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A nurse in a community clinic is speaking to a parent who expresses concern for her adolescent son.
Which of the following statements by the mother should indicate to the nurse that the adolescent is at risk for suicide?

“He spends much of his time with his school friends.”

“He has slept 9 hours each night for the past 2 years.”

“He is very religious and attends services twice a week.”

“His basketball coach committed suicide last month.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A rationale:

Spending time with friends can be a protective factor against suicide, as it provides social support and connection.

While isolation can be a risk factor, spending time with friends does not inherently indicate suicide risk.

It's important to assess the quality of relationships and the presence of other risk factors.

Choice B rationale:

Regular sleep patterns often indicate healthy mental health.

Significant changes in sleep patterns (either too much or too little) can be warning signs, but consistent sleep of 9 hours is not typically a concern.

It's essential to evaluate sleep quality and any recent changes.

Choice C rationale:

Religious involvement can provide a sense of purpose, belonging, and support, which can be protective against suicide.

While it's not a guarantee of protection, it's generally a positive factor.

It's crucial to assess the individual's level of engagement and any potential conflicts within their religious beliefs.

Choice D rationale:

Exposure to suicide, especially in a close connection like a coach, can significantly increase a person's risk for suicide.

It can lead to normalization of suicide as a coping mechanism, imitation of behavior, or triggering of underlying mental health issues.

This is a strong risk factor that warrants immediate attention and assessment.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Hemoglobin (Hgb) of 11 g/dL is slightly below the normal range for adult females (12-16 g/dL) but is not considered a critical value.

It may indicate mild anemia, which is common in bulimia nervosa due to factors such as poor nutrition and blood loss from self-induced vomiting. However, it would not typically be the most urgent finding requiring immediate intervention.

Choice B rationale:

Potassium of 2.8 mEq/L is significantly below the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and is considered a critical value, indicating severe hypokalemia.

Hypokalemia is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte imbalance that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and even death.

It is a common complication of bulimia nervosa due to excessive vomiting and/or laxative abuse, which can lead to significant potassium loss.

Therefore, this finding would be the nurse's priority, necessitating immediate intervention to correct the hypokalemia and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Choice C rationale:

Serum chloride of 96 mEq/L is slightly below the normal range (98-106 mEq/L) but is not considered a critical value.

It may be associated with hypokalemia, as chloride and potassium are often lost together in conditions like bulimia nervosa.

However, it would not typically be the most urgent finding requiring immediate intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Serum amylase of 240 units/L is elevated above the normal range (30-110 units/L) but is not considered a critical value.

It may indicate inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can be a complication of bulimia nervosa due to recurrent vomiting and/or alcohol abuse.

However, it would not typically be the most urgent finding requiring immediate intervention, especially in comparison to severe hypokalemia.

A. “You will remain asleep for about 2 hours after the procedure.” B. “These treatments should cure your depression.” C. “You will receive a medication to prevent seizure activity.” D. “You might experience some temporary memory loss after the procedure.”

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A rationale:

Incorrect. While patients typically do sleep for a period after ECT, the duration is usually shorter, around 30-60 minutes.

Providing inaccurate information about the length of sleep can lead to confusion and anxiety for the patient.

Evidence: Studies have shown that the average recovery time following ECT is around 30-60 minutes, with most patients feeling alert and oriented within that time frame. (Source: NIH.gov) Choice B rationale:

Incorrect. While ECT can be highly effective in treating depression, it is not considered a cure. It's important to manage expectations and emphasize that ECT is a treatment option that can significantly improve symptoms but may not guarantee a complete cure.

Evidence: Research indicates that ECT has a remission rate of approximately 50-70% in patients with severe depression, meaning that many patients experience a significant reduction or disappearance of symptoms. However, relapse rates can range from 30-50%, indicating that ongoing maintenance treatment is often necessary. (Source: American Psychiatric Association)

Choice C rationale:

Incorrect. Muscle relaxants, not seizure-preventing medications, are administered during ECT to protect the patient from injury during the induced seizure. It's crucial to clarify this distinction to avoid misunderstandings about the procedure's mechanism of action.

Evidence: Standard ECT protocols involve the use of a short-acting muscle relaxant, such as succinylcholine, to prevent muscle contractions during the seizure. This helps to minimize the risk of physical injury and ensure patient safety. (Source: Healthline.com)

Choice D rationale:

Correct. Temporary memory loss is a common side effect of ECT, and it's essential to inform patients about this potential issue to prepare them for the experience and address any concerns they may have.

Evidence: Studies have shown that approximately 40-50% of patients experience some degree of memory impairment following ECT, primarily affecting short-term memory of events occurring around the time of treatment. However, this memory loss is usually temporary and resolves within a few weeks or months for most patients. (Source: Studocu.com)

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A nurse in a community clinic is speaking to a parent who expresses concern for her adolescent son. Which of the following statements by the mother should indicate to the nurse that the adolescent is at risk for suicide?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the admission laboratory values for a client who has a history of bulimia nervosa. Which of the following findings is the nurse’s priority?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse facilitating a group therapy session is listening to clients discuss their coping strategies when feeling stressed. Which of the following statements indicate adaptive coping? (Select all that apply.)

During a group therapy session, a nurse observes several clients using multiple defense mechanisms. Which of the following client statements demonstrates the use of maladaptive coping mechanisms?

A nurse is making a home visit for a 16-year-old adolescent who attempted suicide. Which of the following behaviors should alert the nurse that the adolescent still has suicidal intent?

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A nurse is discussing insomnia management techniques with a group of clients who have anxiety disorders. Which of the following techniques mentioned by a client requires further teaching?

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A nurse in a community clinic is speaking to a parent who expresses concern for her adolescent son.
Which of the following statements by the mother should indicate to the nurse that the adolescent is at risk for suicide?