Chapter 29: Sensory Perception
1. The nurse determines that w hen a female patient who underwent a
mammogram earlier in the day is asked to have a breast ultrasound and is
informed that she demonstrates signs of breast malignancy, the patient is
at risk for experiencing sensory
a. Adaptation
b. Deprivation
c. Stimulation
d. Overload
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
When the reticular activating system (RAS) is overwhelmed with input,
a person may experience sensory overload and feel confused, anxious,
and unable to take constructive action.
2. When the patient who has been hos pitalized for 8 days for skin grafting
tells the nurse that he is bored, depressed, and restless, the nurse
determines that the patient is experiencing sensory
a. Deprivation
b. Adaptation
c. Perception
d. Overload
CORRECT ANSWER: A
, Feedback:
When the RAS fails to recognize a stimulus because it is below the
threshold level or lacks relevant meaning to the person, sensory
deprivation may occur, and the person experiences boredom,
depression, restlessness, and vivid sensual imagery, including
hallucinations.
3. The nurse taking care of a 3 -year-old who is on a 10 -regimen dose of
gentamicin should instruct the mother to
a. Have the vision tested in 6 weeks
b. Have the gentamicin levels tested in 6 weeks
c. Have the peripheral nervous system tested in 6 weeks
d. Have the hearing tested in 6 weeks
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
Some antibiotics, including streptom ycin and gentamicin, can damage
the auditory nerve, impairing hearing.
4. An intensive care unit nurse does not notice the noise within her
environment. However, t he patients family member states, How can you
stand it in here? The lights, sounds, and activit y would drive me craz y and
I couldnt take it. The nurse has adapted to her
a. Intensive care unit work
b. Intensive care unit environment
c. Threatening stimuli
d. Nursing career
CORRECT ANSWER: B
, Feedback:
Sensory stimulation in the environment effects sensory perception.
After routine exposure to stimulation, the body adapts.
5. To meet the learning needs of the older adult, the nurse incorporates
which of the following considerations in planning to teach a 73 -year-old
diabetic patient about insulin administration?
a. Requesting hearing aids to help the patient receive information
b. Using numerous handouts and detailed teaching plan
c. Allowing more time for the processin g of the information
d. Demonstrating a wide variet y of syringes and techniques
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Feedback:
As a person approaches 60 to 70 years of age, marked decrements in
sensory/perceptual behaviors begin. This reduction in efficiency means
that older people cannot process sensory input as rapidl y as they did
when they were young.
6. When a new mother asks the nurse whether her newborn infant can see
her, the best response by the nurse is to tell the mother that her infant
a. Cannot see for 2 weeks of age
b. Can differentiate objects onl y
c. Can differentiate colors onl y
d. Can see light and dark patterns
CORRECT ANSWER: D
1. The nurse determines that w hen a female patient who underwent a
mammogram earlier in the day is asked to have a breast ultrasound and is
informed that she demonstrates signs of breast malignancy, the patient is
at risk for experiencing sensory
a. Adaptation
b. Deprivation
c. Stimulation
d. Overload
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
When the reticular activating system (RAS) is overwhelmed with input,
a person may experience sensory overload and feel confused, anxious,
and unable to take constructive action.
2. When the patient who has been hos pitalized for 8 days for skin grafting
tells the nurse that he is bored, depressed, and restless, the nurse
determines that the patient is experiencing sensory
a. Deprivation
b. Adaptation
c. Perception
d. Overload
CORRECT ANSWER: A
, Feedback:
When the RAS fails to recognize a stimulus because it is below the
threshold level or lacks relevant meaning to the person, sensory
deprivation may occur, and the person experiences boredom,
depression, restlessness, and vivid sensual imagery, including
hallucinations.
3. The nurse taking care of a 3 -year-old who is on a 10 -regimen dose of
gentamicin should instruct the mother to
a. Have the vision tested in 6 weeks
b. Have the gentamicin levels tested in 6 weeks
c. Have the peripheral nervous system tested in 6 weeks
d. Have the hearing tested in 6 weeks
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
Some antibiotics, including streptom ycin and gentamicin, can damage
the auditory nerve, impairing hearing.
4. An intensive care unit nurse does not notice the noise within her
environment. However, t he patients family member states, How can you
stand it in here? The lights, sounds, and activit y would drive me craz y and
I couldnt take it. The nurse has adapted to her
a. Intensive care unit work
b. Intensive care unit environment
c. Threatening stimuli
d. Nursing career
CORRECT ANSWER: B
, Feedback:
Sensory stimulation in the environment effects sensory perception.
After routine exposure to stimulation, the body adapts.
5. To meet the learning needs of the older adult, the nurse incorporates
which of the following considerations in planning to teach a 73 -year-old
diabetic patient about insulin administration?
a. Requesting hearing aids to help the patient receive information
b. Using numerous handouts and detailed teaching plan
c. Allowing more time for the processin g of the information
d. Demonstrating a wide variet y of syringes and techniques
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Feedback:
As a person approaches 60 to 70 years of age, marked decrements in
sensory/perceptual behaviors begin. This reduction in efficiency means
that older people cannot process sensory input as rapidl y as they did
when they were young.
6. When a new mother asks the nurse whether her newborn infant can see
her, the best response by the nurse is to tell the mother that her infant
a. Cannot see for 2 weeks of age
b. Can differentiate objects onl y
c. Can differentiate colors onl y
d. Can see light and dark patterns
CORRECT ANSWER: D
