PSYCHOSOCIAL INTEGRITY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS!!
When working with clients in crisis, the nurse must be aware that crisis intervention differs
from other forms of therapeutic intervention in that crisis intervention focuses on which
concern(s)?
Correct response:
Determining immediate problems, as perceived by the client, with the short-term goal of problem
solving
Explanation:
Focusing on the immediate problem and short-term goals to solve that problem are the priorities
of the nurse dealing with crisis intervention work. Delving into the complete history is not the
priority because it takes time away from resolving the immediate crisis. The client's role in the
problem is not the goal of this sort of intervention, but rather of longer term therapy that would
hopefully prevent future crises. This is also true for assisting the client to identify what sort of
patterns exist in his/her problems.
The school nurse is discussing healthy eating strategies with a group of 8-year-old students.
One student repeatedly makes comments of a sexual nature. The student seems to be
preoccupied with sexual comments and is knowledgeable regarding a variety of sexual
activities. Which of the following is the most crucial intervention for the nurse to take to
manage the student's behavior?
Correct response:
Investigate the possibility that the student may have been sexually abused.
,Explanation:
When a child appears to be preoccupied with sexual comments and is knowledgeable regarding
sexual activities, the nurse should suspect that the child may have been sexually abused and
should explore the situation. The other options are possible, but the extent of this behavior is
neither "typical," nor does it reflect one instance of viewing mature video content. The nurse
should pursue and ensure the child's safety and investigate further.
A nurse notices that a depressed client who has been taking amitriptyline hydrochloride for
2 weeks has become very outgoing, cheerful, and talkative. The nurse suspects that the
client:
is responding appropriately to the antipsychotic. may be experiencing increased energy and
is at increased risk for suicide. is ready to be discharged from treatment. is experiencing a
split personality.
Correct response:
may be experiencing increased energy and is at increased risk for suicide.
Explanation:
As antidepressants take effect, an individual suffering from depression may begin to feel
energetic enough to mobilize a suicide plan. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant, not an
antipsychotic. The client shouldn't be discharged until his risk of suicide has diminished. His
elevated mood is a response to the antidepressant, not an indication of a split personality.
An intoxicated client is admitted to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal. What should the
nurse do to help the client become sober?
,Give the client black coffee to drink. Walk the client around the unit. Have the client take a
cold shower. Provide the client with a quiet room to sleep in.
Correct response:
Provide the client with a quiet room to sleep in.
Explanation:
The nurse should provide the client with a quiet room to sleep in. Alcohol is destroyed and
oxidized in the body at a slow, steady rate. The rate of alcohol metabolism is not influenced by
drinking black coffee, walking around the unit, or taking a cold shower. Therefore, it is best to
have the client sleep off the effects of the alcohol.
Which would be most helpful when coaching a client to stop smoking?
Review the negative effects of smoking on the body. Discuss the effects of passive smoking
on environmental pollution. Establish the client's daily smoking pattern. Explain how
smoking worsens high blood pressure.
Correct response:
Establish the client's daily smoking pattern.
Explanation:
A plan to reduce or stop smoking begins with establishing the client's personal daily smoking
pattern and activities associated with smoking. It is important that the client understands the
associated health and environmental risks, but this knowledge has not been shown to help clients
change their smoking behavior.
, The nurse is caring for a client with a panic attack. Which nursing intervention is most
helpful for this client?
Encourage the client to identify what precipitated the attack Encourage the client to
verbalize any fears, feelings, or concerns Stay with the client and remaining calm,
confident, and reassuring Encourage the client to learn relaxation techniques
Correct response:
Stay with the client and remaining calm, confident, and reassuring
Explanation:
A panic-stricken client requires the assistance of a calm person who can provide support and
direction. This approach is particularly important because the client already feels frightened and
out of control. Having someone remain with the client helps prevent him from feeling isolated
and deserted. Encouraging the client to verbalize any fears, feelings, or concerns or encouraging
the client to identify what precipitated the attack is futile because the client's level of anxiety
prevents him from focusing on precipitating factors. Also, encouraging the client to learn
relaxation techniques is not possible at this time as the client is unable to learn new information
when the anxiety level is at the panic level. Staying with the client is the best action for the
nurse.
A client with major depression and suicidal ideation is suddenly calmer and more
energetic. Which conclusion should the nurse reach?
The client is improving. The client's medication dosage is too high. The client is
overstimulated. The client is imminently suicidal.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS!!
When working with clients in crisis, the nurse must be aware that crisis intervention differs
from other forms of therapeutic intervention in that crisis intervention focuses on which
concern(s)?
Correct response:
Determining immediate problems, as perceived by the client, with the short-term goal of problem
solving
Explanation:
Focusing on the immediate problem and short-term goals to solve that problem are the priorities
of the nurse dealing with crisis intervention work. Delving into the complete history is not the
priority because it takes time away from resolving the immediate crisis. The client's role in the
problem is not the goal of this sort of intervention, but rather of longer term therapy that would
hopefully prevent future crises. This is also true for assisting the client to identify what sort of
patterns exist in his/her problems.
The school nurse is discussing healthy eating strategies with a group of 8-year-old students.
One student repeatedly makes comments of a sexual nature. The student seems to be
preoccupied with sexual comments and is knowledgeable regarding a variety of sexual
activities. Which of the following is the most crucial intervention for the nurse to take to
manage the student's behavior?
Correct response:
Investigate the possibility that the student may have been sexually abused.
,Explanation:
When a child appears to be preoccupied with sexual comments and is knowledgeable regarding
sexual activities, the nurse should suspect that the child may have been sexually abused and
should explore the situation. The other options are possible, but the extent of this behavior is
neither "typical," nor does it reflect one instance of viewing mature video content. The nurse
should pursue and ensure the child's safety and investigate further.
A nurse notices that a depressed client who has been taking amitriptyline hydrochloride for
2 weeks has become very outgoing, cheerful, and talkative. The nurse suspects that the
client:
is responding appropriately to the antipsychotic. may be experiencing increased energy and
is at increased risk for suicide. is ready to be discharged from treatment. is experiencing a
split personality.
Correct response:
may be experiencing increased energy and is at increased risk for suicide.
Explanation:
As antidepressants take effect, an individual suffering from depression may begin to feel
energetic enough to mobilize a suicide plan. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant, not an
antipsychotic. The client shouldn't be discharged until his risk of suicide has diminished. His
elevated mood is a response to the antidepressant, not an indication of a split personality.
An intoxicated client is admitted to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal. What should the
nurse do to help the client become sober?
,Give the client black coffee to drink. Walk the client around the unit. Have the client take a
cold shower. Provide the client with a quiet room to sleep in.
Correct response:
Provide the client with a quiet room to sleep in.
Explanation:
The nurse should provide the client with a quiet room to sleep in. Alcohol is destroyed and
oxidized in the body at a slow, steady rate. The rate of alcohol metabolism is not influenced by
drinking black coffee, walking around the unit, or taking a cold shower. Therefore, it is best to
have the client sleep off the effects of the alcohol.
Which would be most helpful when coaching a client to stop smoking?
Review the negative effects of smoking on the body. Discuss the effects of passive smoking
on environmental pollution. Establish the client's daily smoking pattern. Explain how
smoking worsens high blood pressure.
Correct response:
Establish the client's daily smoking pattern.
Explanation:
A plan to reduce or stop smoking begins with establishing the client's personal daily smoking
pattern and activities associated with smoking. It is important that the client understands the
associated health and environmental risks, but this knowledge has not been shown to help clients
change their smoking behavior.
, The nurse is caring for a client with a panic attack. Which nursing intervention is most
helpful for this client?
Encourage the client to identify what precipitated the attack Encourage the client to
verbalize any fears, feelings, or concerns Stay with the client and remaining calm,
confident, and reassuring Encourage the client to learn relaxation techniques
Correct response:
Stay with the client and remaining calm, confident, and reassuring
Explanation:
A panic-stricken client requires the assistance of a calm person who can provide support and
direction. This approach is particularly important because the client already feels frightened and
out of control. Having someone remain with the client helps prevent him from feeling isolated
and deserted. Encouraging the client to verbalize any fears, feelings, or concerns or encouraging
the client to identify what precipitated the attack is futile because the client's level of anxiety
prevents him from focusing on precipitating factors. Also, encouraging the client to learn
relaxation techniques is not possible at this time as the client is unable to learn new information
when the anxiety level is at the panic level. Staying with the client is the best action for the
nurse.
A client with major depression and suicidal ideation is suddenly calmer and more
energetic. Which conclusion should the nurse reach?
The client is improving. The client's medication dosage is too high. The client is
overstimulated. The client is imminently suicidal.
