Research, Hearing Loss and Depression

• This test questionnaire contains 100 questions to be answered on the answer sheet.

Research Methodologies

• Experimental research designs are best for determining cause-and-effect relationships.
• Qualitative data collection is often achieved through in-depth interviews.
• A hypothesis is a prediction made before conducting a study.
• A dependent variable is exemplified by a patient's heart rate after medication.
• The "t-test" is the best statistical test for comparing the means of two groups.

Hearing Loss

• Cerumen impaction/buildup is the most common cause of conductive hearing loss.
• Sensorineural hearing loss primarily affects the inner ear.
• Tinnitus is a key symptom of Meniere's disease.
• During usage instruction, it is important to start usage with shorter periods and gradually increase usage of hearing aids
• Sudden onset of tinnitus should prompt evaluation for acoustic neuroma.

Depression

• Insomnia is a key symptom of major depressive disorder.
• Serotonin is the neurotransmitter most closely associated with depression.
• For a patient reporting hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, implementing a suicide precaution protocol should have priority.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on the theory that thoughts and emotions are interconnected.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is most effective in treating major depression.

Schizophrenia

• Hallucinations are examples of positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
• Atypical antipsychotics are most commonly prescribed for schizophrenia.
• Akathisia may be indicated by restlessness, pacing, and facial grimacing after starting antipsychotic therapy.
• Delusions about the medication and side effects such as weight gain are reasons for medication non-compliance in patients with schizophrenia.
• A patient experiencing auditory hallucinations should be encouraged to describe the content of the voices.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Persistent worry is a common symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Benzodiazepines are an immediate pharmacologic treatment of choice for acute panic attacks is.
• The main goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is to identify and change maladaptive thought patterns
• Avoiding caffeine is a recommended lifestyle change for managing anxiety.
• SSRIs may take 4-6 weeks to have noticeable effects, which that education should include.

Bipolar Disorder

• Decreased need for sleep is characteristic of the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
• Lithium is typically the first-line treatment for managing manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
• Tremors and confusion can be expected in patients with a lithium level of 2.0 mEq/L
• Provide for patient to have a low-stimulation environment during a manic episode.
• Maintaining consistent sodium intake is an important dietary instruction for the patient on lithium.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Unwanted repetitive thoughts and behaviors are a key feature of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• The most effective therapy for OCD is Exposure and response prevention (ERP).
• Repeated handwashing is a typical compulsive behavior in OCD.
• Encourage the patient to only verbalize their feelings with OCD
• SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed medications for long-term management of OCD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Recurrent, involuntary flashbacks are a hallmark PTSD symptom.
• Avoidance describes a PTSD patient avoiding talking about a traumatic event.
• (CPT) Cognitive processing therapy is an effective therapy for PTSD.
• Insomnia is indicative of hyperarousal in PTSD.
• Prazosin may be prescribed to help manage nightmares in PTSD.

Research and Ethics

• The principle of autonomy is violated when participants are not fully informed about the nature of the study.
• An Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews and approves research studies for ethical concerns.
• Use of a convenience sampling method may affect the external validity of the study.
• Pearson’s correlation coefficient measures the strength of the relationship between two variables.
• The case study research method is most suitable for investigating a rare phenomenon.

Ocular Disorders

• Gradual blurring of vision is a symptom of cataracts.
• The Snellen chart is primarily used to assess visual acuity.
• As a result of trabecular meshwork channel blockage, damage occurs in the open-angle glaucoma eye disorder.
• Beta-blocker eye drops are first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma.
• A patient with macular degeneration is most likely to have difficulty reading.

ENT Clinic Issues

• The Rinne test compares bone conduction to air conduction to evaluate conductive hearing loss.
• Vertigo is suspected when a patient reports a spinning sensation and nausea.
• Semicircular canals are primarily responsible for balance.
• The nurse should assess sudden hearing loss in one ear.
• If a patient is suspected of having sensorineural hearing loss, the nurse should instruct them to speak slowly and clearly.

Visual Impairments

• There is high risk of of complete blindness for the patient with diabetic retinopathy
• A patient who has age-related macular degeneration should have high vitamin C intake in their diet.
• The best intervention to prevent vision deterioration in diabetic patients is by controlling blood sugar levels.
• The report of seeing flashing lights and floaters is most likely indicative that a patient is suffering from retinal detachment.
• A common age-related eye condition known as presbyopia results in not being able to focus on close objects.

Substance Abuse Disorder

• A hallmark symptom of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens.
• Methadone is the most effective pharmacological intervention for opioid withdrawal.
• Motivational interviewing focuses on exploring ambivalence.
• A patient in withdrawal from alcohol is at risk for seizures, and needs supportive treatment.
• The primary benefit of group therapy for substance use treatment is peer support and shared experiences.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• A characteristic feature of borderline personality disorder is the fear of abandonment.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is the most commonly used therapeutic approach.
• If a patient with borderline personality disorder exhibits self-harm behaviors, the nurse's immediate priority is to ensure the patient's physical safety.
• Setting firm, consistent boundaries are is the most effective nursing strategy in dealing with a patient exhibiting splitting.
• For a patient with borderline personality disorder, it is important to explain the essential consistency in rules and expectations.

Anorexia Nervosa

• Fear of gaining weight is the hallmark feature of anorexia nervosa.
• Hypokalemia is often present in anorexia nervosa.
• Electrolyte levels should be monitored on a priority basis in the nursing intervention for a patient with anorexia nervosa.
• Rapid reintroduction of nutrients is the cause of refeeding syndrome in anorexia nervosa.
• Explain the risks and set limits on physical activity, the best approach by a nurse in dealing with the patient with anorexia nervosa that insists on exercising excessively.

Major Depression

• Loss of interest in activities is a symptom most likely to be reported by a patient with major depression.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatment for major depressive disorder.
• Sexual dysfunction is a side effect commonly associated with SSRIs.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) primarily focuses on modifying negative thought patterns.
• An SSRI taking patient should be taught to monitor for signs of serotonin syndrome.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• A symptom characteristic for of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is persistent worry.
• Commonly used for the long-term management of GAD is the use of SSRIs medicine.
• With a GAD diagnosis, inform the patient that the Initial effects of a SSRI medicine may take 2-4 weeks.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective therapy for GAD.
• Regular physical exercise has been shown to be most helpful in managing GAD symptoms.

Schizophrenia (Cont.)

• Hallucinations are a positive symptom of schizophrenia.
• Atypical antipsychotics are a medication commonly prescribed for schizophrenia.
• The proper nursing intervention is to ask the patient to describe the voices when experiencing auditory hallucinations.
• Tardive dyskinesia is a potential side effect of antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia.
• Lack of insight about the illness and financials issues are the reasons that a schizophrenic patient is non-compliant with antipsychotic medication.