The wife of an alcoholic tells the nurse, "My husband only drinks on the weekends to relax. He has a very stressful job." The nurse recognizes that the patient's wife is using which defense mechanism?
a. Repression
b. Denial
c. Rationalization
d. Identification
C
Rationalization is a justification for an unreasonable act to make it appear reasonable. Rationali-zation is used by many families to allay their own anxiety about the substance abuse of a family member. Repression refers to unconsciously blocking an unwanted thought or memory from open expression. Denial is ignoring reality in spite of hard evidence. Denial is a mechanism frequently used by substance abusers. Identification refers to modeling behaviors after another individual.
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A nurse is administering heparin, subcutaneous twice daily, to a patient in cardiogenic shock. What is the expected action of this drug?
a. Inotropic to improve cardiac contractibil-ity b. Anticoagulant to prevent blood clots c. Antidysrhythmic to restore normal cardiac contractibility d. Vasopressor to increase blood pressure
A nurse is caring for a client who has designated someone else to make health care decisions when he or she is unable to do so. Which of the following is being used by the client?
a. An advanced medical directive b. A living will c. A durable medical power of attorney d. The Patient Self-Determination Act
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a woman who delivered her first child 2 days ago. The nurse understands that additional information is needed if the patient makes which statement?
1. "I should expect a lighter flow next week." 2. "The flow will increase if I am too active." 3. "My bleeding will remain red for about a month." 4. "I will be able to use a pantiliner in a day or two."
A patient enters the emergency department in an addisonian crisis. Vital signs are blood pressure 85/52 mm Hg and pulse 88 beats/min. The patient is lethargic. Which event in the patient's week most likely precipitated this crisis?
a. Taking Tylenol for a headache b. Maintaining usual exercise of walking each night c. Eating a high-fat diet d. Being laid off from a job