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 15-year-old presents with self-inflicted lacerations to her forearms. She states the cutting 'helps her feel better.' This behavior is BEST characterized as:
Answer: Non-suicidal self-injury used as an emotion regulation strategy
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is commonly used by adolescents as a maladaptive coping mechanism to regulate overwhelming emotions, not as a suicide attempt.
Which statement by a parent MOST suggests that a child's conversion disorder symptoms are being reinforced?
Answer: 'I carry her everywhere because she can't walk and I don't want her to fall.'
Carrying a child who has functional neurological symptoms reinforces illness behavior and secondary gain, which perpetuates conversion disorder.
A 9-year-old who experienced sexual abuse is brought to the ED. During the forensic exam, he suddenly becomes mute and stares blankly. The nurse recognizes this as:
Answer: A dissociative response to trauma triggers
Dissociation, including emotional numbing and blank staring during trauma-related examinations, is a protective psychological response to overwhelming stress.
When caring for a suicidal adolescent in the ED, which environmental safety measure is ESSENTIAL?
Answer: Removing all potentially harmful objects including IV tubing and gown strings
Environmental risk reduction by removing all potentially harmful objects is mandatory for suicidal patients undergoing psychiatric evaluation in the ED.
A caregiver reports that her 4-year-old has been having nightmares, refusing to sleep alone, and is very clingy since a recent car accident. The most appropriate nursing response is:
Answer: Refer the family for trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy evaluation
Persistent post-traumatic symptoms in young children warrant referral for trauma-focused therapy; early intervention improves outcomes.
Which factor MOST increases the risk of completed suicide in an adolescent presenting to the ED?
Answer: Previous suicide attempt
A prior suicide attempt is the single strongest predictor of completed suicide in adolescents.
A 13-year-old with anorexia nervosa presents in the ED with bradycardia and syncope. After medical stabilization, the priority psychosocial nursing intervention is:
Answer: Provide a compassionate, non-judgmental environment and involve the eating disorder team
A non-judgmental, supportive approach and multidisciplinary team involvement are essential to therapeutic engagement with patients with eating disorders.