Chapter 20. Electroconvulsive Therapy
1. Electroconvulsive therapy is most commonly prescribed for which of the following?
a. Bipolar disorder, manic
b. Paranoid schizophrenia
c. Major depression
d. Obsessive-compulsive disorder correct answers ANS: C
2. Which of the following best describes the average number of ECT treatments given
and the timing of administration?
a. One treatment per month for 6 to 12 months
b. One treatment every other day, three times a week for a total of 6 to 12 treatments
c. One treatment three times per week for 6 to 12 months
d.One treatment every day for a total of 10 to 20 treatments correct answers ANS: B
3. Which of the following conditions increases the risk of adverse events associated with
ECT?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Increased intracranial pressure
b. Recent myocardial infarction
c. Severe underlying hypertension
d. Congestive heart failure
e. Breast cancer correct answers ANS: A, B, C, D
4. A patient has been ordered ECT and asks the nurse, "Exactly how does ECT work?"
Which of the following is the most accurate response by the nurse?
a. "I'm not allowed to tell you that because that would be informed consent."
b. "The exact mechanism is unknown, but there are several ways that ECT may have
antidepressant effects."
c. "The administration of a shock to the brain induces memory loss, which will make you
forget you are depressed."
d. "The neuroplasticity affected by seizure activity prevents further brain damage."
correct answers ANS: B
5. The most common side effects of ECT are:
a. Permanent memory loss and brain damage.
b. Fractured and dislocated bones.
c. Myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.
d. Temporary memory loss and confusion. correct answers ANS: D
, 6. Sam has a diagnosis of major depression. After an unsuccessful trial of
antidepressant medication, Sam's physician has hospitalized him for a course of ECT
treatments. Sam says to the nurse on admission, "I don't want to end up like McMurphy
in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest! I'm scared!" What is Sam's priority nursing
diagnosis at this time?
a. Anxiety related to deficient knowledge about ECT
b. Risk for injury related to risks associated with ECT
c. Deficient knowledge related to negative media presentation of ECT
d. Acute confusion related to side effects of ECT correct answers ANS: A
7. Sam, who has been hospitalized for ECT treatments, says to the nurse on admission,
"I don't want to end up like McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest! I'm scared!"
Which of the following statements would be most appropriate by the nurse in response
to Sam's expression of concern?
a. "I guarantee you won't end up like McMurphy, Sam."
b. "The doctor knows what he is doing. There's nothing to worry about."
c. "I know you are scared, Sam, and we're going to talk about what you can expect from
the therapy."
d. "I'm going to stay with you as long as you are scared." correct answers ANS: C
8. What is the priority nursing intervention before starting ECT therapy?
a. Take vital signs and record.
b. Have the patient void.
c. Administer succinylcholine.
d. Ensure that the consent form has been signed. correct answers ANS: D
9. Atropine sulfate is administered to a client receiving ECT for what purpose?
a. To alleviate anxiety
b. To decrease secretions
c. To relax muscles
d. As a short-acting anesthetic correct answers ANS: B
10. Succinylcholine is administered to a client receiving ECT for what purpose?
a. To alleviate anxiety
b. To decrease secretions
c. To relax muscles
d. As a short-acting anesthetic correct answers ANS: C
Bonus Questions correct answers
1. Electroconvulsive therapy is most commonly prescribed for which of the following?
a. Bipolar disorder, manic
b. Paranoid schizophrenia
c. Major depression
d. Obsessive-compulsive disorder correct answers ANS: C
2. Which of the following best describes the average number of ECT treatments given
and the timing of administration?
a. One treatment per month for 6 to 12 months
b. One treatment every other day, three times a week for a total of 6 to 12 treatments
c. One treatment three times per week for 6 to 12 months
d.One treatment every day for a total of 10 to 20 treatments correct answers ANS: B
3. Which of the following conditions increases the risk of adverse events associated with
ECT?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Increased intracranial pressure
b. Recent myocardial infarction
c. Severe underlying hypertension
d. Congestive heart failure
e. Breast cancer correct answers ANS: A, B, C, D
4. A patient has been ordered ECT and asks the nurse, "Exactly how does ECT work?"
Which of the following is the most accurate response by the nurse?
a. "I'm not allowed to tell you that because that would be informed consent."
b. "The exact mechanism is unknown, but there are several ways that ECT may have
antidepressant effects."
c. "The administration of a shock to the brain induces memory loss, which will make you
forget you are depressed."
d. "The neuroplasticity affected by seizure activity prevents further brain damage."
correct answers ANS: B
5. The most common side effects of ECT are:
a. Permanent memory loss and brain damage.
b. Fractured and dislocated bones.
c. Myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.
d. Temporary memory loss and confusion. correct answers ANS: D
, 6. Sam has a diagnosis of major depression. After an unsuccessful trial of
antidepressant medication, Sam's physician has hospitalized him for a course of ECT
treatments. Sam says to the nurse on admission, "I don't want to end up like McMurphy
in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest! I'm scared!" What is Sam's priority nursing
diagnosis at this time?
a. Anxiety related to deficient knowledge about ECT
b. Risk for injury related to risks associated with ECT
c. Deficient knowledge related to negative media presentation of ECT
d. Acute confusion related to side effects of ECT correct answers ANS: A
7. Sam, who has been hospitalized for ECT treatments, says to the nurse on admission,
"I don't want to end up like McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest! I'm scared!"
Which of the following statements would be most appropriate by the nurse in response
to Sam's expression of concern?
a. "I guarantee you won't end up like McMurphy, Sam."
b. "The doctor knows what he is doing. There's nothing to worry about."
c. "I know you are scared, Sam, and we're going to talk about what you can expect from
the therapy."
d. "I'm going to stay with you as long as you are scared." correct answers ANS: C
8. What is the priority nursing intervention before starting ECT therapy?
a. Take vital signs and record.
b. Have the patient void.
c. Administer succinylcholine.
d. Ensure that the consent form has been signed. correct answers ANS: D
9. Atropine sulfate is administered to a client receiving ECT for what purpose?
a. To alleviate anxiety
b. To decrease secretions
c. To relax muscles
d. As a short-acting anesthetic correct answers ANS: B
10. Succinylcholine is administered to a client receiving ECT for what purpose?
a. To alleviate anxiety
b. To decrease secretions
c. To relax muscles
d. As a short-acting anesthetic correct answers ANS: C
Bonus Questions correct answers
