Author Question: A patient in the emergency department says, Voices say someone is stalking me. They want to kill me ... (Read 26 times)

notis · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient in the emergency department says, Voices say someone is stalking me. They want to kill me because I developed a cure for cancer. I have a knife and will stab anyone who is a threat.

Which aspects of the patient's mental health have the greatest and most immediate concern to the nurse? Select all that apply.

a. Happiness
b. Appraisal of reality
c. Control over behavior
d. Effectiveness in work
e. Healthy self-concept

Question 2

A category 5 tornado occurred in a community of 400 people resulting in destruction of many homes and businesses. In the 2 years after this disaster, 140 individuals were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Which term best applies to these newly diagnosed cases?

a. Prevalence
b. Co-morbidity
c. Incidence
d. Parity

Mochi · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B, C, E
The aspects of mental health of greatest concern are the patient's appraisal of and control over behavior. The appraisal of reality is inaccurate. There are auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution, and delusions of grandeur. In addition, the patient's control over behavior is tenuous, as evidenced by the plan to stab anyone who seems threatening. A healthy self-concept is lacking, as evidenced by the delusion of grandeur. Data are not present to suggest that the other aspects of mental health (happiness and effectiveness in work) are of immediate concern.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of mental disorders in a healthy population within a given period of time. Prevalence describes the total number of cases, new and existing, in a given population during a specific period of time, regardless of when they became ill. Parity refers to equivalence, and legislation required insurers that provide mental health coverage to offer annual and lifetime benefits at the same level provided for medical/surgical coverage. Co-morbidity refers to having more than one mental disorder at a time.