Nursing Elites

1. A patient with panic disorder is prescribed alprazolam. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?

• A. Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you.
• B. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
• C. Take the medication at bedtime to help with sleep.
• D. Increase the dose if you do not feel better in a few days.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important instruction for a patient prescribed alprazolam is to avoid driving until they know how the medication affects them. Alprazolam can cause drowsiness and impaired coordination, which may affect the ability to drive safely. This caution is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the patient and others on the road.

2. Which nursing response provides accurate information to discuss with the female patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her support system?

• A. Remember that alcohol and caffeine can trigger a relapse of your symptoms.
• B. Antidepressant therapy should be carefully monitored due to the risk of a manic episode in bipolar disorder.
• C. It’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider promptly if you experience sleep disturbances.
• D. Are your family members prepared to play an active role in helping manage this disorder?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer as it emphasizes the importance of avoiding triggers like alcohol and caffeine that can lead to symptom relapse in patients with bipolar disorder. Educating the patient and their support system about these triggers is essential for managing the condition effectively and preventing exacerbations of symptoms. Choice B is incorrect as it overly focuses on antidepressant therapy, which is not the primary concern related to triggers for symptom relapse. Choice C, while important, does not directly address triggers for symptom relapse in bipolar disorder. Choice D is also relevant but does not provide immediate information on managing triggers for symptom relapse.

3. What is the primary benefit of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with anxiety disorders?

• A. It focuses on the long-term use of medications.
• B. It helps patients understand and change their thought patterns.
• C. It primarily addresses childhood traumas.
• D. It encourages patients to avoid anxiety-provoking situations.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary benefit of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with anxiety disorders is that it helps individuals understand and change their thought patterns. By doing so, patients can effectively reduce their anxiety levels by altering their responses to anxious thoughts and situations, leading to improved coping mechanisms and overall well-being. Choice A is incorrect because CBT does not focus on the long-term use of medications but rather on changing cognitive patterns. Choice C is incorrect because while CBT may address past experiences, its primary focus is on current thoughts and behaviors. Choice D is incorrect as CBT aims to help patients confront and manage anxiety-provoking situations rather than avoid them.

4. When developing a care plan for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which short-term goal is most appropriate?

• A. The patient will experience no episodes of anxiety within the next week.
• B. The patient will learn and practice relaxation techniques.
• C. The patient will avoid all anxiety-provoking situations.
• D. The patient will be medication-free within a month.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Option B, 'The patient will learn and practice relaxation techniques,' is the most appropriate short-term goal for managing generalized anxiety disorder. Teaching relaxation techniques can help the patient develop coping mechanisms and reduce anxiety levels in the immediate future, making it a realistic and beneficial goal. Options A and C are not feasible in the short term as complete elimination of anxiety episodes or avoidance of all anxiety-provoking situations may not be achievable or practical within a week. Option D is not a suitable short-term goal as it overlooks the potential need for medication in managing generalized anxiety disorder.

5. When a patient is diagnosed with major depressive disorder, which nursing diagnosis should be the priority?

• A. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
• B. Risk for suicide
• C. Disturbed sleep pattern
• D. Ineffective coping

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder is 'Risk for suicide.' This is the priority as it addresses the immediate risk of self-harm in individuals suffering from major depressive disorder. Monitoring and intervening to prevent self-harm take precedence over other nursing diagnoses in this scenario.

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