A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia. During the interaction, the nurse notices that the patient’s facial expressions are minimal and do not seem to match the emotions being expressed verbally. This is an example of:

Labile affect

Flat affect

Inappropriate affect

Blunted affect

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Labile affect involves rapid, unpredictable emotional shifts, common in bipolar disorder. It does not describe minimal facial expressions or a mismatch between verbal and nonverbal emotions, as seen in schizophrenia. The described scenario involves incongruence, not rapid changes, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Flat affect is a near absence of emotional expression, often seen in schizophrenia, where patients show minimal facial or vocal changes. While related, it does not specifically address the mismatch between verbal emotions and minimal facial expressions described, making it less precise than inappropriate affect.

Choice C reason: Inappropriate affect, common in schizophrenia, occurs when emotional expressions do not match the context or verbal content, such as minimal facial expressions despite verbal emotional statements. This results from disrupted neural connections in the limbic system and prefrontal cortex, making it the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Blunted affect involves reduced intensity of emotional expression, often in schizophrenia, but does not emphasize a mismatch between verbal and nonverbal emotions. It describes a general dampening of affect, not the specific incongruence noted in the scenario, making this choice incorrect.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: A legal guardian, appointed for a patient with advanced dementia, has authority to make healthcare decisions, as the patient lacks capacity due to cognitive impairment. Following the guardian’s decisions ensures legal and ethical compliance, prioritizing the patient’s best interests, making this the correct choice.

Choice B reason: Ignoring the legal guardian violates legal standards, as the guardian is appointed to act in the patient’s best interest. Nurses lack authority to override guardians, and doing so risks unethical care and legal repercussions, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Consulting a patient with advanced dementia directly disregards their lack of decision-making capacity, as cognitive impairments prevent informed choices. The legal guardian’s role supersedes patient preferences in this context, making this choice incorrect.

Choice D reason: Requiring written consent from a patient with advanced dementia is inappropriate, as they lack capacity to provide informed consent. Legal guardians provide consent for such patients, ensuring care aligns with their best interests, making this choice incorrect.

A. Inappropriate affect B. Flat affect C. Labile affect

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Inappropriate affect, where emotions like manic laughter mismatch the context of loss, is common in disorders like schizophrenia. It reflects limbic-prefrontal dysregulation, causing emotional responses to be incongruent with the situation, making this the correct choice for the described behavior.

Choice B reason: Flat affect involves minimal or no emotional expression, often in schizophrenia or depression. The patient’s manic laughter is an active, inappropriate response, not a lack of emotion, making this choice incorrect for the scenario described.

Choice C reason: Labile affect involves rapid emotional shifts, such as laughing to crying, seen in bipolar disorder. The scenario describes a single inappropriate response (manic laughter), not shifts, making this choice incorrect for the patient’s presentation.

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A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia. During the interaction, the nurse notices that the patient’s facial expressions are minimal and do not seem to match the emotions being expressed verbally. This is an example of:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for an elderly patient with advanced dementia who is unable to make healthcare decisions independently. The patient’s adult child has been appointed legal guardian. What is the nurse’s best action regarding the patient’s care decisions?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

During a mental health assessment, a patient laughs manically while describing a recent loss of a loved one. The nurse recognizes this emotional expression as:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

What is psychomotor retardation as seen in psychiatric patients?

A patient is brought to the psychiatric unit by family members after expressing suicidal thoughts but refuses voluntary admission. The healthcare team proceeds with involuntary commitment. Which of the following statements best describes involuntary commitment?

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A patient missed a treatment option. Later, the patient appears withdrawn and avoids eye contact when discussing calling loved ones. Which is the best nursing action?

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A nurse observes a patient with bipolar disorder who suddenly shifts from laughing joyfully to crying within minutes during the therapy session. This sudden and intense change in emotional expression is an example of: