsivity, not related to sensory perception issues. C: Dementia is a broad term for cognitive decline, which typically includes memory loss and impaired decision-making, but not necessarily sensory perception deficits. D: Amnestic disorder refers to memory impairment, not the inability to interpret sensory information.

Question 4 of 5

The nurse notices that the patient has a solid, elevated, circumscribed lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter. When documenting this finding, the nurse would report this as a:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Papule. A papule is a solid, elevated lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter. It is circumscribed, meaning it has well-defined borders. Papules are often associated with skin conditions like acne or insect bites. A: Bulla is a large fluid-filled blister, not a solid lesion. B: Wheal is a raised, red area of skin that is typically transient and caused by an allergic reaction. C: Nodule is a solid, elevated lesion that is greater than 1 cm in diameter, not less than 1 cm.

Question 5 of 5

A nurse is teaching a patient about managing high cholesterol. Which of the following dietary changes would be most beneficial for lowering cholesterol?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreasing intake of trans fats. Trans fats are known to increase LDL cholesterol levels, which are considered "bad" cholesterol. By reducing trans fats in the diet, the patient can lower their cholesterol levels. Saturated fats (choice A) can also increase LDL cholesterol, so increasing intake is not beneficial. Dietary fiber (choice B) helps lower cholesterol by binding to cholesterol in the digestive system, so decreasing intake would not be beneficial. Processed sugars (choice D) do not directly impact cholesterol levels, so increasing intake would not help lower cholesterol. Overall, choosing option C is the most effective dietary change for managing high cholesterol.

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