An adolescent, age 18, is highly dependent on her parents and fears leaving home to go away to college. Shortly before the fall semester starts, she complains that her legs are paralyzed and is rushed to the emergency department. When physical examination rules out a physical cause for her paralysis, the physician admits her to the psychiatric unit where she is diagnosed with conversion disorder. The client asks the nurse, "Why has this happened to me?" What is the nurse's best response?
A. "You've developed this paralysis so you can stay with your parents. You must deal with this conflict if you want to walk again."
B. "It must be awful not to be able to move your legs. You may feel better if you realize the problem is psychological, not physical."
C. "Your problem is real but there is no physical basis for it. We'll work on what is going on in your life to find out why it's happened."
D. "It isn't uncommon for someone with your personality to develop a conversion disorder during times of stress."
Answer: C. "Your problem is real but there is no physical basis for it. We'll work on what is going on in your life to find out why it's happened."
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The patient has a total cholesterol of 190 with a high-density lipid (HDL) of 110 and a low-density lipid (LDL) of 80. The nurse's reaction is one of:
a. satisfaction. This is good cholesterol control. b. determination. This is evidence that more instruction is necessary. c. inquiry. This needs to clarified as to the cause of noncompliance with the drug protocol. d. regret. This shows very poor cholesterol control.
The nurse is caring for a client who will undergo a gastrectomy the following day. Which interventions are included in the postoperative plan of care for the client? (Select all that apply.)
a. Monitor and record accurate intake and output (I&O). b. Remind the client to use the incentive spirometer twice daily. c. Change abdominal dressings daily using medical asepsis. d. Remind the client daily to use patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) before pain becomes severe. e. Keep the head of the client's bed elevated whenever possible. f. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with normal saline every 8 hours PRN.
Hospital performance improvement standards are primarily focused on the ability of the hospital to
a. meet the goals established by the regulat-ing bodies. b. develop an atmosphere that meets and exceeds the expectations of the customers and staff. c. be known in the community for good care. d. provide a shelter for people in a disaster.
The nurse would evaluate that patient education regarding lithium therapy for an indi-vidual with bipolar disorder as effective if the patient states:
a. "I can stop my lithium when I feel better." b. "I can continue with my diuretic and cardiac medications." c. "I will probably need to take the lithium for the rest of my life." d. "I will taper my lithium when a therapeutic serum level is achieved."