Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is providing care for a patient with schizophrenia. Which symptom would be considered a positive symptom of this disorder?

• A. Alogia
• B. Anhedonia
• C. Delusions
• D. Flat affect

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Delusions are considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech or behavior. In contrast, negative symptoms involve a decrease or absence of normal functions, like alogia (poverty of speech), anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure), and flat affect (reduced expression of emotions). Therefore, in the context of schizophrenia, delusions fall under the category of positive symptoms.

2. A healthcare professional is assessing a client diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Grandiose sense of self-importance
• B. Lack of empathy
• C. Need for excessive admiration
• D. Envy of others

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Clients with narcissistic personality disorder often exhibit a grandiose sense of self-importance, believing they are special and unique. This behavior is characterized by an exaggerated sense of achievements and talents, expecting to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements. While individuals with this disorder may lack empathy and have a need for excessive admiration, the prominent feature of grandiosity is a core aspect of narcissistic personality disorder. Therefore, the correct behavior expected in this case is a grandiose sense of self-importance (Choice A). Lack of empathy (Choice B) and need for excessive admiration (Choice C) are also common traits in narcissistic personality disorder, but they are not the primary behavior associated with the disorder. Envy of others (Choice D) is not a characteristic behavior typically seen in individuals with narcissistic personality disorder.

3. A healthcare professional is assessing a client who is experiencing severe anxiety. Which of the following symptoms should the healthcare professional expect to observe?

• A. Restlessness
• B. Rapid heart rate
• C. Sweating
• D. Dry mouth

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rapid heart rate is a characteristic symptom of severe anxiety due to the body's fight-or-flight response being activated. This physiological response leads to an increased heart rate to prepare the body to deal with perceived threats. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant in monitoring and managing this symptom in clients experiencing severe anxiety.

4. During a routine health screening, a grieving widow whose husband died 15 months ago reports emptiness, a loss of self, difficulty thinking of the future, and anger at her dead husband. The nurse suggests bereavement counseling. The widow is most likely suffering from:

• A. Major depression
• B. Normal grieving
• C. Adjustment disorder
• D. Posttraumatic stress disorder

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The widow's symptoms align more closely with an adjustment disorder rather than major depression, normal grieving, or posttraumatic stress disorder. The widow's prolonged struggle in coping with the loss, characterized by emptiness, loss of self, difficulty envisioning the future, and anger towards her deceased husband, indicates an inability to adapt to the loss. These symptoms are indicative of an adjustment disorder, which typically arises in response to a significant life stressor and persists beyond what is considered a normal grieving process. Bereavement counseling can help the widow navigate her emotions and coping strategies during this challenging period.

5. A healthcare provider is assessing a client diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the healthcare provider expect?

• A. Social inhibition
• B. Fear of criticism
• C. Desire for close relationships
• D. Fear of abandonment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Individuals with avoidant personality disorder commonly display social inhibition and a fear of criticism or rejection. While they may have a desire for close relationships, they tend to avoid them due to their fear of disapproval and negative evaluation by others. Fear of criticism (Choice B) is also a characteristic behavior seen in individuals with avoidant personality disorder. However, the primary behavior associated with this disorder is social inhibition (Choice A), where individuals tend to be reserved and avoid social interactions. Desiring close relationships (Choice C) may be present, but the fear of rejection typically prevents individuals from pursuing these relationships. Fear of abandonment (Choice D) is more commonly associated with borderline personality disorder rather than avoidant personality disorder.

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