An elderly patient is admitted with delirium secondary to a urinary tract infection. "The family asks whether the patient will recover?" What would be the nurses' best answer?

"Unfortunately, delirium is a progressively disabling disorder."

"The confusion will probably get better as we treat the infection.

The health care provider is the best person to answer your question."

"I will be glad to contact the chaplain to talk with you."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Delirium is usually acute and reversible, especially when caused by an underlying condition like a UTI.

B. Delirium in elderly patients is often secondary to an acute illness such as a urinary tract infection. Treatment of the underlying cause typically resolves the confusion, so this statement provides accurate and reassuring information to the family.

C. While the provider can give a formal prognosis, the nurse can provide evidence-based, general information about delirium recovery.

D. While supportive, this does not address the family’s question about recovery.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. This disorder is characterized by sudden, rapid, recurrent motor movements and vocal tics, not slow, writhing movements caused by long-term antipsychotic use.

B. This is a dangerous reduction in white blood cells, typically presenting with fever, sore throat, or infections, not abnormal involuntary movements.

C. Anticholinergic side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, not the repetitive, involuntary movements seen here.

D. This condition is a late-onset side effect of long-term use of antipsychotics, especially first-generation drugs like fluphenazine. It presents as grimacing, lip smacking, and slow, writhing movements of the neck and shoulders, consistent with the patient’s symptoms.

A. Try to stay hopeful. Things have a way of working out." B. "Are you having thoughts of suicide?" C. "Tell me more about what interested you before you became depressed." D. "I am not sure I understand what you are trying to say."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Offering platitudes can minimize the patient’s feelings and may shut down further disclosure.
B. Directly asking about suicidal thoughts is the most important and therapeutic response because the statement expresses hopelessness, a major risk factor for suicide. This question assesses immediate safety and guides next steps (ask about intent, plan, means; implement suicide precautions and notify the provider as indicated).
C. Exploring past interests can be therapeutic later, but it does not address the immediate safety concern suggested by the patient’s hopeless statement.
D. Saying you don’t understand is vague and avoids addressing the potential crisis; a direct, nonjudgmental assessment of suicidal ideation is required.

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An elderly patient is admitted with delirium secondary to a urinary tract infection. "The family asks whether the patient will recover?" What would be the nurses' best answer?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia has received fluphenazine decanoate twice a month for 3 years. The clinic nurse's notes that the patient grimaces and is constantly smacking his lips. The patient's neck and shoulders twist in a slow, snakelike motion. Which problem would the nurse suspect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A depressed patient says, "nothing matters anymore." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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