A nurse assesses a patient who reports a 3-week history of depression and crying spells. The patient says, "My business is bankrupt, and I was served with divorce papers."
Which subsequent statement by the patient alerts the nurse to a concealed suicidal message?
a. "I wish I were dead."
b. "Life is not worth living."
c. "I have a plan that will fix everything."
d. "My family will be better off without me."
ANS: C
Verbal clues to suicide may be overt or covert. The incorrect options are overt references to suicide. The correct option is more veiled. It alludes to the patient's suicide as being a way to "fix everything" but does not say it outright.
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A nurse is educating a patient with gout about lifestyle modifications that can help control the signs and symptoms of the disease. What recommendation should the nurse make?
A) Ensuring adequate rest B) Limiting exposure to sunlight C) Limiting intake of alcohol D) Smoking cessation
The nurse is preparing to assess a new client with a neuropsychiatric disorder. As a strategy to maintain the client's sense of self-determination, the nurse begins the mental status assessment with:
A) The health care team present. B) The client only, for primary data. C) An ADL demonstration. D) Family members present.
When working with a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a nurse appropriately intervenes when the CNA says to the patient or the patient's family which of the following? Select all that apply
1. "Could you ask your father to speak English with me? I heard him talk to you in English when we admitted him, but he'll only speak to me in Spanish, and I can't take care of him if I don't understand him." 2. "Yes, ma'am, if you'd like to get out of bed so you can kneel down to pray, I can help you do that. Can you kneel without difficulty?" 3. "Good morning, Muhammad—I'm just checking up on you. You asked us not to serve pork with your meals. Has the food service staff been complying with your wishes?" 4. "Yes, Mr. Assad. If you'd rather have a male nurse, I'll have one assigned to you right away." 5. "Hello, Mrs. Chang. I understand that until your surgery, you'd rather take some Chinese herbal medicine for your pain, instead of ibuprofen. We don't have any herbal medicine in stock here, so wouldn't you rather take some ibuprofen now and then get some herbal medicine later, after you're out of the hospital?"
What is the role of the primary caregiver/parent in the acute care setting?
1. The caregiver/parent should not visit while the school-age child is hospitalized in order to prevent anxiety. 2. The caregiver/parent should be involved in the care of the school-age child as much as possible. 3. The caregiver/parent may visit, but only for brief visits during the day. 4. The caregiver/parent should stay with the patient, but not ask too many questions or assist with the care of the school-age child.