Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
During client teaching, the nurse must inform the client prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) to not expect to see a difference in mood or anxiety level for up to:
A. 2-4 weeks
TCAs do not have an immediate mechanism of action and may take approximately 2-4 weeks to have an effect on the neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation hence the brain may take some time to adjust to these changes.
B. 1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks is too short, and may lead clients to feel discouraged or frustrated if they do not see any results by then hence informing them of the duration it will take before they can realize a change in their mood or anxiety is crucial.
C. 3-4 days
3-4 days is too short, and may lead clients to feel discouraged or frustrated if they do not see any results.
D. 1-2 days
1-2 days is too short and unrealistic and gives the client false expectations and may make them think that the drugs are ineffective in their mood and anxiety control.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI ns 130 Exam Psychosocial Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: TCAs do not have an immediate mechanism of action and may take approximately 2-4 weeks to have an effect on the neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation hence the brain may take some time to adjust to these changes.
Choice B rationale: 1-2 weeks is too short, and may lead clients to feel discouraged or frustrated if they do not see any results by then hence informing them of the duration it will take before they can realize a change in their mood or anxiety is crucial.
Choice C rationale: 3-4 days is too short, and may lead clients to feel discouraged or frustrated if they do not see any results.
Choice D rationale: 1-2 days is too short and unrealistic gives the client false expectations and may make them think that the drugs are ineffective in their mood and anxiety control.
Similar Questions
In preparing discharge planning for a client who has been prescribed lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder, the nurse must be sure that the client demonstrates an understanding of the need to monitor his or her diet for intake of:
A. Fats
fats are directly related to lithium therapy and does not require any special monitoring during the drug’s intake.
B. Protein
proteins do not affect the blood levels of lithium hence they do not require any special monitoring during the drug’s intake.
C. Sodium
Lithium is a salt that can affect the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body and competes with sodium for their reabsorption in the kidneys. Therefore, if the client consumes too much or too little sodium, it can alter the level of lithium in the blood and cause toxicity or ineffectiveness hence the need for close monitoring.
D. Potassium
potassium does not affect the blood levels of lithium hence no special monitoring during intake is required.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: fats are directly related to lithium therapy and does not require any special monitoring during the drug’s intake.
Choice B rationale: proteins do not affect the blood levels of lithium hence they do not require any special monitoring during the drug’s intake.
Choice C rationale: Lithium is a salt that can affect the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body and competes with sodium for their reabsorption in the kidneys.
Therefore, if the client consumes too much or too little sodium, it can alter the level of lithium in the blood and cause toxicity or ineffectiveness hence the need for close monitoring.
Choice D rationale: potassium does not affect the blood levels of lithium hence no special monitoring during intake is required.
Which laboratory value must be monitored frequently for the client who is on Lithium therapy?
A. Red blood cells
lithium does not affect the levels of red blood cells hence no monitoring is required during its intake.
B. Kidney function
lithium is excreted in the kidneys hence close kidney function monitoring is essential since it prevents lithium toxicity.
C. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
lithium does not affect the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels hence no frequent monitoring is required during its intake.
D. White Blood Cells
lithium does not affect the levels of white blood cells hence no monitoring is required during its intake.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: lithium does not affect the levels of red blood cells hence no monitoring is required during its intake.
Choice B rationale: lithium is excreted in the kidneys hence close kidney function monitoring is essential since it prevents lithium toxicity.
Choice C rationale: lithium does not affect the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels hence no frequent monitoring is required during its intake.
Choice D rationale: lithium does not affect the levels of white blood cells hence no monitoring is required during its intake.
Barriers to therapeutic communication include probing, giving advice and
A. Providing false reassurance
providing false reassurances invalidates the client’s feelings and concerns thus making them feel that the nurse is not trustworthy or empathetic. This may hinder the development of a therapeutic relationship.
B. Use of open-ended questions
the use of open-ended questions is appropriate since it allows the client to freely express their thoughts and feelings without being limited by the yes or no answers.
C. Active listening
active listening involves paying attention to the client’s verbal and non-verbal cues and clarifying any possible misunderstandings.
D. Silence
silence is crucial since it enables the client to reflect on their thoughts and to process their emotions. Furthermore, it is a form of respect for the client’s feelings.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: providing false reassurances invalidates the client’s feelings and concerns thus making them feel that the nurse is not trustworthy or empathetic. This may hinder the development of a therapeutic relationship.
Choice B rationale: the use of open-ended questions is appropriate since it allows the client to freely express their thoughts and feelings without being limited by the yes or no answers.
Choice C rationale: active listening involves paying attention to the client’s verbal and non-verbal cues and clarifying any possible misunderstandings.
Choice D rationale: silence is crucial since it enables the client to reflect on their thoughts and to process their emotions. Furthermore, it is a form of respect for the client’s feelings.