You choose the therapeutic response, the safety priority, and the cue that means the patient is getting worse. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the NCLEX-RN exam guide or more NCLEX-RN practice questions.
Five mental health questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
The parents of a child often try to persuade their preschooler to touch their pet dog to reduce the child's fear of dogs. Instead, the child's fears and anxiety increase. Which advice would the nurse suggest to help overcome their child's fear?
A. Ask the child to touch the dog's back gently.
B. Keep the child away from dogs for a few years.
C. Let the child watch other children playing with dogs.
D. Bring in a pet cat to familiarize the child with animals.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Let the child watch other children playing with dogs.
To help the child overcome their fear of dogs, the nurse should recommend letting the child watch other children playing with dogs. This approach allows the child to observe interactions with dogs in a safe environment, gradually building comfort and familiarity. Encouraging the child to touch the dog's back gently may increase fear and anxiety, as it could be overwhelming for the child. Keeping the child away from dogs for a few years does not address the fear directly and may not help the child overcome it. Bringing in a pet cat, while introducing the child to animals, does not specifically target the fear of dogs and may not effectively reduce the fear and anxiety associated with dogs.
Question 2
Which behavior by the client exhibits denial after a recent diagnosis?
A. Attempts to minimize the illness
B. Lacks an emotional response to the illness
C. Refuses to discuss the condition with the client's spouse
D. Expresses displeasure with the prescribed activity program
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Attempts to minimize the illness
The correct answer is 'Attempts to minimize the illness.' This behavior is a classic sign of denial, where the individual tries to downplay the seriousness of the illness to cope with it. By minimizing the illness, the client avoids facing the reality of the situation, which is characteristic of denial. Lacking an emotional response to the illness suggests suppression of emotions rather than denial. Refusing to discuss the condition with the spouse may stem from other issues like relationship strain or fear of causing distress, but it doesn't directly indicate denial. Expressing displeasure with the prescribed activity program typically reflects displaced anger, not denial of the illness.
Question 3
Which behavior by the client exhibits denial after a recent diagnosis?
A. Attempts to minimize the illness
B. Lacks an emotional response to the illness
C. Refuses to discuss the condition with the client's spouse
D. Expresses displeasure with the prescribed activity program
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Attempts to minimize the illness
The correct answer is 'Attempts to minimize the illness.' This behavior is a classic sign of denial, where the individual tries to downplay the seriousness of the illness to cope with it. By minimizing the illness, the client avoids facing the reality of the situation, which is characteristic of denial. Lacking an emotional response to the illness suggests suppression of emotions rather than denial. Refusing to discuss the condition with the spouse may stem from other issues like relationship strain or fear of causing distress, but it doesn't directly indicate denial. Expressing displeasure with the prescribed activity program typically reflects displaced anger, not denial of the illness.
Question 4
Which reaction toward the physical symptom would the nurse observe in a client with conversion disorder?
A. Anger
B. Apathy
C. Anxiety
D. Agitation
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Apathy
In conversion disorder, the nurse would observe apathy toward the physical symptom. The development of the symptom serves as an unconscious method of reducing anxiety. The symptom is accepted passively, known as 'la belle indifférence.' There is no anger observed as symptoms are passively accepted. Similarly, there is no direct anxiety related to the physical symptom, as the conflict is resolved through the symptom development. While many individuals might experience agitation and seek to identify the cause of physical symptoms, in conversion disorder, there is an unusual calmness or indifference towards the physical manifestation, indicating apathy rather than other emotional responses.
Question 5
After giving birth to her third child, a client tearfully says to the nurse, 'How much more can I give of myself?' Which principle would the nurse consider in the care of any new mother?
A. It is easier to adjust to the first child than to later ones.
B. Feeling anger and resentment toward a child is pathological.
C. Some parents experience feelings of being overwhelmed by multiple children.
D. Parents usually have inborn feelings of love and acceptance of their children.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Some parents experience feelings of being overwhelmed by multiple children.
A parent's feeling of being overwhelmed by multiple children is a normal response. It is vital to help parents realize this as a means of easing feelings of guilt and shame. The first child causes the greatest amount of adjustment in one's life. It is common for parents to feel anger and resentment toward their children at times due to the challenges of parenting. Stating that parents usually have inborn feelings of love and acceptance of their children is a false generalization and may not hold true for everyone. Therefore, the most appropriate principle for the nurse to consider in this situation is that some parents may experience feelings of being overwhelmed by multiple children.
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Question 6
An ambulatory client reports edema during the day in his feet and an ankle that disappears while sleeping at night. What is the most appropriate follow-up question for the nurse to ask?
A. Have you had a recent heart attack?
B. Do you become short of breath during your normal daily activities?
C. How many pillows do you use at night to sleep comfortably?
D. Do you smoke?
Correct answer:
The correct answer is asking about shortness of breath during normal daily activities because these symptoms suggest right-sided heart failure, leading to increased pressure in the systemic venous system. This pressure causes fluid to shift into the interstitial spaces, resulting in edema. In an ambulatory patient, lower extremities are typically affected first due to gravity. By asking about shortness of breath, the nurse can gather information to confirm the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance and fluid volume excess, both associated with right-sided heart failure. The other choices are less relevant in this context and do not directly address the client's presenting symptoms.
Which risk factor for suicide is considered the most lethal?
A. History of alcohol and drug abuse
B. Previous high-lethality suicide attempts
C. Recent withdrawal from friends
D. Disturbance of family dynamics
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Previous high-lethality suicide attempts.' This is the most lethal risk factor as it indicates that the individual has previously attempted suicide in a manner that could lead to death. This history increases the likelihood of future attempts. While substance abuse, like alcohol and drug use, is a significant risk factor for suicide, it is not considered the most lethal. Withdrawal from friends or social isolation can contribute to suicide risk but is not as directly deadly as high-lethality attempts. Disturbance of family dynamics can also be a stressor but does not represent the immediate lethality associated with a history of high-lethality suicide attempts.
Which of the following is a nursing intervention for a client who is experiencing an acute panic attack?
A. Encourage the client to sit down in a quiet environment
B. Allow the client to direct the situation
C. Try to focus the client on one aspect of care, such as regulating breathing patterns
D. Speak in a commanding tone of voice to get the client's attention
Correct answer:
When assisting a client with an acute panic attack, the primary goal is to help reduce their anxiety levels. Encouraging the client to focus on one controllable aspect, like regulating breathing patterns, can aid in calming them down. This intervention helps the client to regain control over their breathing, which can alleviate some of the symptoms associated with panic attacks. Options A and B are incorrect because allowing the client to direct the situation or sit down in a quiet environment may not be beneficial during an acute panic attack. Option D is inappropriate as speaking in a commanding tone can further escalate the client's anxiety rather than helping to calm them down.
The best way for a healthcare provider and a healthcare facility to control the effects of poor and disruptive patient behavior is to _________________.
A. prevent it
B. restrain the patient
C. medicate the patient
D. isolate the patient
Correct answer:
The most effective approach to managing poor and disruptive patient behavior is by preventing it proactively. This involves implementing strategies, communication techniques, and environmental modifications that address the underlying causes of the behavior. Restraint, medication, and isolation should only be used as a last resort when the patient or others are at risk of harm. Restraint and isolation are primarily used to ensure safety, while medication, especially when used solely to control behavior, can have adverse effects and is considered a measure of last resort. Therefore, prevention is crucial in promoting a therapeutic environment and fostering positive patient outcomes.
A female nurse is assessing a male patient of Arab descent who is admitted with complaints of severe headaches. It is most important for the nurse to intervene if she takes which action?
A. The nurse explains the 0 to 10 intensity pain scale.
B. The nurse asks the patient when the headaches started.
C. The nurse sits down at the bedside and closes the privacy curtain.
D. The nurse calls for a male nurse to bring a hospital gown to the room.
Correct answer:
In some Arab cultures, it is not considered appropriate for a male to be alone with a female who is not his spouse. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to respect the patient's cultural beliefs and privacy by ensuring that a female nurse is not alone with the male patient. Sitting down at the bedside and closing the privacy curtain could potentially lead to a situation where the nurse is alone with the patient, which goes against the patient's cultural norms. The other actions, such as explaining the pain scale, asking about the onset of headaches, and requesting a male nurse to bring a hospital gown, are all appropriate and do not conflict with the patient's cultural beliefs.
Which component of cultural competence is being demonstrated when the nurse motivates the immigrant to accept differences in the way a pregnant woman is cared for in her current residence?
A. Cultural desire
B. Cultural awareness
C. Cultural knowledge
D. Cultural encounters
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Cultural desire.' Cultural desire involves the nurse's motivation and commitment toward caring for individuals from diverse backgrounds. In this scenario, motivating the immigrant to accept differences in prenatal care reflects the nurse's genuine interest in providing culturally competent care. Cultural awareness involves self-examination of one's beliefs and biases. Cultural knowledge refers to understanding various cultural practices and beliefs. Cultural encounters focus on interactions across cultures to enhance communication and mutual understanding. Therefore, in this context, the nurse's actions align more closely with the concept of cultural desire.
A client who has been on hemodialysis for 2 years communicates in an angry, critical manner and does not adhere to the prescribed medications and diet. Which explanation for the client's behavior would be useful to consider in planning care?
A. An attempt to punish the nursing staff
B. A constructive method of accepting reality
C. A defense against underlying depression and fear
D. An effort to maintain life and to live it as fully as possible
Correct answer:
The client's angry, critical communication and non-adherence to treatment suggest underlying emotional struggles. The behavior is likely a defense mechanism against feelings of depression and fear. It is essential to consider that the client's actions are not intentionally aimed at punishing others but rather a manifestation of internal distress. Option A is incorrect as the behavior is not about punishing the nursing staff. Option B is incorrect because the behavior is not a constructive way of accepting reality but rather a maladaptive coping mechanism. Option D is incorrect as the behavior is not primarily driven by an effort to maintain life but rather by emotional distress.
Which implemented strategies would not be effective in preventing post-traumatic stress in the nursing staff?
A. Providing breaks to the staff whenever needed
B. Encouraging the staff to work for more than 12 hours per day
C. Encouraging the staff to encourage and support their coworkers
D. Asking the staff and managers to talk about their feelings with each other
Correct answer:
To prevent post-traumatic stress in the nursing staff, it is crucial to avoid overworking them. Encouraging staff to work for more than 12 hours per day can lead to burnout and increased stress levels, thus exacerbating post-traumatic stress. Providing breaks whenever needed is essential to ensure rest and rejuvenation during demanding shifts. Encouraging staff to support and uplift their coworkers can create a positive work environment, fostering resilience against stress. Additionally, promoting open communication by asking staff and managers to discuss their feelings can facilitate emotional processing and mutual support, ultimately reducing the risk of post-traumatic stress.
During her shift at the hospital, a nurse receives a stern reprimand from a physician over something over which she had no control. The nurse does not respond. When she returns home that evening, she sees her children's toys all over the floor, gets mad, and begins to yell at them. Which form of defense mechanism is this nurse using?
A. Symbolization
B. Suppression
C. Displacement
D. Projection
Correct answer:
Displacement is the process of redirecting feelings or impulses from one person to another. In this scenario, the nurse chose not to respond to the physician, but instead displaced her negative emotions onto her children, who are less threatening and more vulnerable. This defense mechanism allowed her to express her anger in a safer outlet. Symbolization involves representing unconscious feelings or impulses through symbols, not redirecting them. Suppression is the conscious effort to push unwanted thoughts or feelings out of awareness, not displacing them onto others. Projection involves attributing one's thoughts or emotions to someone else, which is not evident in this case.
The nurse develops a goal that makes a client feel as if they are engaging in a competition. Which type of motivation is the nurse using in this situation?
A. Power motivation
B. Affiliative motivation
C. Avoidance motivation
D. Achievement motivation
Correct answer:
The nurse is using power motivation in this situation. Power-motivated individuals tend to have assertive and aggressive behavior. By designing goals that make clients feel like they are in a competition, the nurse appeals to their need for power and accomplishment, even when they are competing against themselves. Affiliative motivation is characterized by nonassertive behavior and dependence on others, which is not applicable here. Avoidance motivation focuses on anxiety, fear of failure, and phobias, which are not relevant to the scenario. Achievement motivation does not involve aggressive behavior or the need for competition, making it an incorrect choice for this scenario.
NCLEX-RN mental health practice questions, set 12 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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