Which receptor is blocked as a result of psychotropic drugs when a patient reports dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision?

Choice A rationale

Occasional sleeplessness and anxiety are common, transient responses to stress or life events and do not, in isolation, suggest a diagnosable mental illness. These symptoms are often within the normal spectrum of human emotional and physiological responses, reflecting coping mechanisms that do not necessarily constitute a pathological syndrome causing significant functional impairment.

Choice B rationale

The ability to differentiate between "as if" (e.g., imagination, metaphor) and "for real" (e.g., reality) demonstrates an intact reality testing capacity, which is a hallmark of mental health. Impaired reality testing, such as experiencing hallucinations or delusions, would be a much stronger indicator of a potential mental illness, particularly psychosis.

Choice C rationale

A consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood that persists over time and potentially impairs daily functioning is a cardinal symptom complex of Major Depressive Disorder. This constellation of persistent negative affect and cognitive distortion significantly deviates from typical emotional responses and suggests a pathological change in mood regulation and perception.

Choice D rationale

Experiencing difficulty with major life decisions is a normal, albeit stressful, part of the human experience. Indecisiveness can stem from various non-pathological factors, such as fear of commitment or evaluating complex variables. It only becomes indicative of mental illness if it is severe, pervasive, and accompanied by other clinical features, like profound anxiety or depression.

Choice A rationale

Placing a client on suicide precautions is an intervention (a safety measure) designed to prevent an attempt, not the priority outcome. The outcome is the measurable change in the client's status or behavior that demonstrates goal achievement. While precautions are essential for safety, the ultimate goal is the cessation of the life-threatening behavior itself.

Choice B rationale

Refrain from attempting suicide is the most direct and life-preserving priority outcome for a client with a nursing diagnosis of risk for self-directed violence: suicide. The immediate goal in this high-risk situation is the client's physical safety and survival, which is measurably achieved by the absence of suicidal behavior or gestures. All other goals are secondary to this primary safety objective.

Choice C rationale

Stating absence of feelings of powerlessness is a valuable intermediate or long-term outcome, as powerlessness is a contributing factor to suicidal ideation. However, it addresses the underlying etiology (related to) of the risk, not the life-threatening risk itself. Physical safety must take precedence over emotional or cognitive shifts in the immediate timeframe.

Choice D rationale

Attending a self-help group daily is a therapeutic intervention aimed at long-term coping and recovery, not the immediate priority outcome. While social support and engagement are crucial for preventing recurrence, they do not represent the primary, measurable, and immediate objective of protecting the client's life from imminent self-harm.