Deck 4: Psychology

Question 1

You are caring for a patient who has been sexually assaulted. The patient has become quiet and calm. What defense mechanism does this indicate to the nurse?

A)Denial
B)Projection
C)Rationalization
D)Intellectualization

Answer 1

Denial

Question 2

You are caring for a patient who is being admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which of the following would present the most concern to the nurse?

A)Presence of bruises on the patients body
B)Reports by the patient that they can't eat or sleep
C)Reports by the patient of suicidal thoughts
D)Significant other's disapproval of treatment

Answer 2

Reports by the patient of suicidal thoughts

Question 3

You are caring for a patient who demands to be released from the hospital immediately. The patient was admitted voluntary for an anxiety disorder. What actions should the nurse take next?

A)Tell the patient that discharge is not possible at this time.
B)Call the patient's family.
C)Notify the physician.
D)Persuade the patient to stay.

Answer 3

Notify the physician.

Question 4

You are caring for a patient who has been admitted to the hospital involuntarily. You know based on this admission that the patient:

A)Is a harm to himself or others
B)Is requesting admission
C)Has agreed to admission
D)Has provided a written request for admission

Question 5

Your patient has been involuntarily admitted the hospital. He has been scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy. The nurse knows that:

A)Informed consent is not necessary.
B)The family will need to sign informed consent.
C)The patient will need to sign informed consent.
D)The physician will need to sign informed consent.

Question 6

You are caring for a patient who has been involuntarily admitted to the hospital because of violent behavior. The patient is demanding to leave the hospital. The nurse understands that keeping the patient will lead to:

A)Charges of imprisonment
B)Charges of assault
C)Charges of slander
D)No charges because the nurse's actions are reasonable.

Question 7

Which of the following symptoms would require the nurses immediate attention if the patient had bipolar affective disorder?

A)Outlandish behaviors and inappropriate dress
B)Grandiose delusions of being a royal descendent of King Arthur
C)Nonstop physical activity and poor nutritional intake
D)Constant, incessant talking that includes sexual innuendoes and teasing the staff

Question 8

You are caring for a patient who came into the emergency department in a severe state of anxiety following a care accident. What would be appropriate nursing intervention for the patient?

A)Remain with the patient.
B)Put the patient in a quiet room.
C)Teach the patient to deep breathe.
D)Encourage the patient to talk about their feelings.

Question 9

Which of the following assessments by the nurse would indicate a possible manifestation of dementia?

A)Presence of personal hygienic care
B)Improvement in sleeping
C)Absence of sundown syndrome
D)Confabulation

Question 10

You are caring for a patient who is becoming more aggressive. He is pacing and agitated. His speech is becoming rapid and his affect belligerent. What should the nurse's first priority be?

A)Provide safety for the patient and other patients on the unit.
B)Offer the patient a less stimulated area to calm down and gain control.
C)Provide the patients on the unit with a sense of comfort and safety.
D)Assist the staff in caring for the patient in controlled environment.

Question 11

You are caring for a patient who has a fear of leaving his house. He only comes outside when accompanied by his spouse. What do you determine the patient is experiencing?

A)Social phobia
B)Agoraphobia
C)Claustrophobia
D)Hypochondriasis

Question 12

Your patient has been admitted to the hospital with acute blindness. After many tests are run the physician can find no organic reason for the patient's blindness. You learn that the patient became blind after witnessing a serious car accident where several people were killed. What do you suspect is the cause of the patient's blindness?

A)Psychosis
B)Conversion disorder
C)Dissociative disorder
D)epression

Question 13

You are caring for a patient in a crisis state. What would you want to consider when planning care for this patient?

A)All individuals experiencing a crisis will have the same symptoms.
B)The patient is suffering from a mental illness if they are in a crisis state.
C)The patient is suffering from an emotional illness if they are in a crisis state.
D)Each person reacts differently to a crisis.

Question 14

You are caring for a patient who has been displaying aggressive behavior. You observe that his behavior seems to be escalating. Which intervention by the nurse would be least helpful to this patient?

A)Acknowledge the patient's behavior.
B)Maintain a safe distance from the patient.
C)Assist the patient to a quiet environment.
D)Initiate confinement measures.

Question 15

Which of the following if observed by the nurse would indicate that a depressed patient is becoming suicidal?

A)The patient becomes angry when speaking on the phone and slams the phone down.
B)The patient becomes angry during group therapy and runs out of the room.
C)The patient becomes angry at her roommate for borrowing her clothes.
D)The patient starts giving away her most prized possessions.

Question 16

Your patient has been admitted to the hospital following a suicide attempt by hanging. What would be important to include in this patient plan of care to maintain patient safety?

A)Assign a staff member to the patient at all times.
B)Place the patient in a seclusion room.
C)Place the patient in a hospital gown.
D)Have another patient stay with the patient.

Question 17

Your patient was brought to the emergency department by the police. He has serious lacerations on both wrists. What would the nurse's first priority be?

A)Examine and treat both wounds.
B)Get a complete history from the patient.
C)Work with the patient to discuss feelings.
D)Give anti-anxiety medication.

Question 18

You are caring for a suicidal patient with a plan. You have developed a plan of care. What would the outcome of your plan of care be?

A)Coping and problem solving skills
B)Less anxiety and agitation
C)Develops a relationship with staff and peers
D)Denies suicidal ideations and identifies options to deal with stressors

Question 19

You are caring for a patient with major depression. The patient has become unable to complete her activities of daily living (ADLs). What intervention should the nurse take to help this patient?

A)Complete all ADLs for the patient until the patient is able to do so for herself.
B)Adjust the patient's schedule so that there is enough time for her to complete all her ADLs.
C)Give the patient consequences for not completing ADLs.
D)Have peers confront the patient on how noncompliance affects the unit.

Question 20

Your patient in the emergency department has been sexually assaulted. The patient is withdrawn, confused and at times physically withdrawn. You realize that these behaviors are:

A)Sign of the patients increased risk for suicide
B)An indication of the patient's need for admission
C)Signs of depression
D)Normal reactions to sexual assault

Question 21

Your patient is receiving lithium carbonate (Lithobid). She reports to you that she is having loose, watery stools and difficulty walking. What do you suspect the patient's lithium level will be?

A)0)7 mEq/L
B)1 mEq/L
C)1)3 mEq/L
D)1)8 mEq/L

Question 22

Your patient complains that they have been feeling faint when they attempt to get out of bed in the morning. They have been taking thioridazine hydrochloride (Mellaril). What side effect is this patient experiencing?

A)Psychosomatic disorder
B)Cardiac dysrhythmia
C)Respiratory insufficiency
D)Postural hypotension

Question 23

What adverse effect would you observe in a patient who is taking an excessive amount of bupropion (Wellbutrin)?

A)Dizziness when getting up
B)Seizure activity
C)Increased weight
D)Constipation

Question 24

If your patient was taking clozapine (Clozaril), what laboratory result would you want to monitor for adverse effects?

A)White blood cell count
B)Platelet count
C)Blood glucose
D)Liver function studies

Question 25

Your patient with schizophrenia is taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine). She complains that her urine has turned dark. You know that this is caused by:

A)Increased intake of acid-ash foods and liquids
B)A urinary tract infection
C)A normal side effect of the medication
D)Medication toxicity

Question 26

You are providing an education session for you unit on abuse of older patients. Which of the following patients is most likely to be an abused patient?

A)A 90-year-old patient with advanced Parkinson's disease
B)A 68-year-old patient with early Lyme disease
C)A 70-year old-patient with newly diagnosed cataracts
D)A 75-year-old patient with moderate hypertension

Question 27

You are caring for an older female patient whose husband died six months ago. Which of the following actions by the patient indicates ineffective coping?

A)Visiting the grave once a month
B)Participating in a senior citizens program
C)Looking at old snapshots of her family
D)Neglecting her personal grooming

Question 28

A patient who has been assaulted is exhibiting signs of hyperventilation, pacing, rapid speech and headache. What level of anxiety is this patient in?

A)Panic
B)Severe
C)Moderate
D)Psychotic

Question 29

You are caring for a patient who has been assaulted. The patient is agitated, trembling, and hyperventilating. What would be the priority nursing intervention?

A)Encourage the patient to discuss the assault.
B)Place the patient in a quiet room alone.
C)Remain with the patient.
D)Teach relaxation techniques.

Question 30

What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for dealing with a suicidal patient?

A)Have confidence in the patient's ability to deal with stressors.
B)Provide hope and reassurance that it will resolve itself.
C)Display an attitude of detachment, confrontation and efficiency.
D)Provide authority, action and participation.