Nursing Elites

1. A nurse notes that a depressed female client has been more withdrawn and less communicative during the past two weeks. Which intervention is most important to include in the updated plan of care for this client?

• A. Engage the client in non-threatening conversations.
• B. Schedule a daily conference with the social worker.
• C. Encourage the client's family to visit more often.
• D. Encourage the client to participate in group activities.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the client to participate in group activities. Group activities can help improve social interaction and potentially reduce feelings of isolation in depressed clients. Choice A, engaging the client in non-threatening conversations, may be helpful but may not address the underlying need for social interaction that group activities can provide. Scheduling a daily conference with the social worker (Choice B) may not directly address the client's need for social engagement. Encouraging the client's family to visit more often (Choice C) is important for support but may not provide the same level of social interaction as group activities.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing severe anxiety. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

• A. Instruct the client to take deep breaths and focus on the present.
• B. Encourage the client to discuss their fears in detail.
• C. Distract the client with a humorous story or anecdote.
• D. Leave the client alone to process their emotions.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client experiencing severe anxiety is to instruct the client to take deep breaths and focus on the present. Deep breathing can help reduce the physiological symptoms of anxiety and provide the client with a way to regain control over their emotions. Choice B is incorrect as discussing fears in detail may escalate anxiety levels. Choice C is inappropriate as distracting the client may not address the root cause of anxiety. Choice D is not recommended as leaving the client alone can increase feelings of isolation and distress.

3. A client with borderline personality disorder tells the nurse, 'You're the only one who understands me. The other nurses don't care about me.' Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Why do you feel that way about the other nurses?
• B. The other nurses care about you too.
• C. I am here to help you just like the other nurses.
• D. Let's talk about why you feel this way.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate response is 'I am here to help you just like the other nurses' (C). This response sets boundaries and avoids reinforcing the client's splitting behavior, which is common in borderline personality disorder. Choices A and D may unintentionally reinforce the splitting by focusing on the negative perception of other nurses. Choice B might be perceived as dismissive because it contradicts the client's feelings of being understood only by the nurse.

4. When preparing a teaching plan for a client who is to be discharged with a prescription for lithium carbonate (Lithonate), which instruction is most important for the nurse to include?

• A. It may take 3 to 4 weeks to achieve therapeutic effects.
• B. Keep your dietary salt intake consistent.
• C. Avoid eating aged cheese and chicken liver.
• D. Eat foods high in fiber such as whole grain breads.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Keep your dietary salt intake consistent.' Consistent salt intake is crucial when taking lithium carbonate to avoid lithium toxicity or ineffectiveness due to its renal excretion mechanism. Option A is incorrect because it focuses on the time to achieve therapeutic effects, which is important but not as critical as maintaining consistent salt intake. Option C is incorrect as it mentions avoiding aged cheese and chicken liver, which is more relevant for individuals taking MAOIs. Option D is incorrect as it suggests eating high-fiber foods, which is not directly related to lithium carbonate therapy.

5. The nurse plans to help an 18-year-old female intellectually disabled client ambulate on the first postoperative day after an appendectomy. When the nurse tells the client it is time to get out of bed, the client becomes angry and tells the nurse, 'Get out of here! I'll get up when I'm ready!' Which response is best for the nurse to make?

• A. Your healthcare provider has prescribed ambulation on the first postoperative day.
• B. You must ambulate to avoid complications that could cause more discomfort than ambulating.
• C. I know how you feel. You're angry about having to ambulate, but this will help you get well.
• D. I'll be back in 30 minutes to help you get out of bed and walk around the room.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: (D) provides a 'cooling off' period, is firm, direct, non-threatening, and avoids arguing with the client. (A) is avoiding responsibility by referring to the healthcare provider. (B) is trying to reason with an intellectually disabled client and is threatening the client with 'complications.' (C) is telling the client how she feels (angry), and the nurse does not really 'know' how this client feels, unless the nurse is also intellectually disabled and has also just had an appendectomy.

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