A nurse is caring for a patient with a mental health disorder. Which approach best supports therapeutic care?
Adopt a neutral attitude when providing care
Check on the patient throughout the day for brief interactions
Discuss the patient’s feelings with an authorized individual
Share personal mental health information with the patient
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: A neutral attitude in psychiatric nursing maintains professional boundaries and objectivity, preventing bias or emotional entanglement. This fosters a therapeutic environment, allowing patients to express feelings without judgment, aligning with principles of therapeutic communication and mental health care, making this the correct choice.
Choice B reason: Brief check-ins, while useful, may not provide the depth needed for therapeutic care in mental health settings. Consistent, meaningful engagement is more effective for building trust and addressing complex emotional needs, making this approach less optimal compared to maintaining neutrality.
Choice C reason: Discussing a patient’s feelings with another individual risks breaching confidentiality unless authorized by the patient or legally required. This violates ethical standards in mental health care, which prioritize privacy, making this approach non-therapeutic and incorrect for supporting patient care.
Choice D reason: Sharing personal mental health information blurs professional boundaries, potentially shifting focus from the patient’s needs to the nurse’s experiences. This undermines therapeutic communication and objectivity, risking patient trust and care quality, making this approach inappropriate and incorrect.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Listening to the patient’s problems conveys empathy and presence, key to perceived caring in psychiatric nursing. This fosters a therapeutic alliance, reducing feelings of isolation and enhancing trust, aligning with patient-centered care principles, making this the correct choice for perceived caring.
Choice B reason: Linking medication compliance to discharge may feel coercive, not caring. It focuses on outcomes rather than emotional support, failing to validate the patient’s feelings, which is critical for perceived caring in mental health settings, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C reason: Explaining the treatment plan and seeking input shows collaboration, which is therapeutic but less emotionally focused than listening. While patient-centered, it emphasizes planning over emotional connection, making it less indicative of perceived caring compared to attentive listening.
Choice D reason: Asking about juice preferences shows attention to detail but is task-oriented, not emotionally supportive. Caring is better demonstrated through emotional engagement, like listening, which addresses the patient’s psychological needs more directly, making this choice less relevant.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Weight gain and metabolic changes are side effects of clozapine, primarily due to its antihistaminic and serotonergic effects, not its dopaminergic action. Dopamine blockade is more associated with movement disorders, making this choice incorrect for teaching related to dopaminergic effects.
Choice B reason: Clozapine’s strong dopaminergic effect, particularly D2 receptor blockade, can cause extrapyramidal symptoms like tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder. Patient education must emphasize monitoring for abnormal movements, as these are significant risks in antipsychotic therapy, making this the correct choice.
Choice C reason: Infection risk, particularly agranulocytosis, is a serious clozapine side effect but is unrelated to its dopaminergic action. It stems from bone marrow suppression, requiring blood monitoring, not dopamine-related teaching, making this choice incorrect for the question’s focus.
Choice D reason: Improved mood is not a direct result of clozapine’s dopaminergic effect, which primarily addresses psychotic symptoms. Mood changes occur over weeks and involve multiple receptors, not just dopamine, making this choice incorrect for dopaminergic-focused teaching.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.