Midterm I Flashcards
Which client statement reflects an understanding of circadian rhythms in psychopathology?
- “When I dream about my mother’s horrible train accident, I become hysterical.”
- “I get really irritable during my menstrual cycle.”
- “I’m a morning person. I get my best work done before noon.”
- “Every February, I tend to experience periods of sadness.”
3
Which types of adoption studies should a nurse recognize as providing useful information for the psychiatric community?
- Studies in which children with mentally ill biological parents are raised by adoptive parents who were mentally healthy.
- Studies in which children with mentally healthy biological parents are raised by adoptive parents who were mentally ill.
- Studies in which monozygotic twins from mentally ill parents were raised separately by different adoptive parents.
- Studies in which monozygotic twins were raised together by mentally ill biological parents.
- All of the above.
5
A withdrawn client, diagnosed with schizophrenia, expresses little emotion and refuses to attend group therapy. What altered component of the nervous system should a nurse recognize as being responsible for this behavior?
- Dendrites
- Axons
- Neurotransmitters
- Synapses
3
Six months after her husband and children were killed in a car accident, a client is diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The nurse should recognize that this situation validates which study perspective?
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychoimmunology
- Diagnostic technology
- Neurophysiology
2
An instructor is teaching nursing students about neurotransmitters. Which best explains the process of how neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft may return to the presynaptic neuron?
- Regeneration
- Reuptake
- Recycling
- Retransmission
2
A client is admitted to an emergency department experiencing memory deficits and decreased motor function. What alteration in brain chemistry should a nurse correlate with the production of these symptoms?
- Abnormal levels of serotonin
- Decreased levels of dopamine
- Increased levels of norepinephrine
- Decreased levels of acetylcholine
4
A nurse concludes that a restless, agitated client is manifesting a fight- or-flight response. The nurse should associate this response with which neurotransmitter?
- Acetylcholine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
4
Which part of the nervous system should a nurse identify as playing a major role during stressful situations?
- Peripheral nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
3
A depressed client states, “I have a chemical imbalance in my brain. I have no control over my behavior. Medications are my only hope to feel normal again.” Which nursing response is appropriate?
- “Medications only address biological factors. Environmental and interpersonal factors must also be considered.”
- “Because biological factors are the sole cause of depression, medications will improve your mood.”
- “Environmental factors have been shown to exert the most influence in the development of depression.”
- “Researchers have been unable to demonstrate a link between nature (biology and genetics) and nurture (environment).”
1
A nurse understands that the abnormal secretion of growth hormone may play a role in which illness?
- Acute mania
- Schizophrenia
- Anorexia nervosa
- Alzheimer’s disease
3
A client is admitted to a psychiatric unit with the diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia. Which of the client’s neurotransmitters should a nurse expect to be elevated?
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
- Histamine
2
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder asks, “What part of my brain controls my emotions?” Which nursing response is appropriate?
- “The occipital lobe governs perceptions, judging them as positive or negative.”
- “The parietal lobe has been linked to depression.”
- “The medulla regulates key biological and psychological activities.”
- “The limbic system is largely responsible for one’s emotional state.”
4
A nurse should expect that an increase in dopamine activity might play a significant role in the development of which mental illness?
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
1
A client’s wife of 34 years dies unexpectedly. The client cries often and becomes socially isolated. The client’s therapist encourages open discussion of feelings, proper nutrition, and exercise. What is the best rationale for the therapist’s recommendations?
- The therapist is using an interpersonal approach.
- The client has an alteration in neurotransmitters.
- It is routine practice to remind clients about nutrition, exercise, and rest.
- The client is susceptible to illness because of effects of stress on the immune system.
4
Which mental illness should a nurse identify as being associated with a decrease in prolactin hormone level?
- Major depressive episode
- Schizophrenia
- Anorexia nervosa
- Alzheimer’s disease
2
Which cerebral structure should a nursing instructor describe to students as the “emotional brain”?
- The cerebellum
- The limbic system
- The cortex
- The left temporal lobe
2
A nurse should recognize that a decrease in norepinephrine levels would play a significant role in which mental illness?
- Bipolar disorder: mania
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Major depressive episode
4
What is the most essential task for a nurse to accomplish prior to forming a therapeutic relationship with a client?
- Clarify personal attitudes, values, and beliefs.
- Obtain thorough assessment data.
- Determine the client’s length of stay.
- Establish personal goals for the interaction.
1
If a client demonstrates transference toward a nurse, how should the nurse respond?
- Promote safety and immediately terminate the relationship with the client.
- Encourage the client to ignore these thoughts and feelings.
- Immediately reassign the client to another staff member.
- Help the client to clarify the meaning of the relationship, based on the present situation.
4
What should be the priority nursing action during the orientation (introductory) phase of the nurse-client relationship?
- Acknowledge the client’s actions and generate alternative behaviors.
- Establish rapport and develop treatment goals.
- Attempt to find alternative placement.
- Explore how thoughts and feelings about this client may adversely impact nursing care.
2
Which client action should a nurse expect during the working phase of the nurse-client relationship?
- The client gains insight and incorporates alternative behaviors.
- The client establishes rapport with the nurse and mutually develops treatment goals.
- The client explores feelings related to reentering the community.
- The client explores personal strengths and weaknesses that impact behavioral choices.
1
Which client statement should a nurse identify as a typical response to stress most often experienced in the working phase of the nurse-client relationship?
- “I can’t bear the thought of leaving here and failing.”
- “I might have a hard time working with you, because you remind me of my mother.”
- “I really don’t want to talk any more about my childhood abuse.”
- “I’m not sure that I can count on you to protect my confidentiality.”
3
A mother who is notified that her child was killed in a tragic car accident states, “I can’t bear to go on with my life.” Which nursing statement conveys empathy?
- “This situation is very sad, but time is a great healer.”
- “You are sad, but you must be strong for your other children.”
- “Once you cry it all out, things will seem so much better.”
- “It must be horrible to lose a child, and I’ll stay with you until your husband arrives.”
4
When an individual is “two-faced,” which characteristic essential to the development of a therapeutic relationship should a nurse identify as missing?
- Respect
- Genuineness
- Sympathy
- Rapport
2