A nurse is collecting data from a middle-aged client whose partner died seven months ago.
Which of the following findings indicate that the client is experiencing maladaptive grieving?
The client has lost 10 lb.
The client visits his partner’s grave each month.
The client has been unable to return to work.
The client has difficulty sleeping
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Losing 10 lb after the death of a loved one is not uncommon, especially within the first few months of grieving. It can be due to decreased appetite, changes in eating habits, or increased physical activity. While it's important to monitor weight loss and ensure adequate nutrition, it doesn't necessarily indicate maladaptive grieving on its own.
Grief can often lead to changes in appetite and weight. Some people may experience a loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss, while others may find themselves overeating or gaining weight. These changes are often temporary and subside as the grieving process progresses.
It's important to consider the client's overall health and well-being when assessing weight loss. If the client is experiencing significant weight loss, it's important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to it.
Choice B rationale:
Visiting a loved one's grave is a common way to grieve and remember them. It can be a way to feel connected to the deceased, express love and sorrow, and find solace. It's a normal part of the grieving process and doesn't necessarily indicate maladaptive grieving.
Grieving individuals often find comfort in visiting the gravesite of their loved one. It can be a place to reflect, remember, and feel close to the deceased. Visiting a gravesite can also be a way to honor the loved one's memory and express continued love and respect.
The frequency of grave visits can vary from person to person. Some individuals may visit frequently, while others may only visit on special occasions or anniversaries. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and what matters most is that the individual finds a way to express their grief in a way that feels right for them.
Choice D rationale:
Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of grief. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including anxiety, sadness, and changes in sleep patterns. While it can be distressing, it's not always a sign of maladaptive grieving.
Grief can disrupt sleep patterns in a number of ways. It can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. It can also lead to nightmares, night sweats, and early morning awakenings. These sleep disturbances can be both physically and emotionally draining.
There are a number of things that can be done to improve sleep during grief. These include establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and getting regular exercise. If sleep problems persist, it's important to seek professional help.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice C.
Choice A rationale: While acknowledging the client's experience is important, this statement does not immediately address the content of the hallucinations, which could be crucial for assessing the client's safety.
Choice B rationale: Asking how often the client hears the voices is useful information for later, but it is not the immediate priority when first addressing auditory hallucinations.
Choice C rationale: Asking what the voices are telling the client is the priority. This helps the nurse assess if the hallucinations include commands or harmful content, which is essential for determining the client's immediate safety and risk of self-harm or harm to others.
Choice D rationale: Explaining that the voices are part of the client's illness can be useful for long-term understanding, but it does not address the immediate need to assess the content of the hallucinations.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Pseudoparkinsonism is an extrapyramidal side effect (EPSE) of antipsychotic medications, particularly first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) like haloperidol, that closely resembles the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It's characterized by:
Stooped posture: A forward-leaning posture, often with rounded shoulders and a head that is bent forward.
Shuffling gait: Small, slow steps with reduced arm swing, often described as a "shuffling" or "dragging" walk.
Rigidity: Increased muscle stiffness throughout the body, leading to resistance to movement and a feeling of tightness.
Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement, both in initiating and completing actions.
Tremor: Involuntary shaking, often most noticeable in the hands, but can also affect the arms, legs, head, or jaw.
Masked facies: A decreased facial expression, often described as a "flat" or "expressionless" face.
Mechanism of pseudoparkinsonism:
Haloperidol primarily blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway of the brain.
Dopamine plays a crucial role in motor control, and its blockade in this pathway leads to a disruption in the balance of dopamine and acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter involved in movement.
This imbalance results in the characteristic symptoms of pseudoparkinsonism.
Risk factors for pseudoparkinsonism:
Older age
Female sex
Higher doses of antipsychotic medication
Prolonged use of antipsychotic medication
History of Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders
Presence of other EPSEs
Management of pseudoparkinsonism:
Dose reduction: If possible, the dose of the antipsychotic medication may be reduced.
Switching to a different antipsychotic: Some antipsychotics, such as second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), have a lower risk of causing EPSEs.
Anticholinergic medications: These medications can help to counteract the effects of dopamine blockade on the acetylcholine system, but they can have their own side effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention.
Amantadine: This medication can also be used to treat pseudoparkinsonism, but it has the potential to cause side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, and livedo reticularis (a mottled skin rash).
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