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?

“I mentally separate myself from distractions around me when I paint on canvas.”

“I wrote a short story about a heroic woman when I was really mad at my boss.”

“I still cannot remember the scene of my husband’s car accident.”

“I don’t care about work anymore since I was not given a promotion.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale:

Mental separation from distractions during painting is a healthy coping mechanism, allowing for focus and mindfulness.

It falls under the adaptive defense mechanism of compartmentalization, which involves temporarily separating thoughts and emotions to manage stress effectively.

It doesn't deny or distort reality, but rather creates a temporary mental space for relaxation and creativity.

Choice B rationale:

Writing a short story about a heroic woman is a form of sublimation, channeling negative emotions into a productive and creative outlet.

It's a mature defense mechanism that allows for indirect expression of anger or frustration without causing harm to oneself or others.

It can lead to personal growth and insight, as it encourages reflection and exploration of emotions through storytelling.

Choice C rationale:

Inability to recall the scene of a traumatic event is likely a dissociative defense mechanism, protecting the individual from overwhelming psychological distress.

It's a common response to trauma, and while it may be maladaptive in the long term if it prevents processing the trauma, it serves a protective function in the acute phase.

It doesn't necessarily indicate a maladaptive coping style overall, but rather a specific response to a traumatic experience.

Choice D rationale:

Declaring disinterest in work after being denied a promotion exemplifies disengagement, a maladaptive coping mechanism involving withdrawal and apathy.

It reflects an inability to cope with disappointment or setbacks in a constructive way.

It can lead to social isolation, decreased motivation, and potentially depression or other mental health issues.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale for Choice A:

Diuretics are not routinely prescribed with lithium. While diuretics can increase the excretion of lithium, this can also lead to decreased lithium levels and potentially reduced effectiveness. Therefore, diuretics are generally only used in specific situations, such as when a client has lithium-induced edema or congestive heart failure. In such cases, the client's lithium levels would be closely monitored to ensure they remain within the therapeutic range.

Rationale for Choice B:

Weight gain is not a common manifestation of lithium toxicity. In fact, weight gain is a potential side effect of lithium therapy, but it is not typically associated with lithium levels reaching a toxic range. Other signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity include:

Tremor

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Confusion

Slurred speech

Ataxia

Seizures

Coma

Rationale for Choice C:

Monitoring lithium levels is essential to ensure that the client is receiving a therapeutic dose and to avoid toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that there is a small difference between the dose that is effective and the dose that is toxic. Regularly checking lithium levels allows the healthcare provider to adjust the dose as needed to maintain a safe and effective level.

The initial lithium level is typically checked within 3 to 5 days of starting the medication, and then periodically thereafter.

The frequency of monitoring may vary depending on the client's individual factors, such as age, kidney function, and other medications they are taking.

Rationale for Choice D:

Lithium is not typically discontinued after a specific period of time. It is often used as a long-term treatment for bipolar disorder to prevent the recurrence of manic and depressive episodes. The decision to discontinue lithium is made on a caseby-case basis, in consultation with the client and their healthcare provider.

A. Pseudoparkinsonism B. Acute dystonia C. Akathisia D. Tardive dyskinesias

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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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about a new prescription for lithium. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is taking haloperidol. The nurse observes that the client has developed a stooped posture and shuffling gait. The nurse should document these findings as which of the following extrapyramidal side effects of haloperidol?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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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?