Question 1

A 9-year-old has been admitted to the hospital after "huffing" lighter fluid and is in a high euphoric state.For what should the nurse assess?

Accepted Answer

Inhaling hydrocarbons depresses the central nervous system,including respiratory rate and general sensorium.

Question 2

How does the nurse describe a person who is bulimic?

Accepted Answer

Bulimia is characterized by alternating binge eating and purge behavior.

Question 3

How is a gateway substance defined?

Accepted Answer

A gateway drug is a substance that creates a high that can lead to the use of stronger drugs.

Question 4

A mother is concerned because her adolescent son is always in trouble for fighting at school and always seems to be angry.She mentions that her husband drinks a bit.Which understanding will guide the nurse's response?

Accepted Answer

Early recognition of and intervention for children of alcoholics are paramount.This adolescent is using the coping pattern of acting-out behaviors to deal with the family situation.

Question 5

The nurse is answering phone calls at a local suicide prevention hotline.Which statement would be recognized as the greatest risk of suicide?

Accepted Answer

The risk of death increases when there is a definite plan of action,the means are readily available,and the person has few resources for help and support.

Question 6

What is an appropriate nursing intervention for a hospitalized child who is autistic?

Accepted Answer

During hospitalization,the nurse should provide a highly structured environment with few distractions for a child who is autistic.

Question 7

What is the most appropriate classroom intervention for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)for the school nurse to suggest?

Accepted Answer

The child with ADHD needs breaks between periods of work and study.

Question 8

The pediatric nurse listens to a 9-year-old child read to his 6-year-old roommate.What action by 9-year-old child leads the nurse to question possible dyslexia?

Accepted Answer

Dyslexics often transpose a word as they read; for example,the word is dog,but it appears to the dyslexic child as the word God.

Question 9

A 15-year-old boy was previously active in a band and saved money to buy a special guitar.What would a nurse assess as an early sign of depression in this boy?

Accepted Answer

A major depression is characterized by a prolonged behavioral change from baseline that interferes with school,family life,and age-specific activities,frequently signaled by giving prized possessions away.

Question 10

A 14-year-old girl with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)tells the nurse other adolescents tease her because she washes her hands many times during the school day.For what does this disorder put the adolescent at greater risk?

Accepted Answer

OCD is related to depression and other psychiatric disorders.Suicidal behavior is a high risk for adolescents with OCD.

Question 11

The nurse explains that use of stimulants will decrease hyperactivity in the autistic child.What is a negative aspect of stimulants?

Accepted Answer

Stimulants that decrease the hyperactivity in the autistic child also impair cognition and may increase the potential of self-injuring behavior.

Question 12

What would be the appropriate response to an adolescent who states,"This has been the worst day of my life"?

Accepted Answer

The nurse establishes a rapport with the adolescent by acknowledging his or her feelings and giving the adolescent full attention.

Question 13

A nurse is planning to speak with a parent support group about childhood autism.What will the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Failure to use eye contact and look at others,poor attention span,and poor orienting to one's name are significant signs of dysfunction by 1 year of age.

Question 14

An adolescent is brought to the emergency department after an automobile accident.When the nurse approaches the adolescent,he becomes combative.The nurse notes his speech is slurred and his gait is ataxic.What does the nurse suspect the adolescent has used?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral signs of alcohol ingestion include slurred speech,short attention span,drowsiness,combativeness,and violence.

Question 15

Which statement made by a parent of an adolescent with anorexia nervosa indicates an understanding of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a disturbed body image,which this parent correctly recognizes.

Question 16

A parent asks the nurse to describe what is meant by a "learning disability." Which is the nurse's most helpful response?

Accepted Answer

Learning disability is an educational term.Children with learning disabilities may have average to above-average intelligence,but they may experience difficulties in perception,language,comprehension,and conceptualization.

Question 17

The nurse asks,"Do your parents drink every day?" The adolescent suddenly shouts,"I'm not going to talk about that! It's none of your business,anyway! Leave me alone!" How does the nurse interpret the adolescent's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Discrediting parents threatens the child's security and creates anxiety.

Question 18

When the nurse is collecting a nursing history,an adolescent states that she has tried speed.For what does the nurse recognize this as the street name?

Accepted Answer

"Speed" is the street name for methamphetamine.

Question 19

How would the nurse identify a member of the child guidance team who is a medical doctor with special training in psychoanalytic theory?

Accepted Answer

The psychiatrist is a medical doctor; the psychoanalyst may be a medical doctor or a psychologist.The psychologist is not a medical doctor,and neither is the counselor.

Question 20

A young child on the pediatric unit cannot express himself well.What therapeutic intervention might the nurse implement that allows children to act out their feelings?

Accepted Answer

Play therapy allows a young child to act out with dolls or figures concerns that the child may be unable to adequately express verbally.

Quiz 33: The Child with an Emotional or Behavioral Condition