A 23-year-old patient in the clinic appears anxious. Her speech ...

[NClaborn]

A 23-year-old patient in the clinic appears anxious. Her speech is rapid, and she is fidgety and in constant motion. Which of these questions or statements would be most appropriate for the nurse to use in this situation to assess attention span?
 
  a. How do you usually feel? Is this normal behavior for you?
  b. I am going to say four words. In a few minutes, I will ask you to recall them.
  c. Describe the meaning of the phrase, 'Looking through rose-colored glasses.'
  d. Pick up the pencil in your left hand, move it to your right hand, and place it on the table.

Question 2

A 26-year-old woman was robbed and beaten a month ago. She is returning to the clinic today for a follow-up assessment. The nurse will want to ask her which one of these questions?
 
  a. How are things going with the trial?
  b. How are things going with your job?
  c. Tell me about your recent engagement
  d. Are you having any disturbing dreams?

[leahm14]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Attention span is evaluated by assessing the individual's ability to concentrate and complete a thought or task without wandering. Giving a series of directions to follow is one method used to assess attention span.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
In posttraumatic stress disorder, the person has been exposed to a traumatic event. The traumatic event is persistently reexperienced by recurrent and intrusive, distressing recollections of the event, including images, thoughts, or perceptions; recurrent distressing dreams of the event; and acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring.

[NClaborn]

Excellent

[okolip]

Gracias!