Disorders & Diagnoses
What is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
Flat affect or social withdrawal.
What is a major side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline?
Anticholinergic effects (e.g., dry mouth, urinary retention).
What is the best therapeutic response to a patient expressing hopelessness?
“You seem really down. Would you like to talk more about it?”
What should the nurse do first when a patient reports hearing voices?
Ask what the voices are saying to assess risk.
What is the nurse's role in obtaining informed consent for a procedure?
Ensure the patient understands the procedure and voluntarily agrees.
Which disorder involves persistent, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
What dietary restriction must patients on MAOIs follow?
Avoid tyramine-rich foods to prevent hypertensive crisis.
Why should a nurse avoid giving advice to patients?
It disempowers patients and can damage the therapeutic relationship
Name two nursing interventions for a patient experiencing mania.
Reduce stimuli and set firm boundaries.
Define beneficence in healthcare.
The obligation to act in the patient’s best interest.
Which eating disorder is associated with recurrent episodes of binge eating without compensatory purging?
Binge Eating Disorder.
What is the black box warning for all antidepressants?
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts in adolescents and young adults.
What is the technique of restating, and why is it used?
Repeating what the patient says to clarify and show understanding.
What is a priority nursing intervention for a patient newly admitted with major depressive disorder?
Suicide risk assessment.
What must a nurse document when applying restraints?
Reason, type, time applied, assessments, and patient response.
Define the term "flight of ideas" and name the disorder it's commonly associated with.
Rapid topic changes in conversation; common in bipolar mania.
What are signs of lithium toxicity?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, confusion, seizures.
Give an example of using silence as a therapeutic technique.
Sitting quietly with a grieving patient to provide space for processing
What are the nurse’s responsibilities during ECT?
Monitor vital signs, ensure NPO status, and provide post-procedure orientation.
What rights are protected under the Patient Bill of Rights?
Right to privacy, respectful care, informed participation in treatment.
What are the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, with symptoms like restlessness and fatigue.
Name a long-acting injectable antipsychotic and its purpose.
Haloperidol decanoate; improves adherence in schizophrenia treatment.
What is the difference between summarizing and paraphrasing?
Summarizing reviews key points; paraphrasing restates the message in different words.
What is a key nursing action during a group therapy session with aggressive clients?
Set clear expectations and enforce group rules consistently.
What legal criteria justify an emergency psychiatric hold?
Imminent danger to self/others or gravely disabled due to mental illness.