Psychosocial Emergencies Flashcards
7 cards from real CPEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Psychosocial Emergencies flashcards as text
A 14-year-old presents after ingesting 20 acetaminophen tablets. She states she 'just wanted to sleep.' Which initial nursing action is the priority?
Answer: Assess suicide intent using a validated tool such as the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
A structured suicide risk assessment using a validated tool is the priority to determine immediate safety needs and guide management.
Which behavior in a 10-year-old brought to the ED after a house fire is MOST consistent with acute stress disorder?
Answer: Repeatedly re-enacting the fire in play
Repetitive trauma re-enactment in play is a hallmark dissociative/intrusive symptom of acute stress disorder in school-age children.
A 7-year-old with autism spectrum disorder arrives in the ED in behavioral crisis, screaming and hitting staff. The FIRST intervention should be:
Answer: Place the child in a quiet, low-stimulation room
Reducing environmental sensory stimuli is the first non-pharmacological intervention for children with ASD in behavioral crisis.
During triage, a mother states her 5-year-old 'has not been the same' since witnessing domestic violence last month. The nurse recognizes this as a potential sign of:
Answer: Post-traumatic stress disorder
Behavioral change following a traumatic event such as witnessing domestic violence is a classic presentation of PTSD in young children.
A 16-year-old male with depression is being discharged after a suicidal ideation evaluation. Which discharge instruction is MOST important for lethal means reduction?
Answer: Ensure all firearms and medications are secured or removed from the home
Lethal means counseling, specifically securing or removing firearms and medications, is the most evidence-based strategy to reduce suicide risk at home.
A 3-year-old is brought in by a caregiver with bruises in various stages of healing. The child is withdrawn and does not make eye contact. The nurse should FIRST:
Answer: Document observations and notify the provider and social worker
Documenting objective findings and involving the multidisciplinary team (provider and social worker) is the appropriate first nursing action when child abuse is suspected.
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate de-escalation technique for an agitated 12-year-old in the ED?
Answer: Use open-ended questions and a calm, low tone while maintaining personal space
Verbal de-escalation using a calm tone, open-ended questions, and respecting personal space reduces agitation without escalating the situation.