Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is providing teaching about home care to the parents of a child who has autism spectrum disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain a flexible daily schedule for the child
Maintaining a flexible daily schedule for the child may increase their anxiety and confusion, as they may have difficulty adapting to changes in routine and expectations. The nurse should advise the parents to establish a consistent and structured schedule for the child, with clear rules and boundaries.
B. Use a reward system to modify the child's behavior
Using a reward system to modify the child's behavior is an effective strategy to reinforce positive behaviors and reduce negative ones. The nurse should help the parents identify specific and measurable goals for the child, and provide them with praise, tokens, or privileges when they achieve them.
C. Provide a variety of family members to care for the child
Providing a variety of family members to care for the child may overwhelm them and impair their social skills development, as they may have difficulty forming attachments and communicating with different people. The nurse should encourage the parents to select one or two primary caregivers for the child, who can provide them with consistent and supportive interactions.
D. Administer alprazolam as needed to reduce the child's anxiety
Administering alprazolam as needed to reduce the child's anxiety is not recommended, as it may cause adverse effects such as sedation, dependence, or withdrawal symptoms. The nurse should educate the parents about nonpharmacological interventions for anxiety, such as relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, or social skills training.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Comprehensive Online Practice 2019 B with NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Use a reward system to modify the child's behavior.
Rationale:
- A. Incorrect. Maintaining a flexible daily schedule for the child may increase their anxiety and confusion, as they may have difficulty adapting to changes in routine and expectations. The nurse should advise the parents to establish a consistent and structured schedule for the child, with clear rules and boundaries.
- B. Correct. Using a reward system to modify the child's behavior is an effective strategy to reinforce positive behaviors and reduce negative ones. The nurse should help the parents identify specific and measurable goals for the child, and provide them with praise, tokens, or privileges when they achieve them.
- C. Incorrect. Providing a variety of family members to care for the child may overwhelm them and impair their social skills development, as they may have difficulty forming attachments and communicating with different people. The nurse should encourage the parents to select one or two primary caregivers for the child, who can provide them with consistent and supportive interactions.
- D. Incorrect. Administering alprazolam as needed to reduce the child's anxiety is not recommended, as it may cause adverse effects such as sedation, dependence, or withdrawal symptoms. The nurse should educate the parents about nonpharmacological interventions for anxiety, such as relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, or social skills training.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Turn off the CPM machine during mealtime.
The nurse should turn off the CPM machine during mealtime to allow the client to eat comfortably and prevent aspiration.
B. Maintain the client's affected hip in an externally rotated position.
The nurse should maintain the client's affected hip in a neutral position to prevent dislocation of the prosthesis and promote healing.
C. Instruct the client how to adjust the CPM settings for comfort.
The nurse should not instruct the client how to adjust the CPM settings for comfort, as this could interfere with the prescribed range of motion and speed of the device. The nurse should notify the provider if the client reports discomfort or pain.
D. Store the CPM machine under the client's bed when not in use.
The nurse should not store the CPM machine under the client's bed when not in use, as this could pose a safety hazard and damage the device. The nurse should place the CPM machine on a stable surface away from the bed.
Full Explanation
- A. Correct. The nurse should turn off the CPM machine during mealtime to allow the client to eat comfortably and prevent aspiration.
- B. Incorrect. The nurse should maintain the client's affected hip in a neutral position to prevent dislocation of the prosthesis and promote healing.
- C. Incorrect. The nurse should not instruct the client how to adjust the CPM settings for comfort, as this could interfere with the prescribed range of motion and speed of the device. The nurse should notify the provider if the client reports discomfort or pain.
- D. Incorrect. The nurse should not store the CPM machine under the client's bed when not in use, as this could pose a safety hazard and damage the device. The nurse should place the CPM machine on a stable surface away from the bed.
A nurse in a mental health clinic is assessing a client who has a history of seeking counseling for relationship problems. The client shows the nurse multiple superficial selfinflicted lacerations on their forearms.
The nurse should identify these behaviors as characteristics of which of the following personality disorders?
A. Borderline
Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, as well as marked impulsivity and recurrent suicidal behavior. The client's history of seeking counseling for relationship problems and selfinflicted lacerations are consistent with this disorder. Therefore, this choice is correct.
B. Antisocial
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for and violation of the rights of others, as well as a lack of remorse for one's actions. The client's behavior does not indicate this disorder. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
C. Paranoid
Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others, as well as a tendency to interpret others' motives as malevolent. The client's behavior does not indicate this disorder. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
D. Histrionic
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and attentionseeking behavior, as well as a tendency to dramatize situations and exaggerate emotions. The client's behavior does not indicate this disorder. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Full Explanation
Borderline.
- A. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, as well as marked impulsivity and recurrent suicidal behavior. The client's history of seeking counseling for relationship problems and selfinflicted lacerations are consistent with this disorder. Therefore, this choice is correct.
- B. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for and violation of the rights of others, as well as a lack of remorse for one's actions. The client's behavior does not indicate this disorder. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
- C. Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others, as well as a tendency to interpret others' motives as malevolent. The client's behavior does not indicate this disorder. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
- D. Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by excessive emotionality and attentionseeking behavior, as well as a tendency to dramatize situations and exaggerate emotions. The client's behavior does not indicate this disorder. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke 6 hr ago. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to reduce the risk of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Limit suctioning the client's airway to 30 seconds at a time
Limiting suctioning the client's airway to 30 seconds at a time can reduce intracranial pressure by minimizing hypoxia and hypercarbia, which can cause cerebral vasodilation and increased cerebral blood volume. However, this intervention alone is not sufficient to prevent increased intracranial pressure, and suctioning should be done only when necessary and with caution. Therefore, this choice is partially correct but not the best answer.
B. Group several nursing activities to be completed at one time
Grouping several nursing activities to be completed at one time can increase intracranial pressure by stimulating the client and causing fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate.
C. Flex the client's neck forward
Flexing the client's neck forward can increase intracranial pressure by impeding venous drainage from the brain and increasing cerebral blood volume. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
D. Place the client in a quiet environment
Placing the client in a quiet environment can reduce intracranial pressure by minimizing sensory stimulation and promoting relaxation, which can lower blood pressure and heart rate and decrease cerebral metabolic demand. Therefore, this choice is correct and the best answer.
Full Explanation
Place the client in a quiet environment.
- A. Limiting suctioning the client's airway to 30 seconds at a time can reduce intracranial pressure by minimizing hypoxia and hypercarbia, which can cause cerebral vasodilation and increased cerebral blood volume. However, this intervention alone is not sufficient to prevent increased intracranial pressure, and suctioning should be done only when necessary and with caution. Therefore, this choice is partially correct but not the best answer.
- B. Grouping several nursing activities to be completed at one time can increase intracranial pressure by stimulating the client and causing fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
- C. Flexing the client's neck forward can increase intracranial pressure by impeding venous drainage from the brain and increasing cerebral blood volume. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
- D. Placing the client in a quiet environment can reduce intracranial pressure by minimizing sensory stimulation and promoting relaxation, which can lower blood pressure and heart rate and decrease cerebral metabolic demand. Therefore, this choice is correct and the best answer.