ATI RN
Population Specific Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the priority intervention for a nurse caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assist the patient to identify triggers to binge eating. This intervention is crucial for managing bulimia nervosa as it helps address the root cause of the behavior. By identifying triggers, the patient can develop strategies to avoid or cope with them, ultimately reducing the frequency of binge eating episodes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because providing consequences for weight loss may reinforce unhealthy behaviors, assessing for impulsive eating is not addressing the underlying triggers, and exploring needs for health teaching is not as immediate and targeted as identifying triggers for binge eating.
Question 2 of 5
After being raped, a woman was told by her aunt, 'I'm not surprised that happened to you. You were asking for it.' A few days later, a friend told her, 'Well after all, he took you to dinner. He expected something in return.' The victim states, 'I can't believe that people can think that way.' The rape crisis nurse correctly hypothesizes that the client is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Experiencing cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort or conflict that occurs when a person's beliefs or attitudes are inconsistent with their actions or experiences. In this scenario, the woman is facing conflicting beliefs - she knows she did not ask for or deserve to be raped, yet the comments from her aunt and friend suggest otherwise. This leads to the woman feeling disbelief and distress. Summary: B: In denial about the rape - This choice does not address the conflicting beliefs the woman is experiencing. C: Seeking validation from others - While seeking validation may be a natural response, it does not capture the essence of cognitive dissonance in this context.
Question 3 of 5
A widow, aged 72 years, lives alone and is visited weekly by her son. She takes digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, and an antihypertensive drug. She also has a prescription for diazepam (Valium) as needed for moderate to severe anxiety. When the son visited today, he found his mother confused and disoriented, with an unsteady gait. The nurse assessed the patient as having several cognitive problems, including memory and attention deficits and fluctuating levels of orientation. The nurse confirms that the patient's symptoms developed:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Over the past few days. The sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, and cognitive deficits in the elderly patient suggests an acute change in her condition. This acute change is more indicative of a recent event or medication-related issue rather than a gradual decline over weeks or months. The sudden onset could be due to factors such as medication interactions, overdose, or underlying medical conditions. It is crucial to investigate recent changes in medications, lab results, or any other potential triggers that might have led to this acute cognitive decline. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they imply a gradual decline over weeks, months, or no specific timeframe, which does not align with the sudden onset observed in the patient.
Question 4 of 5
The head nurse on a unit that serves persons with cognitive impairment is concerned about her staff, many of whom seem to be becoming 'burned out' by their challenging work. Which response by the head nurse is most likely to minimize staff frustration and burnout on the unit? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because educating staff about realistic expectations for working with persons with cognitive impairment can help them understand the challenges they may face and develop appropriate coping strategies. This knowledge can reduce frustration and burnout by promoting a better understanding of the patients' needs and behaviors. Choice B, arranging for 12-hour shifts, may actually increase staff burnout as longer shifts can be physically and mentally taxing. Choice C, guiding staff to use small, realistic goals, while helpful in patient care, may not directly address staff burnout. Therefore, the most effective approach to minimize staff frustration and burnout in this scenario is education on realistic expectations.
Question 5 of 5
Appropriate teaching for a patient with bulimia nervosa who binges and purges is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. A: Not skipping meals or restricting food promotes regular eating patterns, helps stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduces the urge to binge. 2. B: Eating a small meal after purging could reinforce the binge-purge cycle and is not a healthy approach. 3. C: Eating a large breakfast but skipping lunch can lead to imbalanced eating habits and is not recommended for treating bulimia nervosa. 4. D: None of the above options provide a comprehensive and effective approach to managing bulimia nervosa symptoms.