Nursing Elites

1. A male patient calls to tell the nurse that his monthly lithium level is 1.7 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention will the nurse implement initially?

• A. Reinforce that the level is above the therapeutic range.
• B. Instruct the patient to hold the next dose of medication and contact the prescriber.
• C. Advise the patient to go to the hospital emergency room immediately.
• D. Inform the patient about the possibility of seizures and appropriate precautions.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A lithium level of 1.7 mEq/L is above the therapeutic range, indicating a potential risk of toxicity. The initial nursing intervention should be to instruct the patient to hold the next dose of medication and promptly contact the prescriber for further guidance and management. This action aims to prevent adverse effects and ensure the patient's safety by addressing the elevated lithium level appropriately.

2. In evaluating a client's response to stress, what would indicate a secondary appraisal of the stressful event?

• A. When the individual judges the event to be benign
• B. When the individual judges the event to be irrelevant
• C. When the individual judges the resources and skills needed to deal with the event
• D. When the individual judges the event to be pleasurable

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A secondary appraisal occurs when an individual evaluates the resources and skills required to cope with a stressful event. This type of appraisal focuses on the person's perceived ability to manage the situation. In contrast, choices A, B, and D do not involve the assessment of resources and skills. Choice A relates to a benign judgment of the event, choice B to an irrelevant judgment, and choice D to a pleasurable judgment, which are aspects of primary rather than secondary appraisals.

3. A healthcare professional is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which of the following findings shouldn't the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Recurrent, intrusive thoughts
• B. Compulsive behaviors
• C. Delusions of grandeur
• D. Avoidance of situations that trigger obsessions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), common findings include recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions), compulsive behaviors, and avoidance of situations that trigger obsessions. Delusions of grandeur, which involve having an exaggerated sense of power, importance, or identity, are not typically associated with OCD. It is important to differentiate between the specific characteristics of OCD and other mental health conditions to provide accurate care and interventions for clients.

4. A healthcare provider is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with factitious disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the healthcare provider expect?

• A. Intentional production of false symptoms
• B. Lack of concern about symptoms
• C. Fear of gaining weight
• D. Unintentional production of false symptoms

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Individuals with factitious disorder deliberately fabricate or exaggerate symptoms to assume the sick role and garner attention. They may show a lack of concern about their symptoms, a phenomenon known as la belle indifférence. Fear of gaining weight is not typically associated with factitious disorder. Therefore, the correct behavior to expect in a client with factitious disorder is the intentional production of false symptoms. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as lack of concern about symptoms and fear of gaining weight are not characteristic of factitious disorder. Additionally, factitious disorder involves the intentional, not unintentional, production of false symptoms.

5. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed olanzapine. The nurse should monitor the patient for which common side effect?

• A. Weight gain
• B. Hypotension
• C. Hair loss
• D. Hyperthyroidism

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Weight gain is a common side effect of olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic. Olanzapine is known to cause metabolic changes that can lead to weight gain. Monitoring weight regularly is essential to detect and manage this side effect to prevent associated health risks such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Hypotension (choice B) is not a common side effect of olanzapine. Olanzapine is more likely to cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions. Hair loss (choice C) and hyperthyroidism (choice D) are not typically associated with olanzapine use.

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