Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is assisting with an admission interview for a client who has schizophrenia. He tells the nurse that he is receiving special audible messages from the Central Intelligence Agency that no one else is able to hear. The nurse should identify that the client is having which of the following alterations in perception?
A. Derealization
Derealization (option a) refers to a subjective feeling of unreality or detachment from the environment. It involves a perception that the external world is strange, distorted, or unreal. This is not the primary alteration in perception described in the scenario.
B. Illusion
Illusion (option b) is a misinterpretation or misperception of a real sensory stimulus. It occurs when a person's perception of an actual stimulus is distorted or misunderstood. There is no indication of a misperception of a real stimulus in the scenario.
C. Hallucination
In the scenario described, the client's experience of receiving special audible messages from the Central Intelligence Agency that no one else can hear indicates a hallucination. Hallucinations are perceptual disturbances in which a person experiences sensory perceptions without any external stimuli. They can occur in any sensory modality, such as hearing (auditory hallucinations), seeing (visual hallucinations), smelling (olfactory hallucinations), tasting (gustatory hallucinations), or feeling (tactile hallucinations). In this case, the client is experiencing auditory hallucinations, as he is perceiving auditory stimuli (audible messages) that are not present in the external environment. Auditory hallucinations are most commonly associated with schizophrenia, although they can occur in other psychiatric disorders as well.
D. Depersonalization
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Full Explanation
c. Hallucination
In the scenario described, the client's experience of receiving special audible messages from the Central Intelligence Agency that no one else can hear indicates a hallucination. Hallucinations are perceptual disturbances in which a person experiences sensory perceptions without any external stimuli. They can occur in any sensory modality, such as hearing (auditory hallucinations), seeing (visual hallucinations), smelling (olfactory hallucinations), tasting (gustatory hallucinations), or feeling (tactile hallucinations).
In this case, the client is experiencing auditory hallucinations, as he is perceiving auditory stimuli (audible messages) that are not present in the external environment. Auditory hallucinations are most commonly associated with schizophrenia, although they can occur in other psychiatric disorders as well.
Derealization (option a) refers to a subjective feeling of unreality or detachment from the environment. It involves a perception that the external world is strange, distorted, or unreal. This is not the primary alteration in perception described in the scenario.
Illusion (option b) is a misinterpretation or misperception of a real sensory stimulus. It occurs when a person's perception of an actual stimulus is distorted or misunderstood. There is no indication of a misperception of a real stimulus in the scenario.
Depersonalization (option d) is a subjective experience of being detached from one's own body, thoughts, or emotions. It involves a feeling of being outside of oneself or observing oneself from a distance. This is not the primary alteration in perception described in the scenario.
Therefore, the correct answer is c. Hallucination, as the client's experience of receiving special audible messages that no one else can hear represents an auditory hallucination.
Similar Questions
A nurse in an urgent care clinic is collecting data from a client who reports having diarrhea for the past 3 days. Which of the following findings indicates hypokalemia?
A. Pitting edema
Pitting edema is not a typical symptom of hypokalemia
B. Diplopia
Diplopiais not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
C. Muscle weakness
A nurse collecting data from a client who reports having diarrhea for the past 3 days should identify that muscle weakness is a symptom of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition in which the blood potassium level is low and can be caused by excessive fluid loss through diarrhea. Potassium helps regulate muscle contractions, so when blood potassium levels are low, muscles may produce weaker contractions which result in muscle weakness.
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Hyperactive bowel soundsare not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
Full Explanation
A nurse collecting data from a client who reports having diarrhea for the past 3 days should identify that muscle weakness is a symptom of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition in which the blood potassium level is low and can be caused by excessive fluid loss through diarrhea. Potassium helps regulate muscle contractions, so when blood potassium levels are low, muscles may produce weaker contractions which result in muscle weakness.
The other options are not typical symptoms of hypokalemia.
a) Pitting edema is not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
b) Diplopia is not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.
d) Hyperactive bowel sounds are not a typical symptom of hypokalemia.

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has DKA. The client's ABG results are pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 34 mm Hg and HCO₃ 21 mEq/L. The nurse should identify that these values indicate which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45) and a low PaCO₂ (less than 35 mm Hg).
B. Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic alkalosisis an acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45) and a high bicarbonate level (greater than 26 mEq/L).
C. Metabolic acidosis
A nurse reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has DKA should identify that the client's ABG results of pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 34 mm Hg and HCO₃ 21 mEq/L indicate metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35) and a low bicarbonate level (less than 22 mEq/L).
D. Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35) and a high PaCO₂ (greater than 45 mm Hg).
Full Explanation
A nurse reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has DKA should identify that the client's ABG results of pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 34 mm Hg and HCO₃ 21 mEq/L indicate metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35) and a low bicarbonate level (less than 22 mEq/L).
The other options are not correct.
a) Respiratory alkalosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45) and a low PaCO₂ (less than 35 mm Hg).
b) Metabolic alkalosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45) and a high bicarbonate level (greater than 26 mEq/L).
d) Respiratory acidosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35) and a high PaCO₂ (greater than 45 mm Hg).
A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should recognize that the client needs a referral for diabetic education when the client does which of the following?
A. Draws up regular insulin before NPH when demonstrating injection technique
Drawing up regular insulin before NPH when demonstrating injection technique is the correct procedure.
B. Says that he will see a primary care provider to treat corns on his feet
Seeing a primary care provider to treat corns on the feet is an appropriate action for a client with diabetes.
C. States that he will treat hypoglycemic reactions with 15 g of carbohydrates
Treating hypoglycemic reactions with 15 g of carbohydrates is the recommended treatment.
D. Lists sweating, shaking, and palpitations as symptoms of hyperglycemia
The nurse should recognize that the client needs a referral for diabetic education when the client lists sweating, shaking, and palpitations as symptoms of hyperglycemia. These symptoms are actually associated with hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is characterized by symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue.
Full Explanation
The nurse should recognize that the client needs a referral for diabetic education when the client lists sweating, shaking, and palpitations as symptoms of hyperglycemia. These symptoms are actually associated with hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is characterized by symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue.
Option a is incorrect because drawing up regular insulin before NPH when demonstrating injection technique is the correct procedure.
Option b is incorrect because seeing a primary care provider to treat corns on the feet is an appropriate action for a client with diabetes.
Option c is incorrect because treating hypoglycemic reactions with 15 g of carbohydrates is the recommended treatment.