NURS 4750 Exam
NURS 4750 Exam 1 Questions and
Answers 2025
What are some symptoms of Anxiety? - - Muscle tension
- Tingling in hands
- Feelings of apprehension
- Difficulty falling/staying asleep
- Psychomotor agitation (fidgeting, jitteriness, restlessness)
- Tightened or wrinkled brow
- Palpitations
- Strained (worried) facial expression
- Hypervigilance (scans environment)
- Startles easily
- Sweaty palms
- Fragmented sleep pattern
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
What are the early symptoms of ICU psychosis? - - Sudden onset
- Cognitive function impairment
- Restlessness, agitation, and combative behavior
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech, inappropriate statements or "word salad," mumbling or inappropriate
gestures
- Short attention spans (need questions repeated); inability to learn new material
- Disordered awake-sleep cycle
NURS 4750 Exam
,NURS 4750 Exam
- Disorientation to person, place, time, and situation
- Difficulty in separating dreams form reality (may experiences bizarre
dreams/nightmares)
- Anger at staff for continued questions about his or her orientation
What are the late symptoms of ICU psychosis? - - S/S tend to fluctuate throughout the
day and night
- Early symptoms continue and may be more frequent and of longer duration
- Illusions
- Hallucinations
- Extreme agitation (attempts to climb out of bed, pull out catheters, rip off dressings)
- Calling out in loud voice, swearing, or attempting to bite or hit
What are some contributing factors to ICU psychosis? - - Threats of death
- Threat of survival with significant residual problems
- Pain or discomfort
- Lack of sleep
- Loss of autonomy
- Loss of control over environment (loss of privacy, lights, and noises)
- Separation from family or significant others
- Loss of dignity
- Boredom
- Loss of ability to express self verbally when intubated
What is the proper way to handle an ICU pt. who is having hallucinations? - - Approach
the pt. with a calm demeanor
NURS 4750 Exam
,NURS 4750 Exam
- In responding to hallucinations -- do NOT deny, argue, or attempt to disprove the
existence of the perceived event
- Express to the pt. that your experience is different and acknowledge how frightening his
or hers must be
- DO NOT explore the content of the hallucination
- Talk concretely about things that are really happening
What is the proper way to handle an ICU pt. who is having delusions? - - Explain all
unseen noises, voices, and activity simply and clearly
- Avoid the "negative challenge" of the delusion
- Do not engage in unnecessary laughter or whispering
For the pt. with persecutory delusions who refuses food or meds due to the belief they are
poisoned or tainted, how would you handle their care? - - Permit refusal if not life
threatening
- Try back in 20 mins.
- Allow the pt. to choose alternatives or read labels
What are the clinical manifestations of end of life? - - Cheyne-Stokes respirations
- Death rattle
- Weakness/drowsy
- Unresponsive
- Pain
- Fear/anxiety
- N/V
- Incontinence
- Constipation
NURS 4750 Exam
, NURS 4750 Exam
- Renal failure
What are some interventions to manage the symptoms of respiratory distress at the end of
life? - - Opioids (morphine - liquid form)
- O2
- Bronchodilators (ex: Albuterol, Zoponex)
- Steroids (ex: Solumedrol, Solucortif)
- Diuretics (ex: Lasix, Bumex)
- Antibiotics -- if an infection is causing the resp. distress (ex: Vanco, Zosyn)
- Anticholinergics (Scopolamine patch)
What are some interventions to manage the symptoms of N/V at the end of life? - -
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Laxatives
- Disimpaction
- Aromatherapy (Peppermint, Lavender)
What are some interventions to manage the symptoms of fear and anxiety at the end of
life? - - Therapeutic touch
- Benzos (Xanax, Ativan)
- Haloperidol (Haldol)
What is an instructional directive? - States type and amount of care a person would want
if incapacitated (i.e. Living will or medical directives such as DNR)
NURS 4750 Exam
NURS 4750 Exam 1 Questions and
Answers 2025
What are some symptoms of Anxiety? - - Muscle tension
- Tingling in hands
- Feelings of apprehension
- Difficulty falling/staying asleep
- Psychomotor agitation (fidgeting, jitteriness, restlessness)
- Tightened or wrinkled brow
- Palpitations
- Strained (worried) facial expression
- Hypervigilance (scans environment)
- Startles easily
- Sweaty palms
- Fragmented sleep pattern
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
What are the early symptoms of ICU psychosis? - - Sudden onset
- Cognitive function impairment
- Restlessness, agitation, and combative behavior
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech, inappropriate statements or "word salad," mumbling or inappropriate
gestures
- Short attention spans (need questions repeated); inability to learn new material
- Disordered awake-sleep cycle
NURS 4750 Exam
,NURS 4750 Exam
- Disorientation to person, place, time, and situation
- Difficulty in separating dreams form reality (may experiences bizarre
dreams/nightmares)
- Anger at staff for continued questions about his or her orientation
What are the late symptoms of ICU psychosis? - - S/S tend to fluctuate throughout the
day and night
- Early symptoms continue and may be more frequent and of longer duration
- Illusions
- Hallucinations
- Extreme agitation (attempts to climb out of bed, pull out catheters, rip off dressings)
- Calling out in loud voice, swearing, or attempting to bite or hit
What are some contributing factors to ICU psychosis? - - Threats of death
- Threat of survival with significant residual problems
- Pain or discomfort
- Lack of sleep
- Loss of autonomy
- Loss of control over environment (loss of privacy, lights, and noises)
- Separation from family or significant others
- Loss of dignity
- Boredom
- Loss of ability to express self verbally when intubated
What is the proper way to handle an ICU pt. who is having hallucinations? - - Approach
the pt. with a calm demeanor
NURS 4750 Exam
,NURS 4750 Exam
- In responding to hallucinations -- do NOT deny, argue, or attempt to disprove the
existence of the perceived event
- Express to the pt. that your experience is different and acknowledge how frightening his
or hers must be
- DO NOT explore the content of the hallucination
- Talk concretely about things that are really happening
What is the proper way to handle an ICU pt. who is having delusions? - - Explain all
unseen noises, voices, and activity simply and clearly
- Avoid the "negative challenge" of the delusion
- Do not engage in unnecessary laughter or whispering
For the pt. with persecutory delusions who refuses food or meds due to the belief they are
poisoned or tainted, how would you handle their care? - - Permit refusal if not life
threatening
- Try back in 20 mins.
- Allow the pt. to choose alternatives or read labels
What are the clinical manifestations of end of life? - - Cheyne-Stokes respirations
- Death rattle
- Weakness/drowsy
- Unresponsive
- Pain
- Fear/anxiety
- N/V
- Incontinence
- Constipation
NURS 4750 Exam
, NURS 4750 Exam
- Renal failure
What are some interventions to manage the symptoms of respiratory distress at the end of
life? - - Opioids (morphine - liquid form)
- O2
- Bronchodilators (ex: Albuterol, Zoponex)
- Steroids (ex: Solumedrol, Solucortif)
- Diuretics (ex: Lasix, Bumex)
- Antibiotics -- if an infection is causing the resp. distress (ex: Vanco, Zosyn)
- Anticholinergics (Scopolamine patch)
What are some interventions to manage the symptoms of N/V at the end of life? - -
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Laxatives
- Disimpaction
- Aromatherapy (Peppermint, Lavender)
What are some interventions to manage the symptoms of fear and anxiety at the end of
life? - - Therapeutic touch
- Benzos (Xanax, Ativan)
- Haloperidol (Haldol)
What is an instructional directive? - States type and amount of care a person would want
if incapacitated (i.e. Living will or medical directives such as DNR)
NURS 4750 Exam
