Which patient would a nurse refer to partial hospitalization?
One who spent yesterday in the 24-hour supervised crisis care center and continues to be actively suicidal
One who is experiencing agoraphobia and panic episodes and who would benefit from psychoeducation for relaxation therapy
One who has a therapeutic lithium level and reports regularly for blood tests and clinic follow-up
One who states, “I’m not sure I can avoid using alcohol when my spouse goes to work every morning.”
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Active suicidality, linked to severe serotonin deficits, requires inpatient hospitalization for constant monitoring to ensure safety. Partial hospitalization is insufficient for acute risk, as it lacks 24-hour supervision, making this patient inappropriate for this less intensive care setting.
Choice B reason: Agoraphobia and panic episodes, driven by norepinephrine surges, benefit from partial hospitalization’s structured psychoeducation and therapy. Relaxation techniques reduce amygdala hyperactivity, supporting outpatient management with daily support, making this patient suitable for partial hospitalization’s intensive, non-residential treatment.
Choice C reason: Stable lithium levels indicate controlled bipolar disorder, not requiring partial hospitalization. Regular follow-up manages neurotransmitter balance, suitable for outpatient care. Partial hospitalization is for active symptoms, not stable patients, making this an incorrect referral choice.
Choice D reason: Alcohol use concerns suggest outpatient substance abuse programs, not partial hospitalization. While dopamine reward pathways are involved, partial hospitalization targets acute psychiatric symptoms, not substance issues alone, making this patient unsuitable for this level of care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Claiming all mental illnesses can be cured oversimplifies disorders like schizophrenia, which often involve chronic dopamine dysregulation in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system, requiring lifelong management. This approach ignores genetic predispositions and neurobiological complexities, potentially fostering false hope and stigma by implying recovery is universal, disregarding evidence of persistent symptoms in many cases.
Choice B reason: Highlighting creativity and freedom romanticizes mental illnesses, ignoring their debilitating effects. Disorders like bipolar disorder may show creativity in manic phases, but hypomania often impairs judgment and stability. Neuroimaging shows altered amygdala activity in such conditions, causing emotional dysregulation. This portrayal minimizes suffering and misrepresents the neurobiological basis, perpetuating misunderstanding and stigma.
Choice C reason: Correcting misperceptions educates about the neurobiological underpinnings of mental illnesses, such as serotonin imbalances in depression or GABA deficits in anxiety. By addressing myths, nurses promote understanding that these are medical conditions involving brain dysfunction, not personal failings. This fosters empathy, reduces stigma, and aligns with evidence-based approaches to mental health advocacy.
Choice D reason: Attributing most mental illnesses to substance use disorders is inaccurate. While substances can exacerbate symptoms, primary disorders like major depression involve genetic factors and altered neurotransmitter activity, such as reduced serotonin uptake. This oversimplification ignores distinct etiologies, risks misdiagnosis, and perpetuates stigma by blaming patients for their conditions, contrary to scientific evidence.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Asking about faith in stress assesses coping strategies, as faith can modulate stress responses via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, reducing cortisol levels. This explores psychological resilience, not just religious beliefs, aligning with holistic assessment of how patients manage stressors impacting mental health.
Choice B reason: Religious affiliation focuses on specific beliefs or denominations, not their role in stress management. The question targets coping, not affiliation details. Faith’s impact on stress involves neurobiological calming effects, making this option too narrow and incorrect for the assessment topic.
Choice C reason: Educational background is unrelated to faith’s role in stress. Coping involves psychological and neurobiological mechanisms, like serotonin modulation, not academic history. The question assesses emotional resilience, not education, making this option irrelevant to the described assessment focus.
Choice D reason: Culture includes broader societal norms, not specifically faith’s role in coping. While faith may be cultural, the question targets stress management, linked to neurobiological stress responses, not cultural identity. Coping strategies is the more precise assessment topic, making culture incorrect.
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