Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A 62-year-old woman presents to the PMHNP for an evaluation. She is concerned she is developing dementia due to her significant family history. Which of the following would help the PMHNP make a diagnosis of pseudodementia rather than dementia?
A. Patients with pseudodementia are more likely to say "I don't know" when uncertain.
Individuals with pseudodementia, often related to depression, tend to respond to cognitive testing with "I don’t know" when uncertain, showing awareness of deficits. This contrasts with true dementia, where patients often confabulate or attempt to answer despite impaired memory.
B. In patients with dementia, attention and concentration are variable.
In dementia, attention and concentration are consistently impaired, not highly variable. This makes the statement inaccurate for distinguishing pseudodementia.
C. Patients with true dementia are less likely to have language impairment and to confabulate.
True dementia commonly involves language impairment and confabulation. The statement is incorrect in suggesting the opposite.
D. In patients with pseudodementia, intellectual performance is usually global, and impairment is consistently poor.
In pseudodementia, intellectual performance is typically intact outside of depressive episodes, and deficits are inconsistent, making the statement inaccurate.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Mental Health Northern Kentucky University Proctored Exam 6. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Individuals with pseudodementia, often related to depression, tend to respond to cognitive testing with "I don’t know" when uncertain, showing awareness of deficits. This contrasts with true dementia, where patients often confabulate or attempt to answer despite impaired memory.
Choice B reason: In dementia, attention and concentration are consistently impaired, not highly variable. This makes the statement inaccurate for distinguishing pseudodementia.
Choice C reason: True dementia commonly involves language impairment and confabulation. The statement is incorrect in suggesting the opposite.
Choice D reason: In pseudodementia, intellectual performance is typically intact outside of depressive episodes, and deficits are inconsistent, making the statement inaccurate.
Similar Questions
A mother presents to the nurse practitioner with her 10-year-old son for a routine well check and a flu shot. She asks the NP if there are any vaccines he is not up-to-date on. The NP explains that the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) is indicated for which of the following groups?
A. Girls and women aged 9-26
HPV vaccination is not limited to females; males are also recommended to receive it for prevention of HPV-related diseases.
B. Boys and men aged 9-26
While males are indicated, vaccination is not limited to them; females are also recommended.
C. Girls and boys aged 11-12
While routine vaccination is ideally given at ages 11-12, catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26, making this choice incomplete.
D. All children and adults aged 9-26
The HPV vaccine is indicated for all children and adults aged 9-26, including both genders, for both routine and catch-up vaccination.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: HPV vaccination is not limited to females; males are also recommended to receive it for prevention of HPV-related diseases.
Choice B reason: While males are indicated, vaccination is not limited to them; females are also recommended.
Choice C reason: While routine vaccination is ideally given at ages 11-12, catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26, making this choice incomplete.
Choice D reason: The HPV vaccine is indicated for all children and adults aged 9-26, including both genders, for both routine and catch-up vaccination.
The NP is providing teaching to a 53-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. Which statement by the woman would indicate a need for further teaching?
A. “I should avoid weight-bearing activities to reduce my risk of fractures.”
Avoiding weight-bearing activity is contraindicated in osteoporosis management. Regular weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones and improve balance, reducing fracture risk.
B. “I'm going to sign up for a yoga class, which will help my balance.”
Yoga improves balance, flexibility, and strength, contributing positively to osteoporosis management and fall prevention.
C. “I will stop smoking and drinking alcohol to reduce my risk of fractures.”
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption negatively affect bone density; cessation is an important preventive measure.
D. “I will start taking calcium to help strengthen my bones.”
Adequate calcium intake supports bone health and is essential in osteoporosis management, along with vitamin D and exercise.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Avoiding weight-bearing activity is contraindicated in osteoporosis management. Regular weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones and improve balance, reducing fracture risk.
Choice B reason: Yoga improves balance, flexibility, and strength, contributing positively to osteoporosis management and fall prevention.
Choice C reason: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption negatively affect bone density; cessation is an important preventive measure.
Choice D reason: Adequate calcium intake supports bone health and is essential in osteoporosis management, along with vitamin D and exercise.
A 19-year-old woman who prefers not to take medication uses a diffuser with lavender essential oil to help her calm down and fall asleep at night. Which biologically based therapy is she using?
A. Herbal therapy
Herbal therapy refers to consuming plant-based remedies orally or topically, rather than inhaling essential oils.
B. Supplements
Supplements are ingested substances, such as minerals or nutraceuticals, not inhaled essential oils.
C. Vitamins
Vitamins are micronutrients taken orally to address deficiencies, not used via diffusers for relaxation.
D. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves the inhalation of essential oils, like lavender, to produce physiological and psychological benefits, such as relaxation and improved sleep.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Herbal therapy refers to consuming plant-based remedies orally or topically, rather than inhaling essential oils.
Choice B reason: Supplements are ingested substances, such as minerals or nutraceuticals, not inhaled essential oils.
Choice C reason: Vitamins are micronutrients taken orally to address deficiencies, not used via diffusers for relaxation.
Choice D reason: Aromatherapy involves the inhalation of essential oils, like lavender, to produce physiological and psychological benefits, such as relaxation and improved sleep.