When a hospitalized patient dies, his wife stares blankly and states, "It can’t be." This indicates:

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Kaplan and Sadocks Synopsis of Psychiatry Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 5

When a hospitalized patient dies, his wife stares blankly and states, "It can’t be." This indicates:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B (Shock and disbelief) Rationale: 1. The wife's blank stare and statement "It can’t be" suggest a state of disbelief and being stunned by the news of her husband's death, indicating shock. 2. Shock is a common initial reaction to unexpected and distressing events, such as the sudden death of a loved one. 3. This choice is the most fitting based on the wife's reaction of disbelief and being unable to accept the reality of the situation. Summary: A: Despair and protest - Despair involves a sense of hopelessness, not evident in the wife's initial reaction. Protest implies a more active response, while the wife's reaction is passive. C: Anger and hostility - There is no indication of anger or hostility in the wife's initial response; rather, it is characterized by disbelief. D: Disorganization and confusion - While the wife may feel disorganized and confused later, her initial response reflects more shock and disbelief than disorganization

Question 2 of 5

Which statement best explains how a mother of several children should prepare to help them cope with the loss of a dear aunt?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because each child will indeed grieve in a unique way and on their own timetable. This approach recognizes the individuality of each child's emotions and coping mechanisms. By understanding and respecting their differences, the mother can provide tailored support and comfort. Option B oversimplifies the grieving process and ignores the complexity of individual responses. Option C generalizes the stages of grief for all people and does not account for variations in how children may process loss. Option D incorrectly suggests that extreme reactions are more common in young children, which is not necessarily true as grief responses can vary widely among children.

Question 3 of 5

Which intervention best reflects the nursing role regarding effective implementation of behavioral therapy goals?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because evaluating patient behaviors to reward economic tokens appropriately is a key aspect of behavioral therapy. By assessing and reinforcing positive behaviors with rewards, nurses can encourage patients to continue working towards their therapy goals. Administering medications accurately (choice A) is important but not directly related to behavioral therapy goals. Interacting effectively with the health care team (choice B) is important for overall patient care but does not specifically address behavioral therapy. Being aware of therapeutic modalities (choice C) is important but does not directly contribute to implementing behavioral therapy goals like choice D does.

Question 4 of 5

The nurse is determining whether the patient’s needs could be best met in a task or a process group. The decision is based on the understanding that a task group focuses on:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The "here and now." In a task group, the focus is on addressing specific goals, tasks, and problem-solving in the present moment. This approach helps members work together efficiently to achieve objectives. Communication styles (B) are more relevant in a group focused on improving communication skills. Relations among the members (C) are typically emphasized in a process group, where the focus is on interpersonal dynamics and relationships. Choice D is incomplete and does not align with the purpose of a task group.

Question 5 of 5

When sharing her feelings about separating from a therapy group, the patient stated, “I feel a bit sad and empty that I won’t be seeing you folks again.” What is the most accurate evaluation of the patient’s statement?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient expressing feeling sad and empty about leaving the therapy group is a normal response to the termination of therapy. This indicates that the patient has developed attachments and a sense of belonging within the group, which is a common aspect of group therapy. It shows emotional investment in the therapeutic process and signifies progress in the patient's emotional awareness and ability to express feelings. Choice A is incorrect because the statement does not necessarily indicate regression but rather a normal emotional response. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes unconscious motivations without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it is not necessary to question the patient's readiness based on the provided statement.

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