Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is developing unit policies that will include nursing guidelines for maintaining a therapeutic milieu. Which interventions should be included when providing a therapeutic milieu in an inpatient setting?

• A. Opportunities to contribute to one's treatment plan.
• B. One-on-one dialogue sessions with the therapist.
• C. Regularly scheduled unit activities for peer interaction.
• D. Home visits to reintegrate into the family.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse is responsible for maintaining a therapeutic milieu in an inpatient setting, which involves creating a secure and structured environment that promotes client safety and offers opportunities for clients to learn healthy coping skills. Regularly scheduled unit activities for peer interaction help foster socialization, support, and a sense of community among clients. Choices A and B are valuable interventions in mental health care but do not directly relate to creating a therapeutic milieu in an inpatient setting. Choice D, home visits, would typically occur post-discharge and focus on community reintegration, rather than maintaining a therapeutic milieu within the inpatient setting.

2. The client states, “It seems strange that I don’t have a TV in my room.” Which statement would be best for the nurse to provide?

• A. You can watch TV as much as you want outside of your room.
• B. Sometimes clients feel like the TV is sending them messages.
• C. It’s important to be out of your room and talking to others.
• D. Watching TV is a passive activity and we want you to be active.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because clients with depression or psychosis may interpret TV as sending messages, so it is often removed to prevent this risk. Choice A is incorrect because it does not address the client's concern and may not be feasible. Choice C is incorrect because it diverts from the client's immediate issue regarding the TV. Choice D is incorrect because it does not address the client's specific concern and instead focuses on the activity level.

3. When changing the dressing for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who has self-inflicted lacerations on the abdomen, which approach should the RN use?

• A. Provide detailed and thorough explanations while cleansing the wound.
• B. Perform the dressing change in a non-judgmental manner.
• C. Ask why the client cut their own abdomen in a non-threatening manner.
• D. Request assistance from another staff member for the dressing change.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct approach for the RN when changing the dressing for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who has self-inflicted lacerations on the abdomen is to perform the dressing change in a non-judgmental manner. This approach helps maintain therapeutic rapport and respect for the client's situation. Choice A is incorrect because providing detailed and thorough explanations may not be as important as maintaining a non-judgmental attitude. Choice C is incorrect because asking why the client cut their own abdomen may come across as accusatory or threatening, which can be counterproductive in building trust. Choice D is incorrect because the RN should be equipped to handle the dressing change independently while ensuring a supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client.

4. A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face and raises his voice, saying, “My roommate is the most selfish, self-centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more time with me, I am going to punch him out!” The RN recognizes that the client is using which defense mechanism?

• A. Denial.
• B. Projection.
• C. Rationalization.
• D. Splitting.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Projection. Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to others, as seen in the client’s accusations of his roommate’s behavior. In this scenario, the client is projecting his own anger and potential for violence onto his roommate. Choice A, Denial, involves refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality, which is not evident in the scenario. Choice C, Rationalization, is a defense mechanism where logical reasons are given to justify behaviors that are actually based on unacceptable motives, which is not demonstrated by the client's behavior. Choice D, Splitting, is a defense mechanism where a person sees others as all good or all bad, not applicable in this case as the client is not portraying extreme views of his roommate.

5. The healthcare provider documents the mental status of a female client who has been hospitalized for several days by court order. The client states, “I don’t need to be here” and tells the healthcare provider that she believes that the television talks to her. The healthcare provider should document these assessment findings in which section of the mental status exam?

• A. Level of concentration
• B. Insight and judgment
• C. Remote memory
• D. Mood and affect

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Insight and judgment should be documented as these findings assess the client’s awareness of their need for treatment and understanding of their condition. In this scenario, the client’s statement of not needing to be hospitalized and belief that the television talks to her reflect her insight into her situation and judgment regarding reality. The other options are incorrect: Level of concentration refers to the ability to focus and maintain attention; Remote memory evaluates the recall of past events and information; Mood and affect assess emotional state and expression, which are not directly reflected in the client's statements about her need for hospitalization and belief about the television.

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