NURX212 Health Differences Across The Life Span 2 Exam
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN would expect to assess which of the following as an increased risk for violence
among patients with schizophrenia?
Erratic sleep habits
Lack of exercise
Substance abuse
Unsafe sex - Answer 1) Erratic sleeping habits is not associated with increased risk for
violence in patients with schizophrenia.
2) Lack of exercise is not associated with increased risk for violence in patients with
schizophrenia.
*3) Substance abuse is associated with a variety of negative outcomes such as
homelessness, violence, and suicide in patients with schizophrenia.
4) Unsafe sex is not associated with increased risk for violence in patients with
schizophrenia.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is reviewing dietary restrictions with a patient who is on a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI). Which dietary choice indicates that the patient understood the
teaching?
Chicken wings and blue cheese
, Shrimp and fried rice
Pepperoni pizza
Hamburger and french fries - Answer 1) Blue cheese has high tyramine content; the
ingestion of tyramine with the use of MAOIs will lead to hypertensive crisis.
2) Shrimp fried rice contains soy sauce and MSG; both ingredients have high tyramine
content.
3) Pepperoni has a high tyramine content. Patients taking MAOIs should avoid it.
*4) Of the meals listed, hamburger and french fries is the most appropriate option.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is evaluating care for an outpatient who is receiving lithium carbonate (Lithane).
Which statement reflects the need for further instruction regarding the medication?
"I will report any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea."
"I will adhere to a low-salt diet."
"I will have my blood tested for lithium every month."
"I will not take over-the-counter medications." - Answer 1) The patient should report
these side effects and stop taking the drug, since dehydration can raise lithium levels.
Further instruction is not necessary.
*2) The patient should not follow a low-salt diet. A low-sodium intake causes a relative
increase in lithium retention, which can lead to toxicity. Further instruction is necessary.
3) Lithium levels are monitored very closely (monthly) at first. No further instruction is
necessary.
,4) The patient should avoid taking over-the-counter medications. No further instruction
is necessary.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is assessing a patient presenting with a history of schizophrenia. The RN notes
that the patient smiles while talking about missing family. The RN correctly documents
this behavior as a disturbance in which area of functioning?
Affect
Volition
Perception
Content of thought - Answer *1) The patient's behavior is a manifestation of
disturbance in emotional tone or affect. Inappropriate affect is characterized by
expressions that are incongruent with the circumstances.
2) Volition is characterized by the inability to carry out goal-directed activity, not by
inconsistency between emotional expression and the circumstances.
3) Disturbances in perceptual function are characterized by the inability to accurately
interpret stimuli, as in the case of an individual experiencing hallucinations.
4) Disturbances in content of thought are characterized by delusions, magical thinking,
and other beliefs that are not grounded in reality.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is providing information on withdrawal symptoms to a patient who has been
abusing amphetamines. Which statement by the RN is accurate?
"It's still possible to experience symptoms of withdrawal even if you try to take a lower
, dosage."
"A loss of appetite after stopping this drug is common, so we may need to provide
nutritional supplements."
"The symptoms associated with amphetamine withdrawal are generally mild and are
likely to resolve within 2 to 4 hours of their onset."
"You're likely to experience an intense period of euphoria, which generally peaks
around 48 to 72 hours after stopping the medication." - Answer *1) Symptoms of
amphetamine withdrawal may occur when the substance is stopped completely or when
the dose is reduced.
2) Amphetamine withdrawal usually results in feelings of extreme hunger, not a
decreased appetite.
3) The symptoms associated with amphetamine withdrawal are serious and should be
managed under the supervision of health care providers.
4) Amphetamine withdrawal causes extreme dysphoria, not euphoria.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is conducting a health history on a newly admitted patient in the eating disorder
program. What is the reason for asking the patient about family support and dynamics?
To identify if family dynamics have a role in the disordered eating pattern
To determine if there is a hereditary predisposition to eating disorders
To determine if the family members can become more involved with patient
To determine if the patient has unresolved dependency needs - Answer *1) Family
dynamics of power and control or conflict avoidance may play a role in eating disorders.
2) Hereditary predisposition is considered to be a biological influence, not a
psychodynamic influence.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN would expect to assess which of the following as an increased risk for violence
among patients with schizophrenia?
Erratic sleep habits
Lack of exercise
Substance abuse
Unsafe sex - Answer 1) Erratic sleeping habits is not associated with increased risk for
violence in patients with schizophrenia.
2) Lack of exercise is not associated with increased risk for violence in patients with
schizophrenia.
*3) Substance abuse is associated with a variety of negative outcomes such as
homelessness, violence, and suicide in patients with schizophrenia.
4) Unsafe sex is not associated with increased risk for violence in patients with
schizophrenia.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is reviewing dietary restrictions with a patient who is on a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI). Which dietary choice indicates that the patient understood the
teaching?
Chicken wings and blue cheese
, Shrimp and fried rice
Pepperoni pizza
Hamburger and french fries - Answer 1) Blue cheese has high tyramine content; the
ingestion of tyramine with the use of MAOIs will lead to hypertensive crisis.
2) Shrimp fried rice contains soy sauce and MSG; both ingredients have high tyramine
content.
3) Pepperoni has a high tyramine content. Patients taking MAOIs should avoid it.
*4) Of the meals listed, hamburger and french fries is the most appropriate option.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is evaluating care for an outpatient who is receiving lithium carbonate (Lithane).
Which statement reflects the need for further instruction regarding the medication?
"I will report any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea."
"I will adhere to a low-salt diet."
"I will have my blood tested for lithium every month."
"I will not take over-the-counter medications." - Answer 1) The patient should report
these side effects and stop taking the drug, since dehydration can raise lithium levels.
Further instruction is not necessary.
*2) The patient should not follow a low-salt diet. A low-sodium intake causes a relative
increase in lithium retention, which can lead to toxicity. Further instruction is necessary.
3) Lithium levels are monitored very closely (monthly) at first. No further instruction is
necessary.
,4) The patient should avoid taking over-the-counter medications. No further instruction
is necessary.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is assessing a patient presenting with a history of schizophrenia. The RN notes
that the patient smiles while talking about missing family. The RN correctly documents
this behavior as a disturbance in which area of functioning?
Affect
Volition
Perception
Content of thought - Answer *1) The patient's behavior is a manifestation of
disturbance in emotional tone or affect. Inappropriate affect is characterized by
expressions that are incongruent with the circumstances.
2) Volition is characterized by the inability to carry out goal-directed activity, not by
inconsistency between emotional expression and the circumstances.
3) Disturbances in perceptual function are characterized by the inability to accurately
interpret stimuli, as in the case of an individual experiencing hallucinations.
4) Disturbances in content of thought are characterized by delusions, magical thinking,
and other beliefs that are not grounded in reality.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is providing information on withdrawal symptoms to a patient who has been
abusing amphetamines. Which statement by the RN is accurate?
"It's still possible to experience symptoms of withdrawal even if you try to take a lower
, dosage."
"A loss of appetite after stopping this drug is common, so we may need to provide
nutritional supplements."
"The symptoms associated with amphetamine withdrawal are generally mild and are
likely to resolve within 2 to 4 hours of their onset."
"You're likely to experience an intense period of euphoria, which generally peaks
around 48 to 72 hours after stopping the medication." - Answer *1) Symptoms of
amphetamine withdrawal may occur when the substance is stopped completely or when
the dose is reduced.
2) Amphetamine withdrawal usually results in feelings of extreme hunger, not a
decreased appetite.
3) The symptoms associated with amphetamine withdrawal are serious and should be
managed under the supervision of health care providers.
4) Amphetamine withdrawal causes extreme dysphoria, not euphoria.
Alterations in Mental Health
An RN is conducting a health history on a newly admitted patient in the eating disorder
program. What is the reason for asking the patient about family support and dynamics?
To identify if family dynamics have a role in the disordered eating pattern
To determine if there is a hereditary predisposition to eating disorders
To determine if the family members can become more involved with patient
To determine if the patient has unresolved dependency needs - Answer *1) Family
dynamics of power and control or conflict avoidance may play a role in eating disorders.
2) Hereditary predisposition is considered to be a biological influence, not a
psychodynamic influence.
