Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
How does a psychiatric nurse best implement the ethical principle of autonomy?
A. By intervening when a self-mutilating patient attempts to harm self.
Intervening during self-harm is more related to beneficence (preventing harm) rather than autonomy (respecting the patient's right to make decisions).
B. Exploring alternative options with a patient, regarding medications.
Autonomy involves respecting a patient's right to make decisions about their care, including discussing alternatives for treatment.
C. Staying with a patient who is demonstrating a high level of anxiety.
Staying with an anxious patient is supportive but doesn't specifically address the principle of autonomy.
D. Suggesting that two patients who are fighting be restricted to the unit.
Restricting patients who are fighting is more related to safety and order within the unit, not necessarily autonomy.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati RN Psychtriac Nursing Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Intervening during self-harm is more related to beneficence (preventing harm) rather than autonomy (respecting the patient's right to make decisions).
B. Autonomy involves respecting a patient's right to make decisions about their care, including discussing alternatives for treatment.
C. Staying with an anxious patient is supportive but doesn't specifically address the principle of autonomy.
D. Restricting patients who are fighting is more related to safety and order within the unit, not necessarily autonomy.
Similar Questions
The decision to intervene as a patient advocate is clearly identified by the American Nurses Association's (ANA) code of ethics in which situation?
A. A suspicion that a staff member is unfit to provide client care
This situation reflects the responsibility of a nurse to advocate for patients' safety by intervening if they suspect a staff member is unfit to provide proper care.
B. Working with a client to identify triggers for aggressive behavior
Working with a client to identify triggers for aggressive behavior is more related to the therapeutic process than the specific role of patient advocacy.
C. A client's need for assistance while ambulating post-surgery
A client's need for assistance while ambulating post-surgery is part of standard nursing care but does not directly involve patient advocacy.
D. Providing emotional support to a client experiencing a loss of a parent
Providing emotional support to a client experiencing a loss is part of nursing care but does not specifically address the nurse's role as a patient advocate.
Full Explanation
A. This situation reflects the responsibility of a nurse to advocate for patients' safety by intervening if they suspect a staff member is unfit to provide proper care.
B. Working with a client to identify triggers for aggressive behavior is more related to the therapeutic process than the specific role of patient advocacy.
C. A client's need for assistance while ambulating post-surgery is part of standard nursing care but does not directly involve patient advocacy.
D. Providing emotional support to a client experiencing a loss is part of nursing care but does not specifically address the nurse's role as a patient advocate.
A nurse is planning a unit orientation for a newly admitted client who has severe depression. Which of the following should be the nurse's approach?
A. Sit with the client and offer simple, direct information.
For a client with severe depression, a calm and direct approach is beneficial. Sitting with the client and offering simple, clear information can help establish trust and rapport.
B. Have the client attend group therapy immediately.
Attending group therapy immediately might overwhelm the client, especially if they are newly admitted and experiencing severe depression.
C. Take the client on a tour of the unit and introduce him to all the staff members on duty.
Taking the client on a tour and introducing all staff members might be overwhelming or excessive for someone with severe depression.
D. Explain the unit policies to the client and answer any questions he might have.
While explaining unit policies is important, a direct informational approach might be more effective initially given the severity of the client's condition.
Full Explanation
A. For a client with severe depression, a calm and direct approach is beneficial. Sitting with the client and offering simple, clear information can help establish trust and rapport.
B. Attending group therapy immediately might overwhelm the client, especially if they are newly admitted and experiencing severe depression.
C. Taking the client on a tour and introducing all staff members might be overwhelming or excessive for someone with severe depression.
D. While explaining unit policies is important, a direct informational approach might be more effective initially given the severity of the client's condition.
A nurse answers a suicide crisis line. A caller says, "I live alone in a home several miles from my nearest neighbors. I have been considering suicide for 2 months. I have had several drinks and now my gun is loaded. I'm going to shoot myself in the heart." How would the nurse assess the lethality of this plan?
A. Moderate level
Moderate level would suggest a plan that has some risk but may be less imminent or less likely to result in death.
B. High level
A plan involving a loaded gun aimed at a vital organ like the heart, coupled with alcohol consumption and intent, indicates a high level of lethality.
C. No risk
This scenario presents a significant risk given the method and the caller's intent, so "No risk" would not be appropriate.
D. Low level
Low level would suggest a plan that is less likely to cause severe harm or death, which is not the case here.
Full Explanation
A. Moderate level would suggest a plan that has some risk but may be less imminent or less likely to result in death.
B. A plan involving a loaded gun aimed at a vital organ like the heart, coupled with alcohol consumption and intent, indicates a high level of lethality.
C. This scenario presents a significant risk given the method and the caller's intent, so "No risk" would not be appropriate.
D. Low level would suggest a plan that is less likely to cause severe harm or death, which is not the case here.