Medical Tests Medical Tests Certifications CEN Questions & Answers

• Question 91:

  What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for dealing with a suicidal patient?

  A. Have confidence in the patient's ability to deal with stressors.

  B. Provide hope and reassurance that it will resolve itself.

  C. Display an attitude of detachment, confrontation and efficiency.

  D. Provide authority, action and participation.

  Correct Answer: D

  The nurse should provide authority, action and participation for the patient. The nurse should take over the patient and provide control and devise a plan to secure the patient's safety. The nurse should help the patient to develop coping skills to deal with problems.

• Question 92:

  A patient who has been assaulted is exhibiting signs of hyperventilation, pacing, rapid speech and

  headache.

  What level of anxiety is this patient in?

  A. Panic

  B. Severe

  C. Moderate

  D. Psychotic

  Correct Answer: B

  This patient is displaying the signs of severe anxiety. This patient would display signs of hyperventilation, purposeless activity, loud, rapid speech and headache. The other three options are incorrect.

• Question 93:

  You are caring for a patient who has been assaulted. The patient is agitated, trembling, and

  hyperventilating.

  What would be the priority nursing intervention?

  A. Encourage the patient to discuss the assault.

  B. Place the patient in a quiet room alone.

  C. Remain with the patient.

  D. Teach relaxation techniques.

  Correct Answer: C

  Remain with the patient when they are in a severe state of anxiety. Encouraging the patient to discuss the assault will only increase the anxiety. The patient would not be able to learn relaxation techniques while in a state of severe anxiety.

• Question 94:

  You are caring for an older female patient whose husband died six months ago. Which of the following actions by the patient indicates ineffective coping?

  A. Visiting the grave once a month

  B. Participating in a senior citizens program

  C. Looking at old snapshots of her family

  D. Neglecting her personal grooming

  Correct Answer: D

  The older patient who has lost her husband is not coping well if she begins to neglect her personal grooming. Patients use coping mechanisms to decrease stress and anxiety. In some cases extreme behavior that is harmful to them physically or psychologically may occur.

• Question 95:

  You are providing an education session for you unit on abuse of older patients. Which of the following patients is most likely to be an abused patient?

  A. A 90-year-old patient with advanced Parkinson's disease

  B. A 68-year-old patient with early Lyme disease

  C. A 70-year old-patient with newly diagnosed cataracts

  D. A 75-year-old patient with moderate hypertension

  Correct Answer: A

  A 90 year old patient with advanced Parkinson's disease is more likely to be abused than any of the other patients. The typical patient to be abused would be one of advance age with few social contacts and at least one physical or mental impairment that limits the ability of the patient to perform activities of daily living.

• Question 96:

  Your patient with schizophrenia is taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine). She complains that her urine has turned dark. You know that this is caused by:

  A. Increased intake of acid-ash foods and liquids

  B. A urinary tract infection

  C. A normal side effect of the medication

  D. Medication toxicity

  Correct Answer: C

  Dark urine is a normal side effect of chlorpromazine (Thorazine). This medication is an antipsychotic medication. To prevent patient from discontinuing medication, they should be made aware that this side effect is harmless.

• Question 97:

  If your patient was taking clozapine (Clozaril), what laboratory result would you want to monitor for adverse effects?

  A. White blood cell count

  B. Platelet count

  C. Blood glucose

  D. Liver function studies

  Correct Answer: A

  The nurse would want to monitor the patient's white blood cell count while they are taking this medication. This medication commonly causes agranulocytosis. Treatment would be interrupted if the white blood cell count drops below 3000 cells/mm. Agranulocytosis could become fatal if not detected.

• Question 98:

  What adverse effect would you observe in a patient who is taking an excessive amount of bupropion (Wellbutrin)?

  A. Dizziness when getting up

  B. Seizure activity

  C. Increased weight

  D. Constipation

  Correct Answer: B

  The patient would begin to have seizures if they are taking an excess amount of bupropion (Wellbutrin). A dosage of more than 450 mg daily is considered to be excessive. Weight gain and constipation are common side effects of this medication. Orthostatic hypotension is not a side effect of this medication.

• Question 99:

  Your patient is receiving lithium carbonate (Lithobid). She reports to you that she is having loose, watery stools and difficulty walking. What do you suspect the patient's lithium level will be?

  A. 0.7 mEq/L

  B. 1 mEq/L

  C. 1.3 mEq/L

  D. 1.8 mEq/L

  Correct Answer: D

  The nurse should expect the patient's lithium level to be 1.8 mEq/L. The normal lithium level is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/ L. A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates a mild toxicity. Levels between 1.5 and 2.5 mEq/L would indicate symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, incoordination, muscle twitching and slurred speech.

• Question 100:

  Your patient complains that they have been feeling faint when they attempt to get out of bed in the morning. They have been taking thioridazine hydrochloride (Mellaril). What side effect is this patient experiencing?

  A. Psychosomatic disorder

  B. Cardiac dysrhythmia

  C. Respiratory insufficiency

  D. Postural hypotension

  Correct Answer: D

  The patient is experiencing postural hypotension. Thioridazine hydrochloride (Mellaril) is an antipsychotic medication that frequently causes postural hypotension. The patient needs to be taught to rise from bed slowly to prevent harm from this medication.