GRIEVING

When assessing a patient for anxiety, the nurse determines that anxiety is a:

• Reaction triggered by a known stressor

• Response that is avoidable

• Universal experience

• Threat to the id

A patient expresses a sense of hopelessness. Which concern identified by the nurse is the priority?

• Risk for self-harm

• inability to cope

• powerlessness

• fatigue

Answer explanation

Risk for self-harm takes priority over the other three concerns because of the potential for suicide.

The nurse is assessing a patient who is fearful. Fear is most commonly experienced when the precipitating cause is:

• Life-threatening

• Unexpected

• Recurrent

• unknown

Answer explanation

Life-threatening events that intimidate one’s safety and security generally precipitate fear in most people.

What is the underlying basis of all the defense mechanisms?

• compensation

• suppression

• regression

• repression

Answer explanation

Repression is the basis of all defense mechanisms. All defense mechanisms contain an element of the need to unconsciously exclude upsetting or painful emotions, thoughts, or experiences.

The nurse identifies that a patient is mildly anxious. The nurse understands that when a patient is mildly anxious the patient may appear:

• anxiety

• fearful

• forgetful

• preoccupied

Which is the best way for the nurse to support patients’ self-esteem needs across the life span?

• Employing a positive mental attitude

• Providing a nonjudgmental environment

• Encouraging social interaction with others

• Supporting the use of defense mechanisms

Which situation identified by the nurse reflects the defense mechanism of displacement?

• A woman is very nice to her mother-in-law whom she secretly dislikes

• A man says that he is not so bad, so don’t believe what they say about him

• An adolescent puts a poor grade on a test out of her mind when at her

  after-school job

• An older man gets angry with friends after family members attempt to talk with

  him about his illness

The nurse is caring for several patients with emotional needs. What is the most common cause of anxiety that the nurse should consider when collecting information from these patients?

• Identifiable fears

• Unexpected events

• Threats to ego integrity

• Anticipated dependence

After being hospitalized for a surgical procedure, a patient who was impressed with the care received from the nurses decides to change careers and become a nurse. What is this an example of?

• fantasy

• projection

• identification

• intellectualization

A dying patient is withdrawn and depressed. Which nursing action is most therapeutic?

• Assisting the patient to focus on positive thoughts daily

• Explaining that the patient still can accomplish goals

• Accepting the patient’s behavioral adaptation

• Offering the patient advice when appropriate