Mental Health Nursing Flashcards

A patient with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. Which medication is most commonly used to prevent withdrawal seizures?

Answer: Lorazepam (a benzodiazepine)

Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, diazepam) are the standard treatment for alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens.

A nurse is using the CIWA-Ar scale. What is being assessed?

Answer: Severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms

The CIWA-Ar (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol) scale measures the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms to guide treatment.

A patient in the manic phase of bipolar I disorder is hyperverbal, going without sleep, and spending money recklessly. Which priority nursing diagnosis applies?

Answer: Risk for injury related to impaired judgment and hyperactivity

During a manic episode, impaired judgment and hyperactivity create significant safety risks, making 'risk for injury' the priority diagnosis.

A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention is most helpful?

Answer: Encourage deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing

Calm reassurance and guided slow breathing help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce panic symptoms.

A patient is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which symptom cluster is unique to PTSD?

Answer: Intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares related to the trauma

Intrusive re-experiencing symptoms (flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories of the trauma) are the hallmark of PTSD and distinguish it from other anxiety disorders.

A patient is prescribed clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Which lab value must be monitored regularly due to the risk of a life-threatening adverse effect?

Answer: White blood cell count (WBC)

Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis; regular WBC monitoring is mandatory through the REMS program.