Psychosocial Integrity
Question 1
An American Indian chief visits his newborn son and performs a traditional ceremony that involves feathers and chanting. The attending nurse tells a colleague "I wonder if he has any idea how ridiculous he looks -- he's a grown man!" The nurse's response is an example of
A) Discrimination
B) Stereotyping
C) Ethnocentrism
D) Prejudice
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: Prejudice
Prejudice is a hostile attitude toward individuals simply because they belong to a particular group presumed to have objectionable qualities. Prejudice refers to preconceived ideas, beliefs, or opinions about an individual, group, or culture that limit a full and accurate understanding of the individual, culture, gender, race, event, or situation.
Leininger, M. & McFarland, M. (2002). Transcultural Nursing: Concepts, Theories, Research and Practice. New York: McGraw Hill/ Appleton and Long.
Potter P. and Perry, A. (2005). Fundamental of Nursing. (6th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby
Question 2
A mother with a Roman Catholic belief has given birth in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. The neonate is in very critical condition with little expectation of surviving the trip to the hospital. Which of these requests should the nurse in the ambulance anticipate and be prepared to do?
A) The refusal of any treatment for self and the neonate until she talks to a reader
B) The placement of a rosary necklace around the neonate's neck and not to remove it unless absolutely necessary
C) Arrange for a church elder to be at the emergency department when the ambulance arrives so a "laying on hands" can be done
D) Pour fluid over the forehead backwards towards the back of the head and say "I baptize you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit. Amen."
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: Pour fluid over the forehead backwards towards the back of the head and say "I baptize you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit. Amen."
Infant baptism is madatory in the Roman Catholic belief especially if a neonate is not expected to live. Anyone may perform this if an infant or child is gravely ill. Option A refers to the Christian Science belief. Option B is a belief of Russian Orthodoxy. Mormons believe of devine healing with the laying on of hands, as represented in option C.
Delaune, S & Lander, P. (2002). Fundamentals in Nursing: Standards and Practice. (2nd ed). Clinton Park, New York: Delmar.
Altman, G. (2004). Delmar’s Fundamental and Advanced Nursing Skills, 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Question 3
A client says, "It's raining outside and it's raining in my heart. Did you know that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland? I've never been to Ireland." The nurse would document this behavior as
A) Perseveration
B) Circumstantiality
C) Neologisms
D) Flight of ideas
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: Flight of ideas
Flight of ideas is characterized by over productivity of talk and verbal skipping from 1 idea to another. It is classic with clients diagnosed as bipolar disorder and occurs in the manic state of this disease.
Fontaine, K.L. (2003). Mental Health Nursing, (5th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Varcarolis, E., (2002) Foundations of Psychiatry Mental Health Nursing A Clinical Approach (4th ed.). Philadelphia. Saunders
Question 4
A 2 day-old child with spina bifida and meningomyocele is in the intensive care unit after the initial surgery. As the nurse accompanies the grandparents for a first visit, which response should the nurse anticipate of the grandparents?
A) Depression
B) Anger
C) Frustration
D) Disbelief
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: Disbelief
The first phase of the grieving process is shock, denial or disbelief. Then follows anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Each stage can take any amount of time to work through. Clients often go back and forth the stages before acceptance occurs. Some client get stuck in 1 or 2 of the stages.
Hockenberry, M.J., Wilson, D., Winklestein, M.L., & Kline, N.E. (2003). Wong’s NursingCare of Infants and Children, (7th ed). St. Louis: Mosby.
Phipps, W., Monahan, F., Sands, J., Marke, J., Neighbors, N. (2003) Medical-Surgical Nursing: Health and Illness Perspectives. (7th Edition). Mosby: St. Louis, Missouri.
Question 5
Which of these findings would indicate that the nurse-client relationship has passed from the orientation phase to the working phase? The client
A) Has revitalized a relationship with her family to help cope with the death of a daughter
B) Had recognized regressive behavior as a defense mechanism
C) Expresses a desire to be cared for and pampered
D) Recognizes feelings with appropriate expression of feelings
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: Recognizes feelings with appropriate expression of feelings
During the working phase, the client is able to focus on pleasant or unpleasant feelings and express them appropriately.
Potter P. and Perry, A. (2005). Fundamental of Nursing. (6th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby
Delaune, S & Lander, P. (2002). Fundamentals in Nursing: Standards and Practice. (2nd ed). Clinton Park, New York: Delmar.
Question 6
A client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa states after lunch, "I shouldn’t have eaten all of that sandwich, I don’t know why I ate it, I wasn’t hungry." The client’s comments indicate that the client is likely experiencing
A) Guilt
B) Bloating
C) Anxiety
D) Fear
Answers Correct A
Review Information: The correct answer is A: Guilt
If people with anorexia lose control and eat more than they believe to be appropriate, they experience guilt.
Fontaine, K.L. (2003). Mental Health Nursing, (5th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Varcarolis, E., (2002) Foundations of Psychiatry Mental Health Nursing A Clinical Approach (4th ed.). Philadelphia. Saunders
Question 7
Which statement by the client during the initial assessment in the the emergency department is most indicative for suspected domestic violence?
A) "I am determined to leave my house in a week."
B) "No one else in the family has been treated like this."
C) "I have only been married for 2 months."
D) "I have tried leaving, but have always gone back."
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: "I have tried leaving, but have always gone back."
Victims develop a high tolerance for abuse. They blame themselves for being victimized. All members in the family suffer from the effects of abuse, even if they are not the actual victims. For these reasons, victims often have an extensive history of abuse and struggle for a long time before they can leave permanently.
Altman, G. (2004). Delmar’s Fundamental and Advanced Nursing Skills, 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Swearingen, P. (2004). All-in-One Care Planning Resource: Medical-surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans. St. Louis: Mosby.
Question 8
Which of these statements by the nurse reflects the best use of therapeutic interaction techniques?
A) "You look upset. Would you like to talk about it?"
B) "I'd like to know more about your family. Tell me about them."
C) "I understand that you lost your partner. I don't think I could go on if that happened to me."
D) "You look very sad. How long have you been this way?"
Answers Correct A
Review Information: The correct answer is A: "You look upset. Would you like to talk about it?"
Giving broad opening statements and making observations are examples of therapeutic communication. The other options are too specific or focused to be therapeutic.
Potter P. and Perry, A. (2005). Fundamental of Nursing. (6th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby
Delaune, S & Lander, P. (2002). Fundamentals in Nursing: Standards and Practice. (2nd ed). Clinton Park, New York: Delmar.
Question 9
An explosion has occurred at a high school for children with special needs and severe developmental delays. One of the students accompanied with a parent is seen at a community health center a day later. After the initial assessment the nurse concludes that the student appears to be in a crisis state. Which of these interventions based on crisis intervention principles is appropriate to do next?
A) Help the student to identify a specific problem
B) Ask the parent to identify the major problem
C) Ask the student to think of different alternatives
D) Examine with the parent a varitey of options
Answers Correct B
Review Information: The correct answer is B: Ask the parent to identify the major problem
If a client is unable to participate in problem solving because of developmental delays or altered mental status, then crisis intervention should not be attempted. However the family can be approached with the use of crisis intervention methods. The crisis intervention method includes 5 steps: identify the problem and then the alternatives, selection of an alternative, implementation, and evaluation.
Delaune, S & Lander, P. (2002). Fundamentals in Nursing: Standards and Practice. (2nd ed). Clinton Park, New York: Delmar.
Altman, G. (2004). Delmar’s Fundamental and Advanced Nursing Skills, 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Question 10
A nurse in the emergency department suspects domestic violence as the cause of a client's injuries. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Ask client if there are any old injuries also present
B) Interview the client without the persons who came with the client
C) Gain client's trust by not being hurried during the intake process
D) Photograph the specific injuries in question
Answers Correct B
Review Information: The correct answer is B: Interview the client without the persons who came with the client
It is critical to separate the client from their partner or significant other. With the use of the nursing process the nurse’s first action when a client is unstable or has potential problems is further assessment of the situation.
Condon, M.C. (2004). Women''s health, an integrated approach to wellness and illness. Uper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Altman, G. (2004). Delmar’s Fundamental and Advanced Nursing Skills, 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Question 11
A teenage female is admitted with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Upon admission, the nurse finds a bottle of assorted pills in the client’s drawer. The client tells the nurse that they are antacids for stomach pains. The best response by the nurse would be
A) "These pills aren’t antacids since they are all different."
B) "Some teenagers use pills to lose weight."
C) "Tell me about your week prior to being admitted."
D) "Are you taking pills to change your weight?"
Answers Correct C
Review Information: The correct answer is C: "Tell me about your week prior to being admitted."
This is an open-ended question which is nonjudgemental and allows for further discussion. The topic is also nonthreatening yet will give the nurse insight into the client''s view of events leading up to admission. It is the only option that is client centered. The other options focus on the pills.
Fontaine, K.L. (2003). Mental Health Nursing, (5th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Hockenberry, M.J., Wilson, D., Winklestein, M.L., & Kline, N.E. (2003). Wong’s NursingCare of Infants and Children, (7th ed). St. Louis: Mosby.
Question 12
A 65-year-old Catholic Hispanic-Latino client with prostate cancer adamantly refuses pain medication because the client believes that suffering is part of life. The client states “everyone’s life is in God's hands.” The next action for the nurse to take is to
A) Report the situation to the health care provider
B) Discuss the situation with the client's family
C) Ask the client if talking with a priest would be desired
D) Document the situation on the notes
Answers Correct C
Review Information: The correct answer is C: Ask the client if talking with a priest would be desired
Beliefs regarding pain are one of the oldest culturally related research areas in health care. Astute observations and careful assessments must be completed to determine the level of pain a person can tolerate. Health-care practitioners must investigate the meaning of pain to each person within a cultural explanatory framework.
Potter P. and Perry, A. (2005). Fundamental of Nursing. (6th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby
Lewis, S.M., Heitkemper, M.M., & Dirksen, S. R. (2004). Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment & management of clinical problems. St. Louis: Mosby.
Question 13
Which statement made by a client to the admitting nurse suggests that the client is experiencing a manic episode?
A) "I think all children should have their heads shaved."
B) "I have been restricted in thought and harmed."
C) "I have powers to get you whatever you wish, no matter the cost."
D) "I think all of my contacts last week have attempted to poison me."
Answers Correct C
Review Information: The correct answer is C: "I have powers to get you whatever you wish, no matter the cost."
Grandiosity is characteristic of a manic episode.
Fontaine, K.L. (2003). Mental Health Nursing, (5th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Varcarolis, E., (2002) Foundations of Psychiatry Mental Health Nursing A Clinical Approach (4th ed.). Philadelphia. Saunders
Question 14
A client who is thought to be homeless is brought to the emergency department by police. The client is unkempt, has difficulty concentrating, is unable to sit still and speaks in a loud tone of voice. Which of these actions is the appropriate nursing intervention for the client at this time?
A) Allow the client to randomly move about the holding area until a hosptial room is available
B) Engage the client in an activity that requires focus and individual effort
C) Isolate the client in a secure room until control is regained by the client
D) Locate a room that has minimal stimulation outside of it for admission process
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: Locate a room that has minimal stimulation outside of it for admission process
This intervention allows the client with moderate anxiety to have human contact in an environment with minimal stimulation. It also facilitates efficiency in the initial screening and admission process to the emergency department.
Edelman, C.L. and Mandle, C.M.(2002). Health promotion throughout the lifespan. (5th edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.
Fontaine, K.L. (2003). Mental Health Nursing, (5th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Question 15
A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is referred for home care. A family member present expresses concern that the client seems depressed. The nurse should initially focus assessment by using which approach?
A) The results of a standardized tool that measures depression
B) Observation of affect and behavior
C) Inquiry about use of alcohol
D) Family history of emotional problems or mental illness
Answers Correct B
Review Information: The correct answer is B: Observation of affect and behavior
Although it is important to begin an assessment for depression immediately, the assessment should not be aggressive unless the nurse has confirmed the observation of the family member or if there are concerns about the risk of suicide.
Clark, M.J. ( 2003). Community Health Nursing: Caring for Populations. (4th edition). Prentice Hall:Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Edelman, C.L. and Mandle, C.M.(2002). Health promotion throughout the lifespan. (5th edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.
Question 16
An elderly client who lives in a retirement community is admitted with these behaviors as reported by the daughter: absence in the daily senior group activity, missing the weekly card games, a change in calling the daughter from daily to once a week, and the client's tomato garden is overgrown with weeds. The nurse should assign this client to a room with which one of these clients?
A) An adolescent who was admitted the day before with acute situational depression
B) A middle aged person who has been on the unit for 72 hours with a dysthymia
C) An elderly person who was admitted 3 hours ago with cycothymia
D) A young adult who was admitted 24 hours ago for detoxification
Answers Correct B
Review Information: The correct answer is B: A middle aged person who has been on the unit for 72 hours with a dysthymia
The findings suggest a client who is depressed. The most therapeutic mileu or environment for this client would be the client with a similar problem and a client that might be more stable. A secondary consideration is to match the age as close as possible. The client in option A has depression and would be more likely to be unstable since they have been in the agency for 24 hours. Dysthymia is defined as a mild depression with findings of trouble falling asleep or no difficulty falling asleep but then wakes up in the middle of the night and with difficulty is able to fall back asleep. Cycothymia is the occurance of periods for behaviors that do not meet the criteria for manic or major depressive episodes.
Delaune, S & Lander, P. (2002). Fundamentals in Nursing: Standards and Practice. (2nd ed). Clinton Park, New York: Delmar.
Altman, G. (2004). Delmar’s Fundamental and Advanced Nursing Skills, 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Question 17
A nurse states: "I dislike caring for African-American clients because they are all so hostile." The nurse's statement is an example of
A) Prejudice
B) Discrimination
C) Stereotyping
D) Racism
Answers Correct C
Review Information: The correct answer is C: Stereotyping
Stereotyping refers to placing people and institutions, mentally or by attitudes, into a narrow, fixed trait, rigid pattern, or within inflexible "boxlike" characteristics. Stereotyping is one of the most common concerns of nurses when they begin to study different cultures and learn about transcultural nursing.
Leininger, M. & McFarland, M. (2002). Transcultural Nursing: Concepts, Theories, Research and Practice. New York: McGraw Hill/ Appleton and Long.
Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A. and Snyder, S. (2004). Fundamentals of Nursing. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Question 18
A client expresses anger when the call light is not answered within 5 minutes. The client demanded a blanket. The best response for the nurse to make is
A) "I apologize for the delay. I was involved in an emergency."
B) "Let's talk. Why are you upset about this?"
C) "I am surprised that you are upset. The request could have waited a few more minutes."
D) "I see this is frustrating for you. I have a few minutes so let's talk."
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: "I see this is frustrating for you. I have a few minutes so let''s talk."
This is the best response because it gives credence to the client''s feelings and then concerns. Option B does not acknowledge or validate the client''s feelings.
Potter P. and Perry, A. (2005). Fundamental of Nursing. (6th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby
Varcarolis, E., (2002) Foundations of Psychiatry Mental Health Nursing A Clinical Approach (4th ed.). Philadelphia. Saunders
Question 19
A client who has a belief based in Hinduism is nearing death. The nurse should plan for which action?
A) After death a Hindu priest will pour water into the mouth of the client and tie a thread around the client's wrist
B) The elders may be with the client during the process of the client dying and no last rites are given
C) The family must be with the client during the process of dying and be the only ones to wash the body after death
D) The body is ritually cleansed and burial is to be as soon as possible after the death occurs
Answers Correct A
Review Information: The correct answer is A: After death a Hindu priest will pour water into the mouth of the client and tie a thread around the client''s wirst
This action indicates a blessing in the practice of Hinduism. The family of a client who has the belief of Hinduism is particular about who touches the dead body and cremation is preferred. Also last rites are carefully prescribed. The actions in option B are expected with persons from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as Mormon). Also with this belief cremation is discouraged. Option C lists practices of the Islam religion. In addition only the family and friend may touch the body. Option D lists practices of Judaism. In addition autopsy is prohibited and organ donation or transplants are first approved by a rabbi.
Delaune, S & Lander, P. (2002). Fundamentals in Nursing: Standards and Practice. (2nd ed). Clinton Park, New York: Delmar.
Altman, G. (2004). Delmar’s Fundamental and Advanced Nursing Skills, 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Delmar.
Question 20
During the change-of-shift report the assigned nurse notes a Catholic client is scheduled to be admitted for the delivery of a ninth child. Which comment stated angrily to a colleague by this nurse indicates an attitude of prejudice?
A) "I wonder who is paying for this trip to the hospital?"
B) "I think she needs to go to the city hospital."
C) "All those people indulge in large families!"
D) "Doesn't she know there's such a thing as birth control?"
Answers Correct D
Review Information: The correct answer is D: "Doesn''t she know there''s such a thing as birth control?"
Prejudice is a hostile attitude toward individuals simply because they belong to a particular group presumed to have objectionable qualities. Prejudice refers to preconceived ideas, beliefs, or opinions about an individual, group, or culture that limit a full and accurate understanding of the individual, culture, gender, race, event, or situation.
Leininger, M. & McFarland, M. (2002). Transcultural Nursing: Concepts, Theories, Research and Practice. New York: McGraw Hill/ Appleton and Long.
Potter P. and Perry, A. (2005). Fundamental of Nursing. (6th Edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby
