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
Which characteristic would be a concern for the nurse when caring for a client with schizophrenia in the early phase of treatment?
A. Continual pacing
B. Suspicious feelings
C. Inability to socialize with others
D. Disturbed relationship with the family
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Suspicious feelings
In the early phase of treatment for a client with schizophrenia, the nurse needs to address the client's suspicious feelings to establish trust and create a therapeutic environment. Suspicious feelings can hinder the development of a positive nurse-client relationship. Continual pacing, while a symptom, can be managed by the nurse and does not directly impact the therapeutic relationship. Inability to socialize with others and a disturbed relationship with the family are important factors but are of lesser concern in the early treatment phase as compared to addressing suspicious feelings to build trust and rapport.
Question 2
When developing Jerry's plan of care, which of the following would NOT be helpful to include?
A. Limiting choices
B. Providing structure
C. Encouraging patient input
D. Ensuring availability of PRN medications
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Limiting choices
Limiting choices would not be helpful in Jerry's plan of care. Providing options, even if among limited choices, offers the patient a sense of independence rather than imposing control. Providing structure is crucial, especially in transitioning from a psychiatric to a medical-surgical unit. Encouraging patient input in identifying triggers and effective methods for managing aggressive impulses is essential for empowerment and individualized care. Ensuring the availability and prompt delivery of PRN medications gives the patient a sense of control and security, assuring access to necessary medication when needed.
Question 3
A client states that she is angry and feels rejected by her boyfriend. Which action would the nurse encourage?
A. Call the boyfriend to work things out.
B. Avoid confronting the boyfriend.
C. Date new people whenever possible.
D. Learn to constructively vent anger.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Learn to constructively vent anger.
The correct answer is to encourage the client to learn to constructively vent anger. Coping mechanisms, such as venting anger, can help the client address feelings of rejection. Calling the boyfriend to work things out is offering unsolicited advice and may not be effective in managing emotions. Avoiding confronting the boyfriend may reduce anxiety temporarily but will not assist in resolving the underlying issues. Encouraging the client to date new people whenever possible is not appropriate at this stage, as it is essential for the client to work through the current crisis before considering new relationships.
Question 4
Which of the following outcomes is most appropriate during the crisis stage of caring for a victim of domestic violence?
A. The client will verbalize community resources from which to seek shelter after discharge.
B. The client will write a plan to keep herself and her children safe.
C. The client will contact an attorney for help with pressing charges.
D. The client will be safe and receive treatment for injuries.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — The client will be safe and receive treatment for injuries.
During the crisis stage of caring for a victim of domestic violence, the immediate priority is ensuring the client's safety and providing treatment for any injuries sustained. This focuses on addressing the urgent physical and emotional needs of the victim. While options like verbalizing community resources or creating safety plans are important for long-term support, they are not the primary concerns during the crisis phase. Contacting an attorney for legal assistance, though vital in the future, is not the immediate priority during the crisis stage when the client's safety and health are at the forefront.
Question 5
A client admitted with a diagnosis of cervical cancer tells the nurse, 'I haven't had a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for more than 8 years. I probably wouldn't be in the hospital today if I'd had those tests more often.' Which response would the nurse provide?
A. ''Please tell me why you waited so long.''
B. 'You feel as though you've neglected your health.''
C. 'It's never too late to start taking care of yourself.''
D. 'Most women hate to have Pap smears done, but they're really important.''
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — 'You feel as though you've neglected your health.''
The correct response, ''You feel as though you've neglected your health,'' is appropriate as it indicates recognition of expressed feelings, encouraging verbalization. This response is nondirective and reflective. Choice A, asking the client why she waited so long, ignores the client's current emotional needs and may cut off communication. Choice C, stating that it is never too late to start taking care of her health, is judgmental as it implies that the client has been negligent. Choice D, although acknowledging the importance of Pap smears, fails to address the client's current emotional state and needs.
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Question 6
A client who is to undergo dilation and curettage and conization of the cervix for cancer appears tense and anxious. Which approach would the nurse use to support the client emotionally?
A. Explaining that these procedures are considered minor surgery
B. Asking whether something is troubling the client and whether she'd like to talk about it
C. Stating that the procedures are routine and asking what the client is really worried about
D. Explaining that everyone is fearful before the surgery even though there is little reason to worry
Correct answer:
The correct approach for the nurse to support the client emotionally is to ask whether something is troubling the client and if she would like to talk about it. This approach acknowledges the client's anxiety and encourages communication without dismissing her feelings. Option A, explaining that the procedures are minor surgery, may invalidate the client's emotions. Option C assumes the client is worried about something specific, which may not be the case, leading to miscommunication. Option D provides false reassurance and may hinder open communication by dismissing the client's feelings as unwarranted.
A client with invasive carcinoma of the bladder is scheduled for a cystectomy and an ileal conduit. The client expresses worries about the possibility of offensive odors associated with the urinary diversion. How would the nurse respond?
A. ''Tell me more about your concerns.''
B. ''Products are available to address this issue.''
C. ''This is a valid concern, and we can discuss ways to manage it.''
D. ''Many individuals who undergo this procedure have similar worries.''
Correct answer:
The response ''Tell me more about your concerns'' is open-ended, encouraging the client to express their worries freely. This approach fosters communication and shows empathy. Option B acknowledges the concern and offers a solution, demonstrating support and understanding. Option C validates the client's worry and suggests collaboration in finding solutions. Option D normalizes the concern but may not address the client's specific worries, making it less therapeutic than the other options. Overall, actively listening to the client's concerns and offering support are essential in providing holistic care.
A female adolescent has anorexia nervosa and is malnourished and severely underweight. Which statement indicates that she is experiencing secondary gains from her behavior?
A. "I'm huge; I'm as big as a house."
B. "I get straight A's in all my subjects."
C. "My mother keeps trying to get me to eat."
D. "My hair is beginning to fall out in clumps."
Correct answer:
The statement "My mother keeps trying to get me to eat" indicates that the adolescent is experiencing secondary gains from her behavior. This is because the behavior has garnered attention from her mother, providing a sense of power and control, which are considered secondary gains. The statement "I'm huge; I'm as big as a house" reflects a disturbed body perception and is not related to secondary gains. Getting straight A's in all subjects is an achievement but not a secondary gain related to anorexia nervosa. The hair falling out in clumps is a physical consequence of starvation, not a secondary gain.
Which thought process would the nurse document the mental health client is experiencing after the client says, 'The FBI is out to kill me'?
A. Hallucinations
B. Error in judgment
C. Delusion of persecution
D. Self-accusatory delusion
Correct answer:
The nurse would document that the client is experiencing a delusion of persecution. A delusion of persecution is a fixed and firm belief of being harassed, in danger, or at the mercy of others, as illustrated by 'The FBI is out to kill me.' Hallucinations are perceived experiences that occur without actual sensory stimulation. Error in judgment refers to poor decision-making, not a distortion of reality like a delusion. A self-accusatory delusion involves accepting blame for an act that was never committed or a feeling that was never acted on. Therefore, the correct choice is 'Delusion of persecution.'
Which approach would be most appropriate for the involved parent of a child diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy?
A. Confrontation
B. Open communication
C. Health teaching about childrearing
D. Validation of the child's physical status
Correct answer:
The most appropriate approach for the involved parent of a child diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy is open communication. Maintaining open communication is crucial in building a therapeutic nurse-client relationship. Confrontation may cause the parent to become defensive and hinder effective communication. Health teaching about childrearing may not be well-received at this point as the parent may not be ready for it. Validation of the child's physical status may inadvertently reinforce the parent's behavior by focusing solely on physical symptoms rather than addressing the underlying issues.
Which priority action would the nurse manager use to help the nurse who may be experiencing burnout?
A. Transfer the nurse to another unit in the facility.
B. Help the nurse choose a position on a low-stress unit.
C. Encourage the nurse to attend educational programs.
D. Help the nurse identify personal responses to job stress.
Correct answer:
The correct priority action for the nurse manager to help a nurse experiencing burnout is to assist the nurse in identifying personal responses to job stress. This involves recognizing work stressors in the environment and evaluating coping strategies to determine their effectiveness. While transferring the nurse to another unit could be a solution, the initial focus should be on self-awareness and coping strategies. Choosing a position on a low-stress unit and attending educational programs can be beneficial in reducing burnout, but they are not the primary steps to address burnout when it occurs.
Which therapeutic technique can the nurse use when an anxious client exhibits pressured and rambling speech?
A. Touch
B. Silence
C. Focusing
D. Summarizing
Correct answer:
Focusing is the appropriate therapeutic technique to use when an anxious client exhibits pressured and rambling speech. By focusing on one specific aspect, the intended meaning is easier to understand and helps the client stay on track. Touch is not recommended in this scenario as it can invade the client's personal space and potentially increase anxiety. Silence may allow the client to continue rambling without addressing the underlying concerns. Summarizing requires the identification and exploration of the client's concerns, which may be challenging when the speech is pressured and disorganized.
A client says, 'I hear a man speaking from the corner of the room. Do you hear him, too?' Which response is best?
A. What is he saying to you? Does it make any sense?
B. Yes, I hear him. What do you think he is saying?
C. No one is in the corner of the room. Can't you see that?
D. No, I don't hear him, but that must be upsetting for you.
Correct answer:
The best response is D: 'No, I don't hear him, but that must be upsetting for you.' This response acknowledges the client's experience without validating the hallucination. The nurse expresses empathy by acknowledging the client's feelings ('that must be upsetting for you'), showing understanding and support. Choice A focuses on the content of the hallucination, which may inadvertently reinforce the delusion. Choice B validates the hallucination by agreeing that the nurse also hears the man. Choice C denies the client's experience and can lead to further distress by invalidating their perception.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to a preschool-age client to prevent altered growth and development?
A. Trust
B. Empathy
C. Impulse control
D. Problem-solving
Correct answer:
Teaching a preschool-age child and their parents about the importance of impulse control is essential to prevent the risk of altered growth and development. Preschool-age children are at a stage where they are developing self-regulation skills, so teaching them to manage their impulses can help in their overall growth and development. Trust is a critical concept taught during infancy to foster secure attachments. Empathy is crucial for parents of toddlers to understand their child's emotions. Problem-solving skills are typically emphasized for school-age children to enhance cognitive development.
How is the secondary use of data from the 2000 census classification system utilized to address disparities in mental health care along racial-ethnic lines?
A. To provide culturally relevant care to the required ethnic group
B. To identify all racial and ethnic groups in the United States
C. To identify why there are disparities in the United States
D. To determine when and how the health care needs of the ethnic populations are being met
Correct answer:
The census classification system categorizes individuals based on racial and ethnic descriptions. Utilizing this data helps in identifying health disparities and assessing how the health care needs of ethnic populations are being addressed. Option A is incorrect because the primary focus is on analyzing healthcare needs met, not providing care. Option B is incorrect as the census does not encompass every single racial and ethnic group in the United States. Option C is incorrect as the census is not designed to investigate the reasons behind disparities, but rather to quantify and analyze them.
NCLEX-RN mental health practice questions, set 17 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.
Keep going past these 15 questions
Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.
