Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client who reports a recent suicide attempt. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "You should have asked for help."
This response could come across as blaming or judgmental. It implies that the client made a mistake by not seeking help, which can exacerbate feelings of guilt or shame. It does not promote an open dialogue or supportive environment.
B. "Let's talk about how you were feeling."
This response demonstrates empathy and a willingness to understand the client's emotional state leading up to the suicide attempt. It encourages open communication about the client's feelings and experiences, which is crucial for assessment and intervention planning.
C. "I think you are experiencing guilt."
This response suggests that the nurse is making assumptions about the client's emotions without allowing the client to express themselves fully. While guilt may be a common emotion after a suicide attempt, it's important for the nurse to first listen to the client's own description of their feelings.
D. "Everyone gets discouraged sometimes."
This response minimizes the seriousness of the client's experience and emotions. It may invalidate the client's feelings of distress or despair that led to the suicide attempt. Such a response does not acknowledge the gravity of the situation or provide the necessary support.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI LPN Mental Health 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. This response could come across as blaming or judgmental. It implies that the client made a mistake by not seeking help, which can exacerbate feelings of guilt or shame. It does not promote an open dialogue or supportive environment.
B. This response demonstrates empathy and a willingness to understand the client's emotional state leading up to the suicide attempt. It encourages open communication about the client's feelings and experiences, which is crucial for assessment and intervention planning.
C. This response suggests that the nurse is making assumptions about the client's emotions without allowing the client to express themselves fully. While guilt may be a common emotion after a suicide attempt, it's important for the nurse to first listen to the client's own description of their feelings.
D. This response minimizes the seriousness of the client's experience and emotions. It may invalidate the client's feelings of distress or despair that led to the suicide attempt. Such a response does not acknowledge the gravity of the situation or provide the necessary support.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has bipolar disorder and has a new prescription for lithium. To address possible adverse effects, the nurse should include that which of the following laboratory values will be monitored while the client is taking this medication?
A. Liver enzymes
Monitoring liver enzymes (AST, ALT) is typically not directly related to lithium therapy. Elevated liver enzymes may indicate liver damage from various causes, such as hepatitis or medication toxicity, but it is not a routine monitoring parameter for lithium.
B. Uric acid
Lithium can decrease the excretion of uric acid, potentially leading to elevated levels. Monitoring uric acid levels helps to detect hyperuricemia, which may contribute to conditions like gout. It's important to monitor this parameter periodically during lithium therapy.
C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not specifically monitored in relation to lithium therapy. It is used to diagnose or monitor conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain cancers, but it does not directly relate to lithium use.
D. Sodium level
Monitoring serum sodium levels is crucial during lithium therapy because lithium can affect renal function and electrolyte balance, including sodium levels. Hyponatremia is a potential adverse effect of lithium, and regular monitoring helps detect and manage this condition promptly.
Full Explanation
A. Monitoring liver enzymes (AST, ALT) is typically not directly related to lithium therapy. Elevated liver enzymes may indicate liver damage from various causes, such as hepatitis or medication toxicity, but it is not a routine monitoring parameter for lithium.
B. Lithium can decrease the excretion of uric acid, potentially leading to elevated levels. Monitoring uric acid levels helps to detect hyperuricemia, which may contribute to conditions like gout. It's important to monitor this parameter periodically during lithium therapy.
C. ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not specifically monitored in relation to lithium therapy. It is used to diagnose or monitor conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain cancers, but it does not directly relate to lithium use.
D. Monitoring serum sodium levels is crucial during lithium therapy because lithium can affect renal function and electrolyte balance, including sodium levels. Hyponatremia is a potential adverse effect of lithium, and regular monitoring helps detect and manage this condition promptly.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who reports drinking alcoholic beverages daily but has not consumed alcohol in the last 24 hr. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of alcohol withdrawal?
A. Bradycardia
Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with alcohol withdrawal. Instead, tachycardia (rapid heart rate) is more commonly observed due to the stimulant effects of alcohol withdrawal on the autonomic nervous system.
B. Drowsiness
Drowsiness is not a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Instead, individuals may experience insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns as part of withdrawal symptoms.
C. Double vision
Double vision (diplopia) is not a typical finding in alcohol withdrawal.
D. Hypertension
When a person stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake after long-term use, the body can react with symptoms like increased blood pressure.
Full Explanation
A. Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with alcohol withdrawal. Instead, tachycardia (rapid heart rate) is more commonly observed due to the stimulant effects of alcohol withdrawal on the autonomic nervous system.
B. Drowsiness is not a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Instead, individuals may experience insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns as part of withdrawal symptoms.
C. Double vision (diplopia) is not a typical finding in alcohol withdrawal.
D. When a person stops or significantly decreases their alcohol intake after long-term use, the body can react with symptoms like increased blood pressure.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking lithium. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as early manifestations of lithium toxicity? (Select all that apply.)
A. Incoordination
Incoordination, such as clumsiness or difficulty walking, can be an early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the neurological effects of elevated lithium levels on motor coordination.
B. Polyuria
Polyuria (excessive urination) is a common late symptom of lithium toxicity. Lithium interferes with the kidney's ability to concentrate urine, leading to increased urine output.
C. Nausea
Nausea is a gastrointestinal symptom that can occur in the early stages of lithium toxicity. It is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea.
D. Convulsions
Convulsions (seizures) are not typically considered early manifestations of lithium toxicity but rather indicate severe toxicity. Seizures can occur at higher levels of lithium toxicity and require immediate medical intervention.
E. Confusion
Confusion is another early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the impact of elevated lithium levels on the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment and altered mental status.
Full Explanation
A. Incoordination, such as clumsiness or difficulty walking, can be an early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the neurological effects of elevated lithium levels on motor coordination.
B. Polyuria (excessive urination) is a common late symptom of lithium toxicity. Lithium interferes with the kidney's ability to concentrate urine, leading to increased urine output.
C. Nausea is a gastrointestinal symptom that can occur in the early stages of lithium toxicity. It is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea.
D. Convulsions (seizures) are not typically considered early manifestations of lithium toxicity but rather indicate severe toxicity. Seizures can occur at higher levels of lithium toxicity and require immediate medical intervention.
E. Confusion is another early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the impact of elevated lithium levels on the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment and altered mental status.