ATI RN
Behavioral Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) says to the nurse, "That patient with amnesia looks fine, but when I talk to her, she seems vague. What should I be doing for her?" Select the nurse's best reply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disruptions in ability to perform activities of daily living, confusion, and anxiety are often apparent in patients with amnesia. Offering simple directions to promote activities of daily living and reduce confusion helps increase feelings of safety and security. A calm, secure, predictable, protective environment is also helpful when a person is dealing with a great deal of uncertainty. Recollection of memories should proceed at its own pace, and the patient should only gradually be given information about her past. Asking questions that require recall that the patient does not possess will only add frustration. Quiet, undemanding activities should be provided as the patient tolerates them and should be balanced with rest periods; the patient's time should not be loaded with demanding or stimulating activities.
Question 2 of 5
A medical-surgical nurse works with a patient diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder. Care planning is facilitated by understanding that the patient will probably
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of caring for a patient diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder, it is crucial for a medical-surgical nurse to understand the possible patient responses to psychiatric help. The correct answer, B) be resistant to accepting psychiatric help, is based on the typical behavior of individuals with somatic symptom disorder. These patients often struggle to accept or acknowledge the psychological aspects of their symptoms, leading to resistance when offered psychiatric interventions. Option A) readily seek psychiatric counseling is incorrect because individuals with somatic symptom disorder often have difficulty accepting the psychological nature of their symptoms and may be hesitant to seek psychiatric help voluntarily. Option C) attend psychotherapy sessions without encouragement is also incorrect as individuals with this disorder typically resist psychiatric interventions, making it unlikely for them to attend psychotherapy sessions without significant resistance. Option D) be eager to discover the true reasons for physical symptoms is incorrect because individuals with somatic symptom disorder often have a strong belief in the physical nature of their symptoms and may not be eager to explore underlying psychological factors. Educationally, understanding the typical responses of patients with somatic symptom disorder is essential for nurses to provide effective care and support. By recognizing the potential resistance to psychiatric interventions, nurses can tailor their approach to build trust and rapport with the patient, ultimately improving outcomes and promoting holistic care.
Question 3 of 5
A patient who experienced a myocardial infarction was transferred from critical care to a step-down unit. The patient then used the call bell every 15 minutes for minor requests and complaints. Staff nurses reported feeling inadequate and unable to satisfy the patient's needs. When the nurse manager intervenes directly with this patient, which comment is most therapeutic?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This patient is experiencing anxiety associated with a serious medical condition. Verbalization is an effective outlet for anxiety. "I'm wondering if you are anxious "¦" focuses on the emotions underlying the behavior rather than the behavior itself. This opening conveys the nurse's willingness to listen to the patient's feelings and an understanding of the commonly seen concern about not having a nurse always nearby as in the intensive care unit. The other options focus on the behavior or its impact on nursing and do not help the patient with her emotional needs.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse assesses a patient suspected of having somatic symptom disorder. Which assessment findings regarding this patient support the suspected diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: There is no chronic disease to explain the symptoms for patients with somatic symptom disorder. Patients report multiple symptoms; gastrointestinal and pseudoneurological symptoms are common. This disorder is more common in women than in men. Patients with conversion disorder would have a tendency to underrate pain.
Question 5 of 5
An adolescent diagnosed with a CD stole and wrecked a neighbor's motorcycle. Afterward, the adolescent was confronted about the behavior but expressed no remorse. Which variation in the central nervous system best explains the adolescent's reaction?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adolescents with CD have been found to have significantly reduced gray matter bilaterally in the anterior insulate cortex and the amygdala. This reduction may be related to aggressive behavior and deficits of empathy. The less gray matter in these regions of the brain, the less likely adolescents are to feel remorse for their actions or victims. People with intermittent explosive disorder may have differences in serotonin regulation in the brain and higher levels of testosterone. Neuron destruction in the hippocampus is associated with memory deficits. The occipital lobe is involved with visual stimuli but not the processing of emotions.