TESTBANK MENTAL HEALTH - CH 56
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which combination of medications could be used to treat an anxiety disorder? -
Answer-Effexor and Ativan
A combination of an antidepressant and anxiolytic medication is recommended as
the appropriate drug therapy for the patient with an anxiety disorder. Xanax, Librium,
Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin are all anxiolytic medications. Haldol is a neuroleptic
medication, and Effexor is an antidepressant. p. 1290 TOP: Drug-Related
Responses
Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for all patients with an anxiety, a somatoform,
or a dissociative disorder? - Answer-Ineffective coping
Ineffective coping is appropriate for all three disorders. Ineffective coping is the
underlying psychopathologic process of these anxiety disorders. p. 1291 TOP:
Nursing Care of the Patient with an Anxiety Disorder
A patient who went away to college in September returns in October, thinking that he
is a drummer in a popular rock band. What is this most likely a manifestation of? -
Answer-Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. The patient experiences
delusions that are characteristic of schizophrenia in a classic stress situation, which
may have been the precipitating event that caused the thought disorder. p. 1291
TOP: Schizophrenia
A patient is receiving large doses of chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and begins to
exhibit extrapyramidal signs of involuntary muscle movement. Which classification of
drugs should the nurse anticipate will be added to the patient's protocol? - Answer-
Antiparkinsonian
Antiparkinsonian drugs will control the muscle movement and drooling that are the
major signs of neuroleptic toxicity. p. 1292 TOP: Neuroleptic Medications
A long-time patient with schizophrenia in the inpatient unit has developed involuntary
movements of his tongue. What has this patient developed? - Answer-Tardive
dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect of continued use of neuroleptic medications to
control schizophrenia. p. 1292 TOP: Schizophrenia
, 16. Which is not considered as a probable cause of mood disorders? - Answer-
Traumatic event in childhood
A traumatic event in childhood could, most likely, cause PTSD. All other options are
causes of mood disorders. p. 1295 TOP: Mood Disorders
A patient with bipolar disorder is being treated with tricyclic medications. What
should the nurse inform the patient to expect when teaching information concerning
side effects? - Answer-Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension and urinary retention are side effects of tricyclic
antidepressants. These drugs are commonly used to treat the depressant effects of
bipolar disorders. p. 1295 TOP: Drug Treatment
What should a nurse suspect a patient diagnosis might be when the patient states, "I
often feel restless, have a tight sensation in my chest, and have an increased heart
rate at times"? - Answer-Anxiety disorder
The patient is reporting symptoms that reflect signs of an anxiety disorder. p. 1287
TOP: Anxiety Disorders
A group of nursing students are taking their first major examination. What should the
nursing instructor expect the students might experience? - Answer-Mild anxiety
The students are usually experiencing mild anxiety, which can be beneficial as a
motivator. p. 1287 TOP: Anxiety Disorders
A patient is admitted with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) says he had a very
stressful experience when in high school and has never really recovered. What is the
most appropriate nursing action? - Answer-Guide the patient in relaxation techniques
to distract him when flashbacks occur.
Patients with PTSD should not be encouraged to talk about the traumatic event. The
patient should learn relaxation techniques to distract themselves when anxiety
symptoms begin. Sedation does not address the problem of anxiety. p. 1289 TOP:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
A patient admitted with a conversion disorder after an automobile accident insists he
is paralyzed, although no physical cause for his paraplegia can be found. What is the
best nursing response when the patient asks the nurse to push him to his room? -
Answer-"OK. I am going that way myself."
The patient is experiencing dysfunction without a discernible cause, but this
dysfunction is very real to him. The less attention brought to his coping mechanism,
the better. p. 1289 | p. 1291 TOP: Somatoform Disorders
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which combination of medications could be used to treat an anxiety disorder? -
Answer-Effexor and Ativan
A combination of an antidepressant and anxiolytic medication is recommended as
the appropriate drug therapy for the patient with an anxiety disorder. Xanax, Librium,
Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin are all anxiolytic medications. Haldol is a neuroleptic
medication, and Effexor is an antidepressant. p. 1290 TOP: Drug-Related
Responses
Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for all patients with an anxiety, a somatoform,
or a dissociative disorder? - Answer-Ineffective coping
Ineffective coping is appropriate for all three disorders. Ineffective coping is the
underlying psychopathologic process of these anxiety disorders. p. 1291 TOP:
Nursing Care of the Patient with an Anxiety Disorder
A patient who went away to college in September returns in October, thinking that he
is a drummer in a popular rock band. What is this most likely a manifestation of? -
Answer-Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. The patient experiences
delusions that are characteristic of schizophrenia in a classic stress situation, which
may have been the precipitating event that caused the thought disorder. p. 1291
TOP: Schizophrenia
A patient is receiving large doses of chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and begins to
exhibit extrapyramidal signs of involuntary muscle movement. Which classification of
drugs should the nurse anticipate will be added to the patient's protocol? - Answer-
Antiparkinsonian
Antiparkinsonian drugs will control the muscle movement and drooling that are the
major signs of neuroleptic toxicity. p. 1292 TOP: Neuroleptic Medications
A long-time patient with schizophrenia in the inpatient unit has developed involuntary
movements of his tongue. What has this patient developed? - Answer-Tardive
dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect of continued use of neuroleptic medications to
control schizophrenia. p. 1292 TOP: Schizophrenia
, 16. Which is not considered as a probable cause of mood disorders? - Answer-
Traumatic event in childhood
A traumatic event in childhood could, most likely, cause PTSD. All other options are
causes of mood disorders. p. 1295 TOP: Mood Disorders
A patient with bipolar disorder is being treated with tricyclic medications. What
should the nurse inform the patient to expect when teaching information concerning
side effects? - Answer-Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension and urinary retention are side effects of tricyclic
antidepressants. These drugs are commonly used to treat the depressant effects of
bipolar disorders. p. 1295 TOP: Drug Treatment
What should a nurse suspect a patient diagnosis might be when the patient states, "I
often feel restless, have a tight sensation in my chest, and have an increased heart
rate at times"? - Answer-Anxiety disorder
The patient is reporting symptoms that reflect signs of an anxiety disorder. p. 1287
TOP: Anxiety Disorders
A group of nursing students are taking their first major examination. What should the
nursing instructor expect the students might experience? - Answer-Mild anxiety
The students are usually experiencing mild anxiety, which can be beneficial as a
motivator. p. 1287 TOP: Anxiety Disorders
A patient is admitted with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) says he had a very
stressful experience when in high school and has never really recovered. What is the
most appropriate nursing action? - Answer-Guide the patient in relaxation techniques
to distract him when flashbacks occur.
Patients with PTSD should not be encouraged to talk about the traumatic event. The
patient should learn relaxation techniques to distract themselves when anxiety
symptoms begin. Sedation does not address the problem of anxiety. p. 1289 TOP:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
A patient admitted with a conversion disorder after an automobile accident insists he
is paralyzed, although no physical cause for his paraplegia can be found. What is the
best nursing response when the patient asks the nurse to push him to his room? -
Answer-"OK. I am going that way myself."
The patient is experiencing dysfunction without a discernible cause, but this
dysfunction is very real to him. The less attention brought to his coping mechanism,
the better. p. 1289 | p. 1291 TOP: Somatoform Disorders
