Practice Questions - Bank Flashcards
1
Q
- A geriatric nurse is teaching the client’s family about the possible cause of delirium. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
- “Taking multiple medications may lead to adverse interactions or toxicity.”
- “Age-related cognitive changes may lead to alterations in mental status.”
- “Lack of rigorous exercise may lead to decreased cerebral blood flow.”
- “Decreased social interaction may lead to profound isolation and psychosis.”
A
1
2
Q
- A husband has agreed to admit his spouse, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), to a long-term care facility. He is expressing feelings of guilt and symptoms of depression. Which appropriate nursing diagnosis and subsequent intervention would the nurse document?
- Dysfunctional grieving; AD support group
- Altered thought process; AD support group
- Major depressive episode; psychiatric referral
- Caregiver role strain; psychiatric referral
A
1
3
Q
- A client diagnosed with vascular neurocognitive disorder (NCD) is discharged to home under the care of his wife. Which information should cause the nurse to question the client’s safety?
- His wife works from home in telecommunication.
- The client has worked the nightshift his entire career.
- His wife has minimal family support.
- The client smokes one pack of cigarettes per day.
A
4
4
Q
- A client diagnosed with AD can no longer ambulate, does not recognize family members, and communicates with agitated behaviors and incoherent verbalizations. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as indicative of which stage of the illness?
- Stage 4: Mild-to-Moderate Cognitive Decline
- Stage 5. Moderate Cognitive Decline
- Stage 6. Moderate-to-Severe Cognitive Decline
- Stage 7. Severe Cognitive Decline
A
4
5
Q
- A client is diagnosed in stage seven of AD. To address the client’s symptoms, which nursing intervention should take priority?
- Improve cognitive status by encouraging involvement in social activities.
- Decrease social isolation by providing group therapies.
- Promote dignity by providing comfort, safety, and self-care measures.
- Facilitate communication by providing assistive devices.
A
3
6
Q
- Which is the reason for the proliferation of the diagnosis of NCDs?
- Increased numbers of neurotransmitters has been implicated in the proliferation of NCD.
- Similar symptoms of NCD and depression lead to misdiagnoses, increasing numbers of NCD.
- Societal stress contributes to the increase in this diagnosis.
- More people now survive into the high-risk period for neurocognitive disorders.
A
4
7
Q
- A client diagnosed recently with AD is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). The client’s spouse inquires, “How does this work? Will this cure him?” Which is the appropriate nursing response?
- “This medication delays the destruction of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. Although most effective in the early stages, it serves to delay, but not stop, the progression of the disease.”
- “This medication encourages production of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. It delays the progression of the disease.”
- “This medication delays the destruction of dopamine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. Although most effective in the early stages, it serves to delay, but not stop, the progression of the disease.”
- “This medication encourages production of dopamine, a chemical in the brain necessary for memory processes. It delays the progression of the disease.”
A
1
8
Q
- Which symptom should a nurse identify that differentiates clients diagnosed with NCDs from clients diagnosed with mood disorders?
- Altered sleep
- Altered concentration
- Impaired memory
- Impaired psychomotor activity
A
3
9
Q
- A client diagnosed with AD exhibits progressive memory loss, diminished cognitive functioning, and verbal aggression upon experiencing frustration. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
- Organize a group activity to present reality.
- Minimize environmental lighting.
- Schedule structured daily routines.
- Explain the consequences for aggressive behaviors.
A
3
10
Q
- After one week of continuous mental confusion, an older African American client is admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of AD. What should cause the nurse to question this diagnosis?
- AD does not typically occur in African American clients.
- The symptoms presented are more indicative of Parkinsonism.
- AD does not develop suddenly.
- There has been no T3- or T4-level evaluation ordered.
A
3
11
Q
- A client diagnosed with AD has impairments of memory and judgment and is incapable of performing activities of daily living. Which nursing intervention should take priority?
- Present evidence of objective reality to improve cognition.
- Design a bulletin board to represent the current season.
- Label the client’s room with name and number.
- Assist with bathing and toileting.
A
4
12
Q
- A client diagnosed with major NCD is exhibiting behavioral problems on a daily basis. At change of shift, the client’s behavior escalates from pacing to screaming and flailing. Which action should be a nursing priority?
- Consult the psychologist regarding behavior-modification techniques.
- Medicate the client with prn antianxiety medications.
- Assess environmental triggers and potential unmet needs.
- Anticipate the behavior and restrain when pacing begins.
A
2 - Medicate the client to avoid injury to self or others.
13
Q
- A client with a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is brought to an emergency department experiencing memory problems, confusion, and disorientation. Based on this client’s assessment data, which diagnosis would the nurse expect the physician to assign?
- Delirium due to adverse effects of cardiac medications
- Vascular neurocognitive disorder
- Altered thought processes
- Alzheimer’s disease
A
2
14
Q
- An older client has recently moved to a nursing home. The client has trouble concentrating and socially isolates. A physician believes the client would benefit from medication therapy. Which medication should the nurse expect the physician to prescribe?
- Haloperidol (Haldol)
- Donepezil (Aricept)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
A
4
15
Q
- A client diagnosed with NCD is disoriented and ataxic and wanders. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis?
- Disturbed thought processes
- Self-care deficit
- Risk for injury
- Altered health-care maintenance
A
3
16
Q
- Which statement accurately differentiates mild NCD from major NCD?
- Major NCD involves disorientation that develops suddenly, whereas mild NCD develops more slowly.
- Major NCD involves impairment of abstract thinking and judgment, whereas mild NCD does not.
- Major NCD criteria requires substantial cognitive decline from a previous level of performance, and mild NCD requires modest decline.
- Major NCD criteria requires decline from a previous level of performance in three of the listed domains, and mild NCD requires only one.
A
3
17
Q
- Which statement accurately differentiates NCD from pseudodementia (depression)?
- NCD has a rapid onset, whereas pseudodementia does not.
- NCD symptoms include disorientation to time and place, and pseudodementia does not.
- NCD symptoms improve as the day progresses, but symptoms of pseudodementia worsen.
- NCD causes decreased appetite, whereas pseudodementia does not.
A
2 - In pseudodementia, symptoms improve as the day progresses, are oriented to time and place, and has rapid onset of symptoms
18
Q
- Which of the following conditions have been known to precipitate delirium in some individuals? (Select all that apply.)
- Febrile illness
- Seizures
- Migraine headaches
- Herniated brain stem
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome
A
1, 2, 3
19
Q
- Which of the following medications that have been known to precipitate delirium? (Select all that apply.)
- Antineoplastic agents
- H2-receptor antagonists
- Antihypertensives
- Corticosteroids
- Lipid-lowering agents
A
1, 2, 3, 4
20
Q
- A paranoid client presents with bizarre behaviors, neologisms, and thought insertion. Which nursing action should be prioritized to maintain this client’s safety?
- Assess for medication nonadherance.
- Note escalating behaviors and intervene immediately.
- Interpret attempts at communication.
- Assess triggers for bizarre, inappropriate behaviors.
A
2 - Early intervention may prevent an aggressive response and keep the client and others safe
21
Q
- A client diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder is admitted for social skills training. Which information should be included in the nurse’s teaching?
- The side effects of medications
- Deep breathing techniques to decrease stress
- How to make eye contact when communicating
- How to be a leader
A
3
22
Q
- A 16-year-old client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder experiences command hallucinations to harm others. The client’s parents ask a nurse, “Where do the voices come from?” Which is the appropriate nursing response?
- “Your child has a chemical imbalance of the brain, which leads to altered perceptions.”
- “Your child’s hallucinations are caused by medication interactions.”
- “Your child has too little serotonin in the brain, causing delusions and hallucinations.”
- “Your child’s abnormal hormonal changes have precipitated auditory hallucinations.”
A
1
23
Q
- Parents ask a nurse how they should reply when their child, diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, tells them that voices command him to harm others. Which is the appropriate nursing response?
- “Tell him to stop discussing the voices.”
- “Ignore what he is saying, while attempting to discover the underlying cause.”
- “Focus on the feelings generated by the hallucinations and present reality.”
- “Present objective evidence that the voices are not real.”
A
3
24
Q
- A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The nurse asks the client, “Do you receive special messages from certain sources, such as the television or radio?” The nurse is assessing which potential symptom of this disorder?
- Thought insertion
- Paranoid delusions
- Magical thinking
- Delusions of reference
A
4 - A client that believes he/she receives messages through the radio is experiencing delusions of reference. These delusions involve the client interpreting events within the environment as being directed toward him-or herself
25
Q
- A client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder states, “Can’t you hear him? It’s the devil. He’s telling me I’m going to hell.” Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
- “Did you take your medicine this morning?”
- “You are not going to hell. You are a good person.”
- “The voices must sound scary, but the devil is not talking to you. This is part of your illness.”
- “The devil only talks to people who are receptive to his influence.”
A
3 - reassure the client while not reinforcing the hallucination
26
Q
- A client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder tells a nurse about voices commanding him to kill the president. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
- Disturbed sensory perception
- Altered thought processes
- Risk for violence: directed toward others
- Risk for injury
A
3
27
Q
- Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate when caring for an acutely agitated paranoid client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder?
- Provide neon lights and soft music.
- Maintain continual eye contact throughout the interview.
- Use therapeutic touch to increase trust and rapport.
- Provide personal space to respect the client’s boundaries.
A
4
28
Q
- Which nursing behavior will enhance the establishment of a trusting relationship with a client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder?
- Establishing personal contact with family members
- Being reliable, honest, and consistent during interactions
- Sharing limited personal information
- Sitting close to the client to establish rapport
A
2
29
Q
- A paranoid client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder states, “My psychiatrist is out to get me. I’m sad that the voice is telling me to stop him.” What symptom is the client exhibiting, and what is the nurse’s legal responsibility related to this symptom?
- Magical thinking; administer an antipsychotic medication.
- Persecutory delusions; orient the client to reality.
- Command hallucinations; warn the psychiatrist.
- Altered thought processes; call an emergency treatment team meeting.
A
3
30
Q
- A client is diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. A physician orders haloperidol (Haldol) 50 mg bid, benztropine (Cogentin) 1 mg prn, and zolpidem (Ambien) 10 mg HS. Which client behavior would warrant the nurse to administer benztropine?
- Tactile hallucinations
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Restlessness and muscle rigidity
- Reports of hearing disturbing voices
A
3
31
Q
- A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a flat affect, paranoid delusions, anhedonia, anergia, neologisms, and echolalia. Which statement correctly differentiates the client’s positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Paranoid delusions, anhedonia, and anergia are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Paranoid delusions, neologisms, and echolalia are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Paranoid delusions, anergia, and echolalia are negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Paranoid delusions, flat affect, and anhedonia are negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
A
2
32
Q
- A 60-year-old client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder presents in an ED with uncontrollable tongue movements, stiff neck, and difficulty swallowing. Which medical diagnosis and treatment should a nurse anticipate when planning care for this client?
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
- Agranulocytosis treated by administration of clozapine (Clozaril)
- Extrapyramidal symptoms treated by administration of benztropine (Cogentin)
- Tardive dyskinesia treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
A
4
33
Q
- After taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for 1 month, a client presents to an ED with severe muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and a temperature of 105F (40.5°C). Which medical diagnosis and treatment should a nurse anticipate when planning care for this client?
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing Thorazine and administering dantrolene (Dantrium)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by increasing Thorazine dosage and administering an antianxiety medication
- Dystonia treated by administering trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
- Dystonia treated by administering bromocriptine (Parlodel)
A
1
34
Q
- A client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder takes an antipsychotic agent daily. Which assessment finding should a nurse prioritize?
- Respirations of 22 beats/minute
- Weight gain of 8 pounds in 2 months
- Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
- Excessive salivation
A
3
35
Q
- An aging client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder takes an antipsychotic and a beta-adrenergic blocking agent for hypertension. Understanding the combined side effects of these drugs, which statement by a nurse is most appropriate?
- “Make sure you concentrate on taking slow, deep, cleansing breaths.”
- “Watch your diet and try to engage in some regular physical activity.”
- “Rise slowly when you change position from lying to sitting or sitting to standing.”
- “Wear sunscreen and try to avoid midday sun exposure.”
A
3
36
Q
- A client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder is prescribed clozapine (Clozaril). Which client symptoms, related to the side effects of this medication, should prompt a nurse to intervene immediately?
- Sore throat, fever, and malaise
- Akathisia and hypersalivation
- Akinesia and insomnia
- Dry mouth and urinary retention
A
1