A mental health nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Obsession over a fictitious defect in physical appearance.
Constant worry about the undiagnosed presence of an illness.
Sudden unexplained loss of vision without a physical medical explanation.
Prior physical health followed by the need for two surgeries within the last three months.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Obsession over a fictitious defect in physical appearance is characteristic of body dysmorphic disorder, not generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder become preoccupied with an imagined or slight defect in their appearance, often to the point of significant distress and impairment in functioning.
They may engage in excessive grooming behaviors, repeatedly check their appearance in mirrors, or avoid social situations due to their appearance concerns.
While individuals with GAD may also experience concerns about their physical appearance, these concerns are typically not as severe or pervasive as those seen in body dysmorphic disorder.
Choice B rationale:
Constant worry about the undiagnosed presence of an illness is a hallmark feature of GAD.
Individuals with GAD often experience excessive worry about a variety of things, including health, finances, relationships, and work.
This worry is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension.
The worry is typically difficult to control and can significantly interfere with daily life.
Choice C rationale:
Sudden unexplained loss of vision without a physical medical explanation is not a common symptom of GAD. It may be indicative of a more serious medical condition, such as a stroke or a neurological disorder.
It is important to rule out any potential medical causes before attributing a symptom like this to GAD.
Choice D rationale:
Prior physical health followed by the need for two surgeries within the last three months may be a stressful life event that could contribute to the development of GAD.
However, it is not a specific symptom of GAD.
Many people experience stressful life events without developing GAD.
The presence of other symptoms, such as excessive worry and physical symptoms, is necessary for a diagnosis of GAD.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Anger is a common and expected response to trauma, including sexual assault. It can stem from various sources, including:
Feelings of violation and powerlessness: Survivors may feel intense anger towards the perpetrator for taking control of their bodies and lives.
Betrayal: If the assault was committed by someone they knew or trusted, survivors may feel intense anger towards that person for breaking their trust.
Frustration and injustice: Survivors may feel angry at the injustice of the situation, the lack of control they had, and the ongoing impact of the trauma.
Difficulty processing other emotions: Anger can sometimes mask other emotions that are difficult to deal with, such as fear, sadness, or guilt.
Anger can manifest in various ways, including:
Irritability and outbursts: Survivors may have a short temper, snap at others easily, or have difficulty controlling their anger. Aggression: In some cases, anger can lead to physical or verbal aggression towards others or self-harming behaviors.
Withdrawal and isolation: Some survivors may withdraw from social interactions and relationships to avoid potential triggers for their anger.
Substance abuse: Some survivors may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb their feelings or cope with their anger.
Choice B rationale:
Sleeping 12 hours or more each day can be a symptom of PTSD, but it is not a specific indicator of anger. It can also be a sign of depression, anxiety, or hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.
Choice C rationale:
PTSD can sometimes lead to an increased sense of detachment from others, rather than attachment. Survivors may feel emotionally numb, have difficulty trusting others, or withdraw from relationships.
Choice D rationale:
While some survivors of sexual assault may feel a need to talk about the event, it is not a universal symptom of PTSD. Some survivors may avoid talking about the event altogether due to the distress it causes.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The client’s reported behavior of using laxatives and inducing vomiting after eating can lead to a condition known as hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia is a condition characterized by low levels of magnesium in the blood. This condition can be caused by poor intake, excessive loss, or movement of magnesium from the blood into less accessible locations. The use of laxatives can lead to excessive loss of magnesium through increased bowel movements. Similarly, self-induced vomiting can also result in a loss of magnesium. Therefore, the client’s behavior puts them at risk for developing hypomagnesemia.
Choice B rationale:
Renal failure, also known as kidney failure, occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood. While the use of laxatives and self-induced vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can strain the kidneys, these behaviors are not directly associated with renal failure. Therefore, while it’s possible for the client to develop kidney problems, it’s less likely compared to hypomagnesemia.
Choice C rationale:
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. This condition can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue, and other symptoms. While severe electrolyte imbalances, such as those that might result from the use of laxatives and self-induced vomiting, can affect heart function, they would typically result in arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) rather than heart failure. Therefore, it’s less likely for the client to develop heart failure based on the behaviors described.
Choice D rationale:
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces and releases too much thyroid hormone. This condition can cause symptoms like rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and anxiety. The client’s behaviors of using laxatives and inducing vomiting after eating do not directly influence the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, it’s less likely for the client to develop hyperthyroidism based on the behaviors described.
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