A patient is admitted for treatment for persistent, severe ...

[penza]

A patient is admitted for treatment for persistent, severe anxiety. Which nursing diagno-sis would help effectively direct patient care?
 
  a. Disturbed sensory perception related to narrowed perceptual field
  b. Risk for injury related to closed perception
  c. Hopelessness related to total loss of control
  d. Risk for other-directed violence related to combative behavior

Question 2

A patient who was savagely attacked by a bear has no memory of the event. Which statement best explains the patient's inability to remember the attack?
 
  a. The woman lost consciousness and was not cognitively aware of what happened during the attack
  b. The brain has produced a chemical anemia that will repress the memories of the attack indefinitely.
  c. The patient is unconsciously using a defense mechanism to protect against the re-peated memory of the attack.
  d. It is a temporary suppression of the attack; her memory will return when she is physically and emotionally ready to handle the memories.

[trog]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
A narrowed perceptual field occurs with severe anxiety; therefore this diagnosis should be considered. Data are not present to support the other diagnoses.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Defense mechanisms are used unconsciously to protect us from threats to the physical, men-tal, and social aspects of ourselves. The memory of the event may or may not come back but this is not generally related to the patient's ability to handle the memories. Memory may be lost or impaired as a result of brain trauma but not as likely from a chemical alteration.