Question 1

When assessing clients, a psychiatric nurse should understand that psychoanalytic theory is based on which underlying concept?

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theory is based on the understanding of the structure and dynamics of the personality, with a focus on examining unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This theory suggests that the resolution of past conflicts and experiences held in the unconscious can lead to symptom relief and personal growth.

Question 2

A father of a 5-year-old demeans and curses at his child for disobedience. In turn, when upset, the child uses swear words in kindergarten. A school nurse recognizes this behavior as unsuccessful completion of which stage of development according to Peplau?

Accepted Answer

According to Peplau's theory, the stage of "identifying oneself" occurs during the toddler and preschool years. It involves developing a sense of self and learning to differentiate oneself from others. The father's behavior towards his child may be hindering the child's ability to develop a positive self-identity, which may lead to the use of inappropriate language as a coping mechanism.

Question 3

When a mother brings her 9-month-old to daycare, the child smiles and reaches for the daycare caregiver. The nurse should determine that according to Mahler's developmental theory, this child's development is at which phase?

Accepted Answer

According to Mahler's developmental theory, the differentiation subphase of the separation-individuation phase occurs around 7-10 months when infants start to recognize the difference between themselves and their primary caregiver, showing interest in others and the environment, such as reaching for a caregiver.

Question 4

According to psychoanalytic theory, treatment of symptoms should involve which nursing action?

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, treatment of symptoms involves recognizing and discussing the client's use of ego defense mechanisms. This approach aims to bring unconscious conflicts and patterns to the surface and help the client develop insight and healthier coping mechanisms. Options A, B, and C are more aligned with other therapeutic approaches, such as behavioral, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

Question 5

Which underlying concept should a nurse associate with interpersonal theory when assessing clients?

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal theory emphasizes the importance of social processes, relationships, and the environment on the development and maintenance of individual personality and behavior. Therefore, a nurse should associate interpersonal theory with the effects of social processes on personality development when assessing clients. Option B relates to psychoanalytic theory, option C relates to cognitive-behavioral theory, and option D relates to biological theory.

Question 6

According to Erikson's developmental theory, when planning care for a 47-year-old client, which developmental task should a nurse identify as appropriate for this client?

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's developmental theory, the developmental task for middle-aged adults (ages 40-65) is to achieve established life goals and consider the welfare of future generations. This is known as the stage of Generativity vs. Stagnation.

Question 7

A nurse observes a 3-year-old client willingly sharing candy with a sibling. According to Peplau, which psychological stage of development should the nurse determine that this child has completed?

Accepted Answer

According to Peplau, the stage "Learning to delay satisfaction" involves developing the ability to wait and share, which is demonstrated by the child willingly sharing candy.

Question 8

A nurse is caring for a hospitalized client who is quarrelsome, opinionated, and has little regard for others. According to Sullivan's interpersonal theory, the nurse should associate the client's behaviors with a previous deficit in which stage of development?

Accepted Answer

According to Sullivan's interpersonal theory, an individual's early experiences with significant others can affect their behavior and relationships in later stages of development. If the client is quarrelsome, opinionated, and has little regard for others, this may suggest that they experienced a deficit in their early relationships with caregivers, such as a lack of emotional nurturance or inconsistent parenting. This deficit may have led to the development of a hostile or defensive interpersonal style that persists into adulthood. Childhood is the stage of development where significant others, such as caregivers, have the most influence on the individual's character formation.

Question 9

A nurse directs the client interaction and plans for interventions to achieve client goals. According to Peplau's framework for psychodynamic nursing, what therapeutic role is this nurse assuming?

Accepted Answer

The nurse assuming the role of directing client interaction and planning interventions is taking on the role of leader in Peplau's framework. The leader role involves actively directing the therapeutic process and helping the client work towards their goals.

Question 10

A 10-year-old child wins the science fair competition and is chosen as a cheerleader for the basketball team. A nurse should recognize that this child is in the process of successfully accomplishing which stage of Erikson's developmental theory?

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's developmental theory, the stage of industry versus inferiority occurs between the ages of 6 and 12. During this stage, children are focused on mastering new skills and feel a sense of accomplishment when they are successful. Winning the science fair competition and being chosen as a cheerleader would be examples of accomplishments that would contribute to a child's sense of industry.

Question 11

A client has flashbacks of sexual abuse by her uncle. She had not been aware of these memories until recently, when she became sexually active with her boyfriend. A nurse should identify this experience as which part of Sullivan's concept of the self-system?

Accepted Answer

The "not me" concept in Sullivan's self-system refers to experiences or aspects of oneself that are not integrated into the person's self-identity. In this case, the client's memories of sexual abuse by her uncle were repressed and not a part of her conscious identity until recently, when they resurfaced. These memories are part of the "not me" concept because they were not integrated into her self-identity before.

Question 12

A jilted college student is admitted to a hospital following a suicide attempt and states, "No one will ever love a loser like me." According to Erikson's theory of personality development, a nurse should recognize a deficit in which developmental stage?

Accepted Answer

The statement made by the student indicates a deficit in the stage of intimacy versus isolation, which occurs during young adulthood. This is the stage where individuals seek to form meaningful relationships and connections with others, and the student's belief that they are unlovable suggests a struggle with this stage.

Question 13

According to Freud, which statement should a nurse associate with predominance of the superego?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's theory of psychosexual development, the superego represents a person's internalized moral standards and values. Individuals with a predominant superego are highly moralistic and self-critical, and they strive to adhere to strict moral and ethical codes. In this case, the statement "I don't ever cheat on tests. It is wrong" is indicative of a strong superego, as the individual is guided by a strong sense of right and wrong.

Question 14

According to Peplau, a nurse who provides an abandoned child with parental guidance and praise following small accomplishments is serving which therapeutic role?

Accepted Answer

Peplau describes the role of surrogate as one who provides a substitute relationship for the patient that resembles a relationship with a significant other. In this scenario, the nurse is providing parental guidance and praise, which are typically provided by a child's parents. Therefore, the nurse is serving as a surrogate for the abandoned child.

Question 15

A married, 26-year-old client works as a schoolteacher. She and her husband have just had their first child. A nurse should recognize that this client is successfully accomplishing which stage of Erikson's developmental theory?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should recognize that a 26-year-old client who is married and has a child has successfully accomplished the intimacy versus isolation stage of Erikson's developmental theory.The intimacy versus isolation stage of young adulthood involves forming lasting relationships.Achievement of this task results in the capacity for mutual love and respect.

Question 16

A female complains that her husband only meets his sexual needs and never her needs. According to Freud, which personality structure should a nurse identify as predominantly driving the husband's actions?

Accepted Answer

The id is the personality structure that operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of basic impulses and needs, including sexual desires. Therefore, it is likely that the husband's actions are primarily driven by the id, which would explain his focus on fulfilling his own sexual needs without considering his partner's needs.

Question 17

A 12-year-old girl becomes hysterical every time she strikes out in softball, falls down when roller-skating, or loses when playing games. According to Peplau's interpersonal theory, in which stage of development should the nurse identify a need for improvement?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should identify that this client needs to improve in the "Developing skills in participation" stage of Peplau's interpersonal theory.Older children in this phase learn the skills of compromise,competition,and cooperation with others.

Question 18

A 1-month-old infant is left alone for extended periods, has little physical stimulation, and is malnourished. Based on this infant's history, in which phase of development according to Mahler's theory, should a nurse expect to see a potential deficit?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should expect that a 1-month-old infant who is left alone,has little physical stimulation,and is malnourished would not meet the autistic phase of development.The autistic phase of development usually occurs from birth to 1 month,at which time the infant's focus is on basic needs and comfort.

Question 19

A physically healthy, 35-year-old single client lives with parents who provide total financial support. According to Erikson's theory, which developmental task should a nurse assist the client to accomplish?

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory, the developmental task for a 35-year-old is to establish a career, personal relationships, and societal connections. Since the client is physically healthy and lives with parents who provide total financial support, their main focus may be on establishing meaningful personal relationships and a sense of identity outside of their family unit. A nurse can assist the client in exploring potential career paths and encouraging them to establish connections in their community to aid in their career and personal growth.

Question 20

A 6-year-old boy uses his father's flashlight to explore his 3-year-old sister's genitalia. According to Freud, in which stage of psychosocial development should a nurse identify this behavior as normal?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's psychosexual development theory, the phallic stage occurs from ages 3 to 6, during which time the focus of pleasure is on the genitals. The behavior described in the scenario is considered normal during this stage as children become curious about their own and others' genitalia. It is important for the nurse to provide age-appropriate education and counseling to the parents on how to respond to and manage this behavior.

Quiz 3: Theoretical Models of Personality Development