Nursing Elites

1. A client goes to the mental health center for difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and nightmares. The client reports being raped as a child. The nurse should assess the client for further signs of:

• A. generalized anxiety disorder.
• B. schizophrenia.
• C. post-traumatic stress disorder.
• D. bipolar disorder.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Given the history of childhood sexual abuse and the presenting symptoms of difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and nightmares, the nurse should assess the client for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Childhood sexual abuse is strongly associated with adult-onset depression and an increased risk for PTSD. Individuals with PTSD may exhibit re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened reactions to trauma triggers. They may also display emotional numbing, avoidance behaviors, and increased arousal symptoms like difficulty sleeping and hypervigilance. Generalized anxiety disorder (Choice A) is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about various events or activities, not necessarily tied to a specific trauma. Schizophrenia (Choice B) is a severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior, unrelated to the traumatic event described. Bipolar disorder (Choice D) involves mood swings between depressive and manic episodes, and its symptoms differ from those typically seen in PTSD.

2. A hospitalized client has just been informed that he has terminal cancer. He says to the nurse, 'There must be some mistake in the diagnosis.' The nurse determines that the client is demonstrating which of the following?

• A. denial
• B. anger
• C. bargaining
• D. acceptance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is denial. In this scenario, the client's statement indicates denial, which is a common reaction in Kübler-Ross's Stages of Grieving. Denial involves the refusal to accept or believe that a loss, such as a terminal illness diagnosis, is happening. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: Anger involves feelings of resentment or frustration; Bargaining is an attempt to negotiate or make deals to avoid the situation; Acceptance is the final stage where the individual comes to terms with the reality of the situation.

3. The nurse is preparing a client for mammography. To prepare the client for a mammogram, the nurse should tell the client:

• A. To omit creams, powders, or deodorants before the exam
• B. To restrict fat intake for 1 week before the test
• C. That mammography replaces the need for self-breast exams
• D. That mammography requires a higher dose of radiation than an x-ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The client undergoing a mammogram should be instructed to omit deodorants or powders beforehand because they can interfere with the imaging results. Answer A is correct as it aligns with the preparation needed before a mammogram to ensure accurate results. Answer B is incorrect because there is no requirement for fat intake restrictions before a mammogram. Answer C is incorrect because mammography does not replace the necessity of self-breast exams; both are crucial for maintaining breast health. Answer D is incorrect because a mammogram does not require higher doses of radiation than an x-ray. In fact, mammography uses a low dose of radiation to create images for breast examination.

4. A nurse notes that an elderly client suddenly does not keep appointments and is not wearing appropriate clothing. Which statement by the client raises the suspicion of financial abuse?

• A. "I am having difficulty paying for this new antibiotic the physician prescribed."?
• B. "I am a little short on cash since my daughter moved in to help me."?
• C. "I have not felt like shopping since the weather has gotten worse."?
• D. "People do not realize how difficult it is to make ends meet on a fixed income."?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "I am a little short on cash since my daughter moved in to help me."? This statement raises suspicion of financial abuse as it suggests a recent change in financial circumstances after the daughter moved in. Financial abuse in elderly clients can be indicated by sudden unexplained financial deficits or changes, such as difficulty paying for necessities despite previously being able to do so. Choices A, C, and D do not directly imply a recent financial change due to external factors, making them less indicative of potential financial abuse. Option B is the most concerning statement that warrants further investigation into possible financial exploitation.

5. If the nurse who was not promoted tells another friend, "I knew I'd never get the job. The hospital administrator hates me."? If she actually believes this of the administrator, who, in reality, knows little of her, she is demonstrating:

• A. compensation.
• B. reaction formation.
• C. projection.
• D. denial.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse is demonstrating projection, attributing her own feelings of dislike onto the hospital administrator. This defense mechanism involves unconsciously adopting blaming behavior. Compensation involves emphasizing a strong point to make up for a perceived weakness, which is not the case here. Reaction formation is adopting behavior opposite to actual feelings, and denial involves ignoring an unpleasant reality, none of which are demonstrated in this scenario.

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