Nursing Elites

1. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which dietary advice should the nurse include?

• A. Avoid foods high in tyramine.
• B. Maintain a consistent salt intake.
• C. Increase protein intake.
• D. Avoid foods high in fat.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Patients prescribed lithium should maintain a consistent salt intake. Fluctuations in salt intake can impact lithium levels, potentially leading to toxicity or reduced effectiveness of the medication. It is crucial for patients to adhere to a stable salt intake while taking lithium to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding foods high in tyramine is more relevant for patients on MAOIs, not lithium. Increasing protein intake or avoiding foods high in fat are not specific dietary recommendations for patients taking lithium.

2. A new psychiatric nurse states, 'This client's use of defense mechanisms should be eliminated.' Which is a correct evaluation of this nurse's statement?

• A. Defense mechanisms can be self-protective responses to stress and need not be eliminated.
• B. Defense mechanisms are a maladaptive attempt by the ego to manage anxiety and should always be eliminated.
• C. Defense mechanisms, used by individuals with weak ego integrity, should be discouraged but not eliminated.
• D. Defense mechanisms cause disintegration of the ego and should be fostered and encouraged.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct evaluation is that defense mechanisms can be self-protective responses to stress and do not necessarily need to be eliminated. These mechanisms help individuals reduce anxiety during times of stress. It is crucial for the nurse to understand that defense mechanisms serve a purpose and can be a normal part of coping. However, if defense mechanisms significantly hinder the client's ability to develop healthy coping skills, they should be addressed and explored. Eliminating defense mechanisms entirely without considering the individual's overall coping strategies can be counterproductive and may lead to increased distress for the client. Choice B is incorrect because not all defense mechanisms are maladaptive; some can be adaptive and helpful. Choice C is incorrect because labeling individuals as having weak ego integrity based on their use of defense mechanisms is stigmatizing and oversimplified. Choice D is incorrect because fostering and encouraging defense mechanisms without differentiation can lead to maladaptive behaviors and reliance on these mechanisms instead of healthier coping strategies.

3. A client has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Shortness of breath
• B. Chest pain
• C. Excessive worry
• D. Decreased appetite

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder commonly exhibit symptoms like excessive worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Physical manifestations such as muscle tension and sleep disturbances are also prevalent. Shortness of breath and chest pain are more commonly associated with panic attacks rather than generalized anxiety disorder. Decreased appetite may be present in some cases, but excessive worry is a hallmark characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder.

4. When discussing the main differences between narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, what should the nurse highlight?

• A. Symptoms of the two diagnoses are essentially the same, making it challenging to differentiate between them
• B. Naps are contraindicated for clients with narcolepsy due to their association with cataplexy
• C. People with narcolepsy awaken from a nap feeling rested and replenished
• D. People with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may experience temporary paralysis during sleep

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep, while individuals with narcolepsy often feel refreshed after a brief nap. In contrast, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is marked by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Therefore, the correct answer is that individuals with narcolepsy awaken from a nap feeling rested and replenished, which is a key distinguishing feature from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

5. When using therapeutic communication with a withdrawn patient who has major depression, an effective method of managing the silence is to:

• A. Engage in a quiet meditation
• B. Ask simple questions even if the patient will not answer
• C. Use the technique of making observations
• D. Simply sit quietly and leave when the patient falls asleep

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Using the technique of making observations is an effective method of managing silence when communicating with a withdrawn patient who has major depression. This approach can encourage the patient to engage and feel understood without the pressure to respond, fostering a therapeutic connection and helping the patient open up at their own pace.

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