how would you answer these test questions??

Carolanne · Mar 9, 2004

I vote for the Buspar on question 1 (pt. has a standing prn order) and give the patient the mirror to see his colostomy on question 2 (he needs to work on acceptance of it).

twintoo · Mar 9, 2004

I was going to answer but see that Carolanne answered for me already! LOL Just wanted to agree with her!

Jen2 · Mar 9, 2004

I also agree with the above posters.

blkdawn · Mar 9, 2004

Granted I've only had two classes of psych so far, but we were instructed that drugs should be the last choice. Especially in this case since the anxiety is only moderate and not severe. Therefore, I'm going to go out on a limb with using imagery.

I agree with the second answer.

nurseshawna · Mar 9, 2004

i'm going to agree with blkdawn

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 9, 2004

I would give the patient with anxiety his drugs. Then he might be able to work on non-pharmacologic methods to help him manage his anxiety long term. When he is in the middle of distress, that's not a good time to work on those other therapies. Also, imagery is a therapy and should not be used unless it is officially part of the plan (i.e. prescribed). The question gave no reason to believe that imagery had been prescribed for this patient or was part of a standing order, protocol, etc. I wouldn't be using it indiscriminantly. Also, it might be considered out of the scope of nursing practice to prescribe such a treatment in this situation.

As far as the stoma person ... I would always assess the situation before I jumped in with an intervention -- epecially on a test, but always in real-life too. Before I chose an intervention, I would want to know the patient's feelings about the stoma, why he was relectant to participate in the care, etc. It may be that he is reluctant for reasons that have nothing to do with anything that a mirror could help.

llg

Carolanne · Mar 9, 2004

Granted I've only had two classes of psych so far, but we were instructed that drugs should be the last choice. Especially in this case since the anxiety is only moderate and not severe. Therefore, I'm going to go out on a limb with using imagery.
I agree with the second answer.

I agree, drugs should not be given out hastily, but the words that jumped out at me were moderate and shakiness. If it were mild anxiety, I would have opted for the imagry.

hrjqtpie · Mar 9, 2004

llg, I agree with what you said...that was exactly my rationale for those answers...hopefully that's what the teachers think when they're grading it too!!

RN Rotten Nurse · Mar 10, 2004

When 'assess' is a choice, ALWAYS choose 'assess' for the answer on a test.

deliverygirl99 · Mar 10, 2004

good afternoon everyone! I have a question about 2 questions that were just on my exam, and I'm not sure if I answered them correct.
1. A person with moderate anxiety (inattention, shakiness) on a psych floor...what would you do? a. give prn buspar b. use imagery c. stay with client at all times d. stay with client for 10 minute intervals
2. A person with a new colostomy is reluctant to care for stoma... a. disregard care for stoma b. give client mirror to view stoma c. assess patient's level of participation d. don't remember, but i know this one isn't it lol
We also had cooperative testing after we took the exam, and there were some questions about these 2.. we couldn't agree. Can someone please put my mind at ease...i know there isn't anything i can do now, i just want to know.
Thanks a bunch!
Stacey

Question 1

Not sure which answer they were looking for but Buspar isn't a drug that can be given PRN it takes 3 weeks to build up in the system and has to be given on a regular schedule. I would probably say use imagery.

Question 2

I would go with assessing level of participation. I personally don't like any of these answers but then the NCLEX people didn't ask me to write the questions!

Brickman · Mar 10, 2004

good afternoon everyone! I have a question about 2 questions that were just on my exam, and I'm not sure if I answered them correct.
1. A person with moderate anxiety (inattention, shakiness) on a psych floor...what would you do? a. give prn buspar b. use imagery c. stay with client at all times d. stay with client for 10 minute intervals
2. A person with a new colostomy is reluctant to care for stoma... a. disregard care for stoma b. give client mirror to view stoma c. assess patient's level of participation d. don't remember, but i know this one isn't it lol
We also had cooperative testing after we took the exam, and there were some questions about these 2.. we couldn't agree. Can someone please put my mind at ease...i know there isn't anything i can do now, i just want to know.
Thanks a bunch!
Stacey

Buspar is never prn! It takes weeks to reach theraputic leves. I would go with imagery if it was mild anxiety but for moderate out of these choices I would stay with the patient until anxiety is reduced. Now in the real world I think a dose of vitamin A(ativan) is in order.

Assess patient's level of participation. I remember something about this being a common problem with new stoma patients and part of the solution was teaching what the stoma will look like as it heals. Let's face it they are pretty scary looking when new.