Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A client with Alzheimer's is having increased behavioral issues that have become a safety concern for the client and others. Which of the following medications will the nurse discuss with the physician for inclusion in the client's care plan?
A. Sedatives
Rationale: Sedatives may not be the first choice for managing behavioral issues in clients with Alzheimer's disease, as they can increase confusion and fall risk.
B. Antipsychotics
Rationale: Antipsychotics may be considered in cases where behavioral issues pose a safety concern. They can help manage agitation, aggression, and other challenging behaviors.
C. Cholinesterase inhibitors
Rationale: Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease but may not directly address behavioral issues.
D. Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors
Rationale: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are typically used to manage mood disorders and may not be the first-line choice for behavioral issues in Alzheimer's disease.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Paediatrics Proctored Exam 1. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Sedatives may not be the first choice for managing behavioral issues in clients with Alzheimer's disease, as they can increase confusion and fall risk.
Choice B Rationale: Antipsychotics may be considered in cases where behavioral issues pose a safety concern. They can help manage agitation, aggression, and other challenging behaviors.
Choice C Rationale: Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease but may not directly address behavioral issues.
Choice D Rationale: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are typically used to manage mood disorders and may not be the first-line choice for behavioral issues in Alzheimer's disease.
Similar Questions
When administering the Mini-Cog exam to a patient with possible Alzheimer's disease, which action will the nurse take?
A. Check the patient's orientation to time and date.
Rationale: Checking the patient's orientation to time and date is a part of assessing cognitive function but is not specific to the Mini-Cog exam.
B. Obtain a list of the patient's prescribed medications.
Rationale: Obtaining a list of the patient's prescribed medications is important for the overall assessment but is not specific to the Mini-Cog exam.
C. Determine the patient's ability to recognize a common object.
Rationale: Determining the patient's ability to recognize a common object is not a component of the Mini-Cog exam.
D. Ask the patient to draw a clock with a specific time
Rationale: Asking the patient to draw a clock with a specific time is a key component of the Mini-Cog exam, which assesses cognitive impairment and is commonly used to screen for Alzheimer's disease.
Full Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Checking the patient's orientation to time and date is a part of assessing cognitive function but is not specific to the Mini-Cog exam.
Choice B Rationale: Obtaining a list of the patient's prescribed medications is important for the overall assessment but is not specific to the Mini-Cog exam.
Choice C Rationale: Determining the patient's ability to recognize a common object is not a component of the Mini-Cog exam.
Choice D Rationale: Asking the patient to draw a clock with a specific time is a key component of the Mini-Cog exam, which assesses cognitive impairment and is commonly used to screen for Alzheimer's disease.

A nurse in the emergency department is monitoring a client who has a cervical spinal cord injury from a fall. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following complications? (Select all that apply.)
A. Weakened gag reflex
Choice A Rationale: A weakened gag reflex is a potential complication of a cervical spinal cord injury and can lead to difficulties in swallowing and increased risk of aspiration.
B. Hyperthermia
Choice B Rationale: Hyperthermia can occur as a result of autonomic dysfunction associated with spinal cord injuries, especially when the injury is at a high cervical level.
C. Absence of bowel sounds
Choice C Rationale: Absence of bowel sounds is not typically associated with cervical spinal cord injuries but may be seen in lower spinal cord injuries.
D. Hypotension
Choice D Rationale: Hypotension is a potential complication due to impaired autonomic regulation in cervical spinal cord injuries.
E. Polyuria
Rationale: Polyuria is not typically associated with cervical spinal cord injuries but may occur in cases of lower spinal cord injuries affecting bladder function.
Full Explanation
Choice A Rationale: A weakened gag reflex is a potential complication of a cervical spinal cord injury and can lead to difficulties in swallowing and increased risk of aspiration.
Choice B Rationale: Hyperthermia can occur as a result of autonomic dysfunction associated with spinal cord injuries, especially when the injury is at a high cervical level.
Choice C Rationale: Absence of bowel sounds is not typically associated with cervical spinal cord injuries but may be seen in lower spinal cord injuries.
Choice D Rationale: Hypotension is a potential complication due to impaired autonomic regulation in cervical spinal cord injuries.
Choice E Rationale: Polyuria is not typically associated with cervical spinal cord injuries but may occur in cases of lower spinal cord injuries affecting bladder function.
When caring for the client hospitalized with tetanus, which of the following will the nurse include in the care plan?
A. Educate about the importance of proper food handling
Rationale: Educating about the importance of proper food handling is important for preventing foodborne illnesses but is not specific to the care of a client with tetanus.
B. Offer food at least 4 times a day
Rationale: Offering food at least 4 times a day may be necessary for maintaining nutritional support, but it does not address the specific care needs of a client with tetanus.
C. Anticipate administration of opioids
Rationale: Anticipating administration of opioids is an important component of the care plan for tetanus. Opioids can help manage muscle spasms and severe pain associated with tetanus.
D. Provide distraction activities
Rationale: Providing distraction activities may be beneficial for clients with tetanus to help divert their attention from muscle spasms and discomfort, but it is not the primary intervention.
Full Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Educating about the importance of proper food handling is important for preventing foodborne illnesses but is not specific to the care of a client with tetanus.
Choice B Rationale: Offering food at least 4 times a day may be necessary for maintaining nutritional support, but it does not address the specific care needs of a client with tetanus.
Choice C Rationale: Anticipating administration of opioids is an important component of the care plan for tetanus. Opioids can help manage muscle spasms and severe pain associated with tetanus.
Choice D Rationale: Providing distraction activities may be beneficial for clients with tetanus to help divert their attention from muscle spasms and discomfort, but it is not the primary intervention.