A nurse provides care for an adolescent patient diagnosed with an eating disorder. Which behaviour by this nurse indicates that additional clinical supervision is needed?
The nurse interacts with the patient in a protective fashion
The nurse refers the patient to a self-help group for individuals with eating disorders
The nurse teaches the patient to recognize signs of increasing anxiety and ways to intervene
The nurse's comments to the patient are compassionate and nonjudgmental
The Correct Answer is A
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Interacting in a protective fashion suggests a boundary blurring or an enmeshed relationship, which is counterproductive in treating eating disorders. Adolescents with these disorders often struggle with autonomy. Overprotection by the nurse can stifle the patient's development of self-efficacy and independence, necessitating further clinical supervision for the nurse.
Choice B reason: Referring a patient to a self-help group is an appropriate nursing intervention that promotes peer support and reduces social isolation. This action demonstrates a proper understanding of the multidisciplinary approach required for eating disorder recovery and does not indicate a need for additional clinical supervision or correction.
Choice C reason: Teaching the patient to recognize and intervene in their own anxiety is a core component of cognitive-behavioral nursing care. Since anxiety often drives disordered eating behaviors, this intervention empowers the patient with coping mechanisms. This reflects high-quality psychiatric nursing care rather than a need for supervisory intervention.
Choice D reason: Maintaining a compassionate and nonjudgmental stance is fundamental to establishing a therapeutic alliance. Patients with eating disorders often experience intense shame and guilt. A nonjudgmental approach fosters trust and encourages the patient to be honest about their behaviors, which is a sign of competent nursing practice.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Behaving without considering consequences is a clinical indicator of impulsivity and poor executive functioning. This behavior is often associated with various personality disorders or manic episodes and represents a failure of self-regulation, which is the opposite of the self-awareness required for optimal mental health and social functioning.
Choice B reason: While seeking help is occasionally appropriate, mentally healthy behavior involves a high degree of autonomy and self-reliance in managing one's primary life responsibilities. Constant dependence on others for major life areas suggests an external locus of control or a dependent personality style rather than a state of health.
Choice C reason: Mental health is characterized by a positive self-concept, a sense of self-efficacy, and the ability to adapt to the requirements of daily life. Recognizing one's own potential for personal growth (ideals) while successfully managing the stresses of reality (meeting demands) demonstrates psychological resilience and healthy ego functioning.
Choice D reason: Aggressively meeting one's own needs at the expense of others is a hallmark of antisocial behavior and impaired social-emotional intelligence. Mental health requires a balance between self-advocacy and empathy, ensuring that one's own goals are met through prosocial interactions that respect the boundaries and rights of the community.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Asking if the patient has Alzheimer's disease is a closed-ended question that assumes a prior diagnosis. It does not help the nurse distinguish between a new, acute onset of delirium and the chronic, progressive cognitive decline characteristic of established dementia or Alzheimer's pathology.
Choice B reason: The most critical distinction between delirium and dementia is the temporal onset. Delirium is characterized by an acute, rapid onset (hours to days) and fluctuating course, whereas dementia is chronic and progressive. Asking about the duration of symptoms helps identify if the confusion is a medical emergency.
Choice C reason: Inquiries about violence relate to behavioral disturbances and safety risks but do not provide diagnostic clarity regarding the etiology of cognitive impairment. Both delirium and dementia can manifest with agitation or aggression, so this information does not help differentiate between the two conditions clinically.
Choice D reason: While a family history of neurocognitive disorders can indicate a genetic predisposition for certain types of dementia, it does not assist in the immediate assessment of an elderly patient's current state of confusion. It provides no information regarding the acute or chronic nature of the symptoms.
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