Health
NR 605 Diagnosis and Management in
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Lifespan I
Practicum Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers |
Graded A+
1. A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin decanoate) is being
discharged in the morning. A repeat dose of medication is scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells
the nurse that he is going on vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to get my Prolixin injection.
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B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything that contains alcohol.
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day. - Correct Answer :A) When I return
from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to get my Prolixin injection.
Photosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in the Bahamas (with its tropical island climate)
increases the client's chance of experiencing this side effect. He should be instructed to avoid direct sun (A) and
wear sunscreen.
(B, C, and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol acts synergistically with Prolixin (B).
(C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which is also a side effect of Prolixin. In order to avoid extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as Cogentin, are often prescribed prophylactically with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
2.A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling depressed about the loss of his wife
and job. The client has a history of alcohol dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago.
Vital signs are: temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse plans to give the client lorazepam
(Ativan) based on which priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
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D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis. - Correct Answer :B) Risk for injury related to alcohol
detoxification.
The most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B) because the client has elevated vital
signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification. Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be addressed after giving
the client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and D) can be addressed when
immediate needs for safety are met.
Correct Answer(s): B
3. The charge nurse is collaborating with the nursing staff about the plan of care for a client who is very
depressed. What is the most important intervention to implement during the first 48 hours after the client's
admission to the unit?
A) Monitor appetite and observe intake at meals.
B) Maintain safety in the client's milieu.
C) Provide ongoing, supportive contact.
D) Encourage participation in activities. - Correct Answer :B) Maintain safety in the client's milieu.
The most important reason for closely observing a depressed client immediately after admission is to maintain
safety (B), since suicide is a risk with depression. (A, C, and D) are all important interventions, but safety is the
priority.
Correct Answer(s): B
4. A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to
her, she refuses to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food." Which response
is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
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A) I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything else.
B) You're not being poisoned. Why do you think someone is trying to poison you?
C) No one on this unit has ever died from poisoning. You're safe here.
D) I will talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of changing your diet. - Correct Answer :A) I'll leave
your tray here. I am available if you need anything else.
(A) is the best choice cited. The nurse does not argue with the client nor demand that she eat, but offers
support by agreeing to "be there if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C) are arguing with the client's
delusions, and (B) asks "why" which is usually not a good question for a psychotic client. (D) has nothing to do
with the actual problem; i.e., the problem is not the diet (she thinks any food given to her is poisoned.)
Correct Answer(s): A
5. A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and
drowsiness. What action should the nurse take?
A) Notify the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for administration of an antidote.
B) Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the next administration of the drug.
C) Record the symptoms as normal side effects and continue administration of the prescribed dosage.
D) Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of the drug. - Correct Answer :B) Notify the
healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the next administration of the drug.
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