Autism Spectrum Disorder
Which nursing action is most effective in improving the autistic patient's social skills?
Teaching the patient the appropriate time to feel shame versus joy Teaching the patient appropriate emotional responses helps the patient develop social skills.
Which example demonstrates the cognitive concept of "islands of genius" as seen in ASD?
A child who can recite the complete daily area train schedules. A child who is able to recite large amounts of insignificant data, such as train schedules, is exhibiting "islands of genius."
Which statement regarding ASD etiology and epidemiology is true?
Autism is more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism is three to four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
Which are behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Extreme resistance to change Children with ASD are very resistant to change or activities that occur outside of their regular schedules. Stereotypical repetitive speech Stereotypical repetitive speech, such as repeating a song's lyrics over and over, is a behavior associated with ASD. Fixation with particular objects Fixation with particular objects, such as a toy car and watching the wheels go round and round, is a behavior associated with ASD.
Which factors are most associated with the causes of ASD?
Genetic Genetic factors, such as Fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, have been associated with ASD. Metabolic Metabolic factors, such as oxidative stress and metabolic impairment, have been linked to ASD. Environmental Parental exposure to the chemicals thalidomide and valproic acid have been linked to increased risk of autism.
Which symptom in an infant may be most indicative of ASD?
Lack of eye contact Lack of eye contact, lack of facial expressions, and disinterest in others are signs of ASD in an infant.
The nurse informs an adolescent autistic patient that the use of cell phones is not permitted during the nursing assessment. Which social development skill is the nurse exhibiting?
Limit setting The nurse is exhibiting limit setting by asking the autistic patient not to use the cell phone.
Which type of treatment does the nurse facilitate for young children with ASD?
Referral to an early intervention program Young autistic children are typically referred to an early intervention program where they may receive care in nursery school, day treatment programs, and special education classes.
Which nursing diagnosis for the patient with ASD holds the highest priority for the nurse?
Risk for self-mutilation Risk for self-mutilation involves the autistic patient's safety and is of highest priority for the nurse.
A patient with ASD is demonstrating tantrums, self-injurious behavior, and aggression. Which medication would the nurse anticipate administering?
Risperidone Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is used to treat symptoms of tantrums, tics, self-injurious behavior, and aggression in patients with ASD.
Which is the priority nursing goal that is included in plan of care for the patient with autism?
Safety Maintaining the safety of the child with autism and his or her family is the priority nursing goal in developing the plan of care.
Which class of antidepressant is most successful in the treatment of ASD symptoms?
Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) SSRIs are the type of antidepressant that has been most successful in treating ASD symptoms of depression and anxiety. SSRIs have allowed ASD patients to gain more tolerance of new situations.
Which factors are important for the nurse to assess in the patient with ASD?
Signs of abuse Autistic patients are at high risk for abuse, so the nurse must carefully monitor the patient for signs of physical and emotional abuse. Bonding with parents Parents may have difficulty bonding with their autistic child, so it is important that the nurse assess the parent-child relationship. Medication side effects Most patients with ASD are prescribed antidepressants and/or atypical antipsychotics. It is important that the nurse closely monitor autistic patients for any medication side effects.
Which communication problems are common in patients with ASD?
Speaking in a monotone voice Patients with ASD may speak in a monotone voice with no inflection of emotion. Using a sing-song pitch and rhythm Using a sing-song pitch and rhythm instead of a normal speaking voice is common in patients with ASD. Repeating song lyrics out of context during a conversation Patients with ASD may repeat lyrics to commercials or songs during conversations when the content of these lyrics do not parallel the conversation's content.
The nurse teaches the parents of an autistic child how to implement structure in the home. Which is an example of structure by the parents?
Administering the child's medication every day after breakfast. Administering medications at the same time every day creates a consistent routine that creates a structured environment.
The nurse is providing care for a child with ASD. The nurse rewards the child for following directions with stickers of the child's favorite cartoon character. Which goal of the treatment plan does this action best support?
Encourage concepts of identity, body image, and self-esteem Patients with ASD often have difficulty with identity, body image, self-esteem, and self-awareness. When the nurse rewards the patient with stickers, this encourages the concept of self-esteem.
Which benefit have patients with ASD demonstrated after beginning medication therapy with an atypical antipsychotic?
Reduced harmful behaviors Patients with ASD have experienced a reduction in aggressive and harmful behaviors when taking an atypical antipsychotic.
Which family-oriented nursing diagnoses should the nurse include in the autistic patient's plan of care?
Self-care deficit Self-care deficit is an important nursing diagnosis for the family of an autistic child, because the family will often ignore their own needs in lieu of caring for their autistic child. Disabled parental role The parental role in a family with an autistic child is often compromised and even disabled.
