Chapter 30: Brain Stimulation Methods
Multiple Choice
1. A nurse administers pure oxygen to a client during and after electroconvulsive therapy. What
is the nurses rationale for this procedure?
A. To prevent increased intracranial pressure resulting from anoxia
B. To prevent hypotension, bradycardia, and bradypnea due to electrical stimulation
C. To prevent anoxia due to medication-induced paralysis of respiratory muscles
D. To prevent blocked airway resulting from seizure activity
ANS: C
The nurse administers 100% oxygen during and after electroconvulsive therapy to prevent anoxia
due to medication-induced paralysis of respiratory muscles. Electroconvulsive therapy is the
induction of a grand mal seizure through the application of electrical current to the brain.
2. Immediately after electroconvulsive therapy, in which position should a nurse place the client?
A. On his or her side to prevent aspiration
B. In semi-Fowlers position to promote oxygenation
C. In Trendelenburgs position to promote blood flow to vital organs
D. In prone position to prevent airway blockage
ANS: A
The nurse should place a client who has received electroconvulsive therapy on his or her side to
prevent aspiration. After the treatment, most clients will awaken within 10 to 15 minutes and will
be confused and disoriented. Some clients will sleep for 1 to 2 hours. All clients require close
observation following treatment.
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,3. A nursing instructor is teaching about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which student
statement indicates that learning has occurred?
A. During ECT a state of euphoria is induced.
B. ECT induces a grand mal seizure.
C. During ECT a state of catatonia is induced.
D. ECT induces a petit mal seizure.
ANS: B
Electroconvulsive therapy is the induction of a grand mal seizure through the application of
electrical current to the brain for the purpose of decreasing depression.
4. A chronically depressed and suicidal client is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client is
scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). During the course of ECT, a nurse should
recognize the continued need for which critical intervention?
A. Suicide assessment must continue throughout the ECT course.
B. Antidepressant medications are contraindicated throughout the ECT course.
C. Discourage expressions of hopelessness throughout the ECT course.
D. Encourage a high-caloric diet throughout the ECT course.
ANS: A
ECT is an intervention for major depression that often includes suicidal ideations as a symptom.
Continued suicide assessment is needed because mood improvement due to ECT may cause the
client to act on suicidal ideations.
5. After undergoing two of nine electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures, a client states, I
cant even remember eating breakfast, so I want to stop the ECT. Which is the most appropriate
nursing reply?
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, A. After you begin the course of treatments, you must complete all of them.
B. Youll need to talk with your doctor about what youre thinking.
C. It is within your right to discontinue the treatments, but lets talk about your concerns.
D. Memory loss is a rare side effect of the treatment. I dont think it should be a concern.
ANS: C
The client has the right to terminate treatment. This nursing reply acknowledges this right but
focuses on the clients concerns so that the nurse can provide needed information.
6. Immediately after an initial electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedure, a client states, Im not
hungry and just want to stay in bed and sleep. On the basis of this information, which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Allow the client to remain in bed.
B. Encourage the client to join the milieu to promote socialization.
C. Obtain a physicians order for parenteral nutrition.
D. Involve the client in physical activities to stimulate circulation.
ANS: A
Immediately after electroconvulsive therapy a nurse should monitor pulse, respirations, and
blood pressure every 15 minutes for the first hour, during which time the client should remain in
bed.
7. A nurse administers ordered preoperative glycopyrrolate (Robinul) 30 minutes prior to a
clients electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedure. What is the rationale for administering this
medication?
A. Robinul decreases anxiety during the ECT procedure.
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Multiple Choice
1. A nurse administers pure oxygen to a client during and after electroconvulsive therapy. What
is the nurses rationale for this procedure?
A. To prevent increased intracranial pressure resulting from anoxia
B. To prevent hypotension, bradycardia, and bradypnea due to electrical stimulation
C. To prevent anoxia due to medication-induced paralysis of respiratory muscles
D. To prevent blocked airway resulting from seizure activity
ANS: C
The nurse administers 100% oxygen during and after electroconvulsive therapy to prevent anoxia
due to medication-induced paralysis of respiratory muscles. Electroconvulsive therapy is the
induction of a grand mal seizure through the application of electrical current to the brain.
2. Immediately after electroconvulsive therapy, in which position should a nurse place the client?
A. On his or her side to prevent aspiration
B. In semi-Fowlers position to promote oxygenation
C. In Trendelenburgs position to promote blood flow to vital organs
D. In prone position to prevent airway blockage
ANS: A
The nurse should place a client who has received electroconvulsive therapy on his or her side to
prevent aspiration. After the treatment, most clients will awaken within 10 to 15 minutes and will
be confused and disoriented. Some clients will sleep for 1 to 2 hours. All clients require close
observation following treatment.
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,3. A nursing instructor is teaching about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which student
statement indicates that learning has occurred?
A. During ECT a state of euphoria is induced.
B. ECT induces a grand mal seizure.
C. During ECT a state of catatonia is induced.
D. ECT induces a petit mal seizure.
ANS: B
Electroconvulsive therapy is the induction of a grand mal seizure through the application of
electrical current to the brain for the purpose of decreasing depression.
4. A chronically depressed and suicidal client is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client is
scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). During the course of ECT, a nurse should
recognize the continued need for which critical intervention?
A. Suicide assessment must continue throughout the ECT course.
B. Antidepressant medications are contraindicated throughout the ECT course.
C. Discourage expressions of hopelessness throughout the ECT course.
D. Encourage a high-caloric diet throughout the ECT course.
ANS: A
ECT is an intervention for major depression that often includes suicidal ideations as a symptom.
Continued suicide assessment is needed because mood improvement due to ECT may cause the
client to act on suicidal ideations.
5. After undergoing two of nine electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures, a client states, I
cant even remember eating breakfast, so I want to stop the ECT. Which is the most appropriate
nursing reply?
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, A. After you begin the course of treatments, you must complete all of them.
B. Youll need to talk with your doctor about what youre thinking.
C. It is within your right to discontinue the treatments, but lets talk about your concerns.
D. Memory loss is a rare side effect of the treatment. I dont think it should be a concern.
ANS: C
The client has the right to terminate treatment. This nursing reply acknowledges this right but
focuses on the clients concerns so that the nurse can provide needed information.
6. Immediately after an initial electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedure, a client states, Im not
hungry and just want to stay in bed and sleep. On the basis of this information, which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Allow the client to remain in bed.
B. Encourage the client to join the milieu to promote socialization.
C. Obtain a physicians order for parenteral nutrition.
D. Involve the client in physical activities to stimulate circulation.
ANS: A
Immediately after electroconvulsive therapy a nurse should monitor pulse, respirations, and
blood pressure every 15 minutes for the first hour, during which time the client should remain in
bed.
7. A nurse administers ordered preoperative glycopyrrolate (Robinul) 30 minutes prior to a
clients electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedure. What is the rationale for administering this
medication?
A. Robinul decreases anxiety during the ECT procedure.
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