Question 1

The principle most useful to a nurse planning crisis intervention for any patient is that the patient

Accepted Answer

Disequilibrium is the only answer universally true for all patients in crisis. A crisis represents a struggle for equilibrium when problems seem unsolvable. Crisis does not reflect mental illness. Potential for self-violence or other-directed violence may or may not be a factor in crisis.

Question 2

Emergency response workers arrive in a community after a large-scale natural disaster. What is the workers' first action?

Accepted Answer

An ICS provides a common organizational structure facilitating an immediate response. It establishes a clear chain of command that supports the coordination of personnel and equipment at an event site. The incorrect responses describe actions that may or may not be taken by the ICS.

Question 3

A troubled adolescent pulled out a gun in a school cafeteria, fatally shot three people and injured many others. Hundreds of parents come to the school after hearing news reports. After police arrest the shooter, which action should occur next?

Accepted Answer

Chaos is likely among students and desperate parents. A directive approach is best. Once the scene is secure, creative solutions are needed. Creating zones by letters of the alphabet will assist anxious parents and their children to unite. Preventing parents from uniting with their children will further incite the situation.

Question 4

A nurse assesses a patient in crisis. Select the most appropriate question for the nurse to ask to assess this patient's situational support.

Accepted Answer

Only the answer focuses on situational support. The incorrect options focus on the patient's perception of the precipitating event.

Question 5

A team of nurses report to the community after a category 5 hurricane devastates many homes and businesses. The nurses provide emergency supplies of insulin to persons with diabetes and help transfer patients in skilled nursing facilities to sites that have electrical power. Which aspects of disaster management have these nurses fulfilled? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

This community has experienced a catastrophic event. There are five phases of the disaster management continuum. The nurses' activities applied to mitigation (attempts to limit a disaster's impact on human health and community function) and response (actual implementation of a disaster plan). Preparedness occurs before an event. Recovery actions focus on stabilizing the community and returning it to its previous status. Evaluation of the response efforts apply to the future.

Question 6

An adult comes to the crisis clinic after termination from a job of 15 years. The patient says, "I don't know what to do. How can I get another job? Who will pay the bills? How will I feed my family?" Which nursing diagnosis applies?

Accepted Answer

The patient describes feelings of lack of control over life events. No direct mention is made of hopelessness or chronic low self-esteem. The patient's family processes are not interrupted at this point.

Question 7

A nurse driving home after work comes upon a serious automobile accident. The driver gets out of the car with no apparent physical injuries. Which assessment findings would the nurse expect from the driver immediately after this event? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Immediate responses to crisis commonly include shock, numbness, denial, confusion, disorganization, difficulty with decision making, and physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tremors, profuse sweating, and dizziness associated with anxiety. Incontinence and long-term memory losses would not be expected.

Question 8

At the last contracted visit in the crisis intervention clinic, an adult says, "I've emerged from this a stronger person. You helped me get my life back in balance." The nurse responds, "I think we should have two more sessions to explore why your reactions were so intense." Which analysis applies?

Accepted Answer

Termination is indicated; however, the nurse's remark is clearly an invitation to work on other problems and prolong contact with the patient. The focus of crisis intervention is the problem that precipitated the crisis, not other issues. The scenario does not describe transference. The patient shows no need for continuing support. The scenario does not describe dependency needs.

Quiz 26: Crisis and Disaster