a nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder the client has been admitted to the psychiatric unit after
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Mental Health Practice B

1. A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder has been admitted to the psychiatric unit after a suicide attempt. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The initial priority for the nurse is to ensure the safety of the client. Placing the client on one-to-one observation allows for constant monitoring and intervention if there are any signs of self-harm or a worsening condition. This immediate intervention is crucial to prevent further harm. Options A, C, and D involve therapeutic communication and interventions, which are important but should come after ensuring the client's safety.

2. Which characteristic in an adolescent female is sometimes associated with the prodromal phase of schizophrenia?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During the prodromal phase of schizophrenia, individuals may exhibit subtle changes in behavior or interests. An unusual interest in numbers and specific topics may be a sign of cognitive disturbances that can precede the onset of schizophrenia. While the other choices may also be observed in adolescents, an unusual interest in numbers and specific topics is more specifically linked to potential prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia.

3. A client has been prescribed lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for the nurse to provide is to advise the client to avoid driving until they know how the medication affects them. Lithium can lead to side effects like dizziness and drowsiness, which could impair one's ability to drive safely. Choice B is incorrect because lithium is usually taken on an empty stomach. Choice C may be true but is not as critical as the potential side effects affecting driving. Choice D is important but not as immediate as ensuring the client's safety while driving.

4. When assessing a patient with schizophrenia who exhibits disorganized speech and behavior, these symptoms are classified as:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Positive symptoms in schizophrenia refer to excesses or distortions in normal behavior and include symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech and behavior. Disorganized speech and behavior are considered positive symptoms because they represent an excess or distortion of normal functions. Negative symptoms involve deficits in normal behavior, cognitive symptoms affect thinking processes, and mood symptoms relate to emotional experiences. Therefore, in this scenario, the disorganized speech and behavior exhibited by the patient are classified as positive symptoms.

5. A nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which statement by the client indicates an accurate understanding of the medication?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Clients taking lithium should maintain a consistent sodium intake to avoid fluctuations in lithium levels.

Similar Questions

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A client has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is having nightmares about the event. The client reports difficulty sleeping at night. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Substance abuse is often present in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Laura, a 28-year-old with a bipolar disorder diagnosis, chooses to drink alcohol instead of taking her prescribed medications. The nurse caring for this patient recognizes that:
Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques that a healthcare professional can use when interacting with clients? Select one that doesn't apply.
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