ATI RN
Population Based Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with bulimia nervosa who is engaging in purging behaviors?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The priority nursing intervention for a patient with bulimia nervosa engaging in purging behaviors is to monitor electrolyte levels and cardiac function. This is crucial due to the potential electrolyte imbalances and cardiac complications resulting from purging behaviors. Monitoring these parameters helps prevent life-threatening conditions such as hypokalemia and arrhythmias. Option B is incorrect as self-monitoring of food intake may not address the immediate health risks associated with purging behaviors. Option C is also incorrect as emotional support and body image acceptance are important but not the immediate priority in this case. Option D is incorrect as focusing on weight loss through diet control can exacerbate the patient's eating disorder behaviors and does not address the urgent medical concerns associated with purging.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with an eating disorder states, 'I heard people laughing behind me in the check-out line at the department store. I bet they thought it was hysterically funny that I gained a pound in the last few days.' The nurse documents that the patient is exhibiting which cognitive distortion related to maladaptive eating regulation responses?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Personalization. Personalization is a cognitive distortion where an individual attributes external events to themselves without any evidence. In this case, the patient is assuming that people laughing were directed at them and related to their weight gain, which is a distorted belief. A: Magnification involves blowing things out of proportion, which is not evident in this scenario. C: Overgeneralization involves drawing broad conclusions based on a single incident, which is not happening here. D: Dichotomous thinking involves seeing things in black and white terms, which is not demonstrated in the patient's statement. In summary, the patient's attribution of others' laughter to their weight gain without evidence aligns with the cognitive distortion of personalization, making it the correct choice.
Question 3 of 5
A patient tells a nurse, 'The others won't give me my pain meds early, but you are more understanding, you know what it's like to be in pain, and you don't want to see your patients suffer. Could you find a way to get me my pill now? I won't tell anyone.' Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: Acknowledge the patient's pain and show understanding. Step 2: Emphasize the importance of safety in medication administration. Step 3: Set clear boundaries by explaining why giving medicine too soon is unsafe. Step 4: Reiterate empathy for the patient's pain while prioritizing safety. Summary: Answer D is correct as it acknowledges the patient's pain, emphasizes safety, sets clear boundaries, and maintains empathy. Other choices either ignore the patient's request, defer responsibility, or solely focus on safety without empathy.
Question 4 of 5
An individual accompanied by a sibling was brought by ambulance to the emergency room with suspected impaired cognitive function. The patient's aggressive behavior and attempts to get out of bed present a safety issue. The nurse should first consider:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: using a calm tone to orient the patient. This is the most appropriate initial intervention because it aims to address the patient's aggressive behavior by providing reassurance and attempting to reorient them to their surroundings. Using a calm tone can help de-escalate the situation and improve communication with the patient. Applying four-point restraints (choice A) should be avoided as it is a restrictive measure that should only be used as a last resort to ensure patient safety. Leaving the patient alone with the sibling (choice C) may exacerbate the safety issue, as the sibling may not be equipped to manage the situation. Calling for security guards to hold the patient down (choice D) is a forceful approach that should be avoided until all other options have been exhausted.
Question 5 of 5
A patient diagnosed with dementia associated with excessive alcohol use tells a nurse, "Last week I had to take my baby to the hospital for major surgery. That's why I've been so nervous and needed to come here." The nurse is aware that the patient has never parented any children. The symptom described can be assessed as:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: confabulation. Confabulation is the production of fabricated or distorted memories without the conscious intention to deceive. In this case, the patient is creating a false memory about having a baby and needing to take it to the hospital, which is not based on reality. Akathisia (A) is a movement disorder associated with restlessness, not memory distortion. Intellectualization (C) is a defense mechanism involving excessive focus on facts to avoid uncomfortable emotions, not memory fabrication. Magical thinking (D) involves believing that one's thoughts can influence events, not creating false memories.