The nurse is performing the admission assessment for a client with schizophrenia in an acute care inpatient facility. The nurse should identify which observed behavior is characteristic of schizophrenia?
Exhibits compulsive, ritualistic behaviors.
Responds with illogical answers to questions.
Admits to frequently thinking about committing suicide.
Describes times of depression followed by feelings of euphoria.
None
None
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Compulsive, ritualistic behaviors are characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder, not schizophrenia. Schizophrenia involves disorganized thinking, often manifesting as illogical responses. Ritualistic behaviors are less typical, making this incorrect for identifying a behavior characteristic of schizophrenia in an acute care setting.
Choice B reason: Illogical answers reflect disorganized thinking, a core symptom of schizophrenia, particularly in acute phases. This is due to impaired thought processes, a hallmark of the disorder, aligning with psychiatric diagnostic criteria. This behavior is characteristic and observable during admission assessment, making it the correct choice.
Choice C reason: Suicidal thoughts may occur in schizophrenia but are not specific to it, as they appear in many psychiatric conditions. Illogical responses are more characteristic of schizophrenia’s cognitive disorganization. This choice is less precise, making it incorrect for a defining schizophrenia behavior.
Choice D reason: Depression followed by euphoria suggests bipolar disorder, not schizophrenia. Schizophrenia involves persistent psychotic symptoms like disorganized thinking, not mood swings. Illogical answers better represent schizophrenia’s thought disorder, making this incorrect for a characteristic behavior in an acute care schizophrenia admission.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Cancer screening, anger, gastritis, and daily intake are not part of the CAGE questionnaire, which focuses on cut down, annoyance, guilt, and eye-opener. These factors are unrelated to the validated screening tool, making this incorrect for exploring alcohol use based on CAGE criteria.
Choice B reason: The CAGE questionnaire screens for alcohol dependence by assessing efforts to cut down, annoyance when questioned, guilt about drinking, and using alcohol as an eye-opener. These directly identify problematic drinking patterns, aligning with addiction screening evidence, making this the correct choice for in-depth exploration.
Choice C reason: Consumption, liver enzymes, and gastrointestinal issues are relevant to alcohol use but not part of the CAGE questionnaire. CAGE focuses on behavioral indicators like guilt and annoyance. This choice includes non-CAGE criteria, making it incorrect for the screening tool’s specific focus.
Choice D reason: Minimizing drinking and missing family events are not CAGE criteria, though guilt is. The full CAGE framework (cut down, annoyance, guilt, eye-opener) better captures alcohol dependence. This choice is incomplete and includes non-CAGE items, making it incorrect for CAGE-based exploration.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hydromorphone, an opioid, is used for pain, not delirium tremens (DTs), which requires benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms like tremors and seizures. Opioids may worsen respiratory depression in alcohol withdrawal, making this incorrect for treating DTs in this client with high alcohol levels.
Choice B reason: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, is the standard treatment for delirium tremens, as it reduces agitation, seizures, and autonomic instability in alcohol withdrawal. Its PRN use is appropriate for managing DTs symptoms, aligning with addiction medicine guidelines, making it the correct choice for this client.
Choice C reason: Prochlorperazine, an antiemetic, treats nausea but not DTs, which involves severe neurological and autonomic symptoms. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are needed to prevent seizures and calm withdrawal. This medication is inappropriate, making it incorrect for managing alcohol withdrawal complications.
Choice D reason: Chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic, may lower seizure threshold, worsening DTs. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are first-line for alcohol withdrawal to manage symptoms safely. Chlorpromazine is not indicated, making this incorrect for treating delirium tremens in a client with alcohol-related withdrawal.
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