Nursing Elites

1. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing hallucinations. Which intervention is most appropriate?

• A. Encourage the patient to ignore the voices.
• B. Engage the patient in a reality-based activity.
• C. Provide a quiet environment to reduce stimulation.
• D. Ask the patient to describe the hallucinations in detail.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Engaging the patient in a reality-based activity is the most appropriate intervention for a patient with schizophrenia experiencing hallucinations. This intervention can help distract the patient from the hallucinations and reorient them to the present, promoting a connection with reality and potentially reducing distress associated with the hallucinations. Choice A, encouraging the patient to ignore the voices, may not be effective as it can be challenging for the patient to dismiss the hallucinations. Choice C, providing a quiet environment, is helpful but may not directly address the hallucinations. Choice D, asking the patient to describe the hallucinations in detail, may increase the patient's focus on the hallucinations, potentially worsening distress.

2. A healthcare professional is assessing a client diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Preoccupation with a perceived physical defect
• B. Fear of gaining weight
• C. Excessive worry about physical symptoms
• D. Persistent depressive mood

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Preoccupation with a perceived physical defect. Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder exhibit an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived flaw in their physical appearance, which is often minor or not noticeable to others. This preoccupation causes distress and leads to repetitive behaviors like mirror checking or seeking reassurance about their appearance. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because fear of gaining weight is more characteristic of an eating disorder, excessive worry about physical symptoms may be seen in somatic symptom disorder, and persistent depressive mood aligns more with depressive disorders rather than body dysmorphic disorder.

3. Adolescents often display fluctuations in mood along with undeveloped emotional regulation and poor tolerance for frustration. Emotional and behavioral control usually increases over the course of adolescence due to:

• A. Limited executive function
• B. Cerebellum maturation
• C. Cerebral stasis and hormonal changes
• D. A slight reduction in brain volume

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During adolescence, emotional and behavioral control typically improves as the cerebellum matures. The cerebellum plays a significant role in regulating emotions and behavior, contributing to the increased control seen in adolescents over time.

4. A patient with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prescribed prazosin. The nurse understands that this medication is used to treat which symptom of PTSD?

• A. Flashbacks
• B. Nightmares
• C. Hypervigilance
• D. Depression

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Prazosin is a medication often prescribed to manage nightmares in patients with PTSD. It works by blocking the action of adrenaline on specific receptors, which helps in reducing the intensity and frequency of nightmares. While flashbacks, hypervigilance, and depression are also common symptoms of PTSD, prazosin is specifically indicated for nightmares associated with the disorder. Flashbacks are typically addressed through therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypervigilance may be managed through counseling and coping strategies, and depression may necessitate antidepressant medications or therapy tailored for depression.

5. A client is being taught relaxation techniques to manage anxiety. Which of the following techniques should not be included in the teaching? Select all that apply.

• A. Deep breathing exercises
• B. Progressive muscle relaxation
• C. Mindfulness meditation
• D. Cognitive restructuring

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation are commonly used relaxation techniques to manage anxiety. Cognitive restructuring is a cognitive-behavioral technique aimed at changing negative thought patterns and beliefs, not a relaxation technique. It focuses on altering cognitive distortions rather than inducing physical relaxation responses.

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