Nursing Elites

1. Which signs and symptoms would the nurse observe in a client with schizophrenia?

• A. Traumatic flashbacks and hypervigilance
• B. Depression and psychomotor retardation
• C. Loosened associations and hallucinations
• D. Ritualistic behavior and obsessive thinking

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In clients with schizophrenia, the nurse would observe loosened associations and hallucinations. Loosened associations refer to disorganized thinking where thoughts are not logically connected. Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not based in reality. Traumatic flashbacks and hypervigilance are more indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression and psychomotor retardation are common in depression, not schizophrenia. Ritualistic behavior and obsessive thinking are typically seen in obsessive-compulsive disorders, not schizophrenia.

2. Which response would the nurse provide to a client in labor at 32 weeks' gestation who tells the nurse that she and her husband are very concerned because the baby will be born 2 months early?

• A. ''You should be concerned. I feel for you.''
• B. 'If you're concerned, let's talk about it.''
• C. ''Try not to worry about it; just concentrate on your labor.''
• D. 'Don't worry; the care of preterm babies has greatly improved.''

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: ''If you're concerned, let's talk about it.'' Offering to talk with the client encourages her to verbalize concerns, serving as an outlet for tension. The nurse's first step should be to listen to the client's concerns and emotions before providing more specific information. Choice A is incorrect as telling the client she should be concerned reinforces fears and conveys sympathy rather than empathy. Choice C is incorrect because telling the client not to worry and just concentrate on labor denies the client's feelings and cuts off communication. Choice D is incorrect as telling the client not to worry because care has improved denies the client's feelings and provides false reassurance.

3. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor carefully for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube to suction for the past week?

• A. White blood cell count
• B. Albumin
• C. Calcium
• D. Sodium

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client's serum sodium levels carefully when they have been on nasogastric (NG) tube suction for an extended period. Prolonged NG suctioning can lead to fluid loss and subsequent hyponatremia. Monitoring sodium levels is crucial to prevent complications. White blood cell count (Option A), albumin (Option B), and calcium (Option C) are not typically affected by prolonged NG suctioning. Therefore, these values are not the priority for monitoring in this situation.

4. Which defense mechanism would the nurse conclude a female client with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who washes her hands more than 20 times a day, is using to ease anxiety?

• A. Undoing
• B. Projection
• C. Introjection
• D. Displacement

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Undoing.' Undoing is a defense mechanism where the individual tries to negate a previous act to relieve guilt or anxiety. In this case, the client washing her hands excessively is trying to 'undo' perceived contamination or guilt associated with not washing. Projection (choice B) involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or impulses to others, which is not demonstrated in this scenario. Introjection (choice C) is the process of internalizing beliefs or values of others, which is also not applicable in this context. Displacement (choice D) involves redirecting emotions from one target to another, which does not align with the client's behavior of handwashing as a response to anxiety in this case.

5. While communicating with a client, the nurse determines that the client has realized the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and plans to stop drinking within 6 months. Which stage of the transtheoretical model of change would the nurse correlate the client's behavior with?

• A. Action
• B. Preparation
• C. Maintenance
• D. Contemplation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The transtheoretical model of change defines changing patterns in individuals across five stages based on their readiness to change. The stages are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. In the contemplation stage, the client acknowledges the benefits of change and considers making the change within the next 6 months. This aligns with the client's realization of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and intent to stop drinking within 6 months. The action stage involves actively making changes, the preparation stage includes goal-setting with an intention to change within 60 days, and the maintenance stage focuses on sustaining changed behavior for at least 6 months and taking preventive measures to avoid relapse. Therefore, in this scenario, the client's behavior aligns with the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model of change.

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