A nurse is caring for a client who has been brought into an emergency department of a large hospital. The client's family state that the client "took some kind of drugs." The client is dizzy, has recently vomited, and is experiencing paranoia, yelling, "Stay away from me! You are going to kill me!" The client alternates yelling with mumbling and gesturing. Their eyes are darting back and forth as they are talking to the wall. The nurse should suspect the client has used which of the following substances?
Anabolic steroids
Opioids
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
The Correct Answer is D
D. The client's symptoms, including paranoia, perceptual disturbances (such as seeing things that aren't there), erratic behavior, and disorientation, are consistent with the effects of hallucinogens. Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes.
A. Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone. They are primarily used to promote muscle growth and enhance athletic performance.
B Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone and morphine, as well as illegal drugs like heroin.
C. Stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can cause symptoms such as paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations, particularly at high doses or with chronic use. However, the client's symptoms of darting eyes, paranoia, yelling, mumbling, and gesturing are more suggestive of hallucinogen use rather than stimulant use.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B In Alzheimer's disease, cortical thinning typically begins in the temporal and parietal lobes of the brain, areas associated with memory, language, and higher cognitive functions. As the disease progresses, cortical thinning may extend to other regions of the brain, contributing to the worsening cognitive decline seen in affected individuals.
A. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) can result in various structural and functional changes in the brain, including cortical atrophy, but cortical thinning is not a specific hallmark of HIV infection-related dementia.
C. Prion diseases can lead to spongiform changes and neuronal loss in the brain, but cortical thinning is not typically described as a characteristic feature.
D. Chronic substance abuse, particularly alcohol and certain drugs, can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain, including cortical atrophy. However, cortical thinning is not specific to substance use disorder-related dementia and can occur in various other neurological conditions as well.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Late-onset schizophrenia typically presents with symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and social withdrawal. However, this does not differentiate it from typical schizophrenia.
B. Substance use, including cannabis use, is a known risk factor for the development of schizophrenia, particularly in individuals who are genetically predisposed to the disorder. However, cannabis use as a teenager alone does not necessarily indicate late-onset schizophrenia.
C. Paraphrenia or late onset schizophrenia generally occurs later in life and symptoms persist and intensify as the client ages. Schizophrenia is rarely diagnosed after the age of 40 and is considered late onset if diagnosed after the age of 40.
D. Family history of psychosis or schizophrenia is a significant risk factor for developing schizophrenia, including late-onset schizophrenia. However, having a family member who mirrors the client's behaviors of psychosis is not a specific finding indicative of late-onset schizophrenia.
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