A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an adolescent who has conduct disorder. Which of the following questions is the priority for the nurse to ask the client?
“How do you get along with your peers at school?”
“Do you have a criminal record?”
“Do you have thoughts of harming yourself?”
“How do you manage your behavior?”
The Correct Answer is C
This is the priority question for the nurse to ask the client because it assesses the client’s risk for suicide, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of conduct disorder. The nurse should use a direct and nonjudgmental approach when asking about suicidal ideation and plan.
Choice A is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client.
While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.
Choice B is wrong because it is not relevant to the client’s current condition and might make the client feel defensive or stigmatized.
The nurse should avoid asking questions that imply blame or judgment and focus on the client’s strengths and coping skills.
Choice D is wrong because it is not appropriate for the nurse to ask the client in an emergency department setting.
This question might imply that the client is responsible for their conduct disorder, which is a complex and multifactorial mental health condition. The nurse should collaborate with the client and their family to develop a behavior management plan that involves positive reinforcement, limit setting, and consistent consequences.
Normal ranges: According to the DSM-5, conduct disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or societal norms.
The symptoms of conduct disorder include aggression, deceitfulness, destruction of property, serious rule violations, and lack of remorse.
Conduct disorder can cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The prevalence of conduct disorder is estimated to be 4% among children and adolescents.
The risk factors for conduct disorder include genetic factors, neurobiological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Adjusting medication times based solely on convenience violates the prescribed dosing interval, which is essential for maintaining therapeutic drug levels and preventing antibiotic resistance or toxicity.
Choice B rationale: Facility policies typically allow a "grace period" for non-time-critical medications, usually 30 to 60 minutes before or after the scheduled time, to ensure safe and timely administration.
Choice C rationale: Administering a medication 2 hours late significantly deviates from the prescribed schedule, potentially causing the drug's plasma concentration to fall below the minimum effective level required for treatment.
Choice D rationale: Increasing the infusion rate of vancomycin is dangerous and can cause "Red Man Syndrome," a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by flushing, rash, and hypotension due to rapid histamine release.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is:
Choice C: Determine the medical needs of incoming clients through the emergency department.
Here's a breakdown of the rationale for each choice:
Choice A rationale: While calling in additional staff might be helpful in the long run, during the initial surge of patients in a mass casualty event, the Emergency Department (ED) will be the primary area receiving and triaging patients. The medical-surgical unit will likely receive overflow patients after initial stabilization in the ED.
Choice B rationale: This is not a primary responsibility for a nurse on a medical-surgical unit during a mass casualty event. Communication with the media is usually handled by designated public relations personnel.
Choice C rationale: This is the most crucial action for a nurse in this situation. Triaging patients based on the severity of their injuries and prioritizing care is essential in a mass casualty scenario. Nurses will be instrumental in assessing incoming patients relayed from the ED to determine their medical needs and allocate resources accordingly.
Choice D rationale: Discharging patients is not a priority during the initial influx of casualties. The focus is on receiving, stabilizing, and treating the most critically injured patients. Discharges would likely happen after the initial surge subsides.
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