A fearful patient has an increased heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse suspects increased activity of which neurotransmitter?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Norepinephrine

Histamine

Serotonin

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal activity, promoting calm. In fear, the sympathetic nervous system activates, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, driven by excitatory neurotransmitters, not GABA, which would counteract these effects, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Norepinephrine, a catecholamine, activates the sympathetic nervous system during fear, increasing heart rate and blood pressure via the fight-or-flight response. Its heightened activity in stress aligns with the patient’s symptoms, making this the correct neurotransmitter choice.

Choice C reason: Histamine regulates arousal and allergic responses but is not primarily responsible for cardiovascular changes in fear. Its role in the brain is less direct than norepinephrine in driving sympathetic activation, making this choice incorrect for the symptoms described.

Choice D reason: Serotonin modulates mood and anxiety but does not directly cause acute cardiovascular changes like increased heart rate and blood pressure in fear. These are driven by norepinephrine’s sympathetic activation, making serotonin an incorrect choice for this scenario.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Arranging social services addresses the patient’s eviction, a social determinant of health impacting mental stability. This holistic approach supports recovery by ensuring housing stability, aligning with psychiatric nursing’s focus on comprehensive care, making this the correct choice.

Choice B reason: Contacting the landlord directly exceeds the nurse’s role and may violate privacy. It does not address the patient’s immediate housing needs or mental health, making it less appropriate than coordinating with social services for professional support.

Choice C reason: Questioning the medication reaction’s validity is inappropriate without evidence and distracts from addressing the eviction. It undermines trust and does not support discharge planning, making this choice irrelevant to the patient’s current needs.

Choice D reason: Delaying discharge without clinical justification risks unnecessary hospitalization. The eviction requires social support, not prolonged admission, as mental status improvement is not specified as a concern, making this choice incorrect.

A. Administer an as-needed dose of an antipsychotic drug B. Complete the plan of care as soon as possible C. Transfer the patient to another unit D. Document the staffing issue in the patient’s chart

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Administering an antipsychotic without a completed care plan risks inappropriate treatment, as the plan outlines specific needs and interventions. This could lead to adverse effects or mismanagement of the patient’s condition, violating evidence-based practice in psychiatric care, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Completing the care plan promptly ensures individualized, evidence-based interventions, critical for effective psychiatric treatment. It addresses the patient’s specific needs, guides therapy, and ensures safety, aligning with nursing standards and patient-centered care principles, making this the correct choice for prioritization.

Choice C reason: Transferring the patient to another unit does not address the immediate need for a care plan and may disrupt continuity of care. Staffing issues should be managed locally, and transfer is not a primary solution for incomplete planning, making this choice incorrect.

Choice D reason: Documenting staffing issues, while important for administrative purposes, does not directly address the patient’s immediate care needs. A completed care plan is critical for guiding treatment and ensuring safety, making this choice a lower priority compared to completing the plan.

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A fearful patient has an increased heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse suspects increased activity of which neurotransmitter?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient was hospitalized for 24 hours after a reaction to a psychotropic medication. While planning discharge, the nurse learned the patient received a notice of eviction immediately prior to admission. Select the nurse’s most appropriate action.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The plan of care for a patient is not completed within 24 hours of the patient’s admission due to the unit being short-staffed. Which action should the nurse prioritize?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

An adolescent hospitalized after a physical outburst tells the nurse, "I’m going to kill my father, but you can’t tell anyone." Select the nurse’s best response.

A nurse is caring for a patient with a mental health disorder. Which approach best supports therapeutic care?

A patient tells the nurse, "I don’t think I’ll ever get out of here." Select the nurse’s most therapeutic response.

Which individual diagnosed with a mental illness may require an emergency or involuntary admission?

Which action by a nurse indicates a breach of a patient’s right to privacy?

A nurse is caring for a group of clients in an acute mental health facility. Which of the following clients has the legal right to refuse treatment?

Which individual is demonstrating the highest level of resilience?

A nurse is caring for a patient with bipolar disorder who is in a manic phase and refuses to attend a scheduled group therapy session. Which response by the nurse best promotes therapeutic engagement?