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 signs and symptoms would the nurse observe in a client with schizophrenia?
A. Traumatic flashbacks and hypervigilance
B. Depression and psychomotor retardation
C. Loosened associations and hallucinations
D. Ritualistic behavior and obsessive thinking
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Loosened associations and hallucinations
In clients with schizophrenia, the nurse would observe loosened associations and hallucinations. Loosened associations refer to disorganized thinking where thoughts are not logically connected. Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not based in reality. Traumatic flashbacks and hypervigilance are more indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression and psychomotor retardation are common in depression, not schizophrenia. Ritualistic behavior and obsessive thinking are typically seen in obsessive-compulsive disorders, not schizophrenia.
Question 2
What action would the nurse take for a 4-year-old child who is called to the operating room for a planned myringotomy?
A. Removing the child's undergarments
B. Placing the child's toys on the bedside table
C. Allowing the child to climb onto the stretcher
D. Having the parents accompany the child to the operating suite
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Having the parents accompany the child to the operating suite
The correct action is to have the parents accompany the child to the operating suite. Current practice encourages parents to stay with the child as long as possible to reduce stress related to a frightening experience. Removing the child's undergarments is usually not necessary for a myringotomy procedure. Placing the child's toys on the bedside table is important, especially a favorite one, for comfort until sedation is induced. Allowing the child to climb onto the stretcher may not be safe or appropriate as the child is too young to do so independently.
Question 3
The emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The father comments that this is the first occurrence and denies any family history of epilepsy. What is the best response by the nurse?
A. Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications.
B. The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy.
C. Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again.
D. Long-term treatment will prevent future seizures.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy.
The correct response is, 'The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy.' There are various potential causes for a childhood seizure, such as fever, central nervous system conditions, trauma, metabolic alterations, and idiopathic reasons. It's essential not to jump to conclusions about epilepsy based on one seizure. Options A, C, and D provide premature or inaccurate information. Option A may give false reassurance without proper evaluation, option C assumes one seizure guarantees no recurrence, and option D oversimplifies treatment outcomes.
Question 4
When performing a cultural assessment with a patient from a different culture, what action should the nurse take first?
A. Request an interpreter before interviewing the patient
B. Wait until a family member is available to help with the assessment
C. Ask the patient about any affiliation with a particular cultural group
D. Tell the patient what the nurse already knows about the patient's culture
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Wait until a family member is available to help with the assessment
When conducting a cultural assessment, the first step is to inquire if the patient has any affiliation with a specific cultural group. This helps the nurse understand the patient's background and beliefs. Requesting an interpreter before interviewing the patient may be necessary if language barriers exist. Waiting for a family member to assist with the assessment may delay the process and compromise patient confidentiality. Telling the patient what the nurse knows about their culture assumes knowledge and may lead to misunderstandings or inaccuracies.
Question 5
When performing a cultural assessment with a patient from a different culture, what action should the nurse take first?
A. Request an interpreter before interviewing the patient
B. Wait until a family member is available to help with the assessment
C. Ask the patient about any affiliation with a particular cultural group
D. Tell the patient what the nurse already knows about the patient's culture
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Wait until a family member is available to help with the assessment
When conducting a cultural assessment, the first step is to inquire if the patient has any affiliation with a specific cultural group. This helps the nurse understand the patient's background and beliefs. Requesting an interpreter before interviewing the patient may be necessary if language barriers exist. Waiting for a family member to assist with the assessment may delay the process and compromise patient confidentiality. Telling the patient what the nurse knows about their culture assumes knowledge and may lead to misunderstandings or inaccuracies.
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.
Stems and choices stay public so you can still reason. Correct answers and full rationales unlock with the rest of the bank.
Question 6
When bathing an uncircumcised boy older than 3 years, which action should the nurse take?
A. Remind the child to clean his genital area.
B. Defer perineal care because of the child's age.
C. Retract the foreskin gently to cleanse the penis
D. Ask the parents why the child is not circumcised
Correct answer:
When bathing an uncircumcised boy older than 3 years, it is essential to gently retract the foreskin to cleanse the penis. This helps in preventing the buildup of bacteria and maintaining good hygiene. Reminding the child to clean his genital area (Option A) may not be effective due to the child's cognitive development level. Perineal care should not be deferred (Option B) as it is necessary for maintaining hygiene at any age. Asking the parents why the child is not circumcised (Option D) is not relevant to the immediate care required during bathing.
In taking a client's history, the nurse asks about the stool characteristics. Which description should the nurse report to the healthcare provider as soon as possible?
A. Daily black, sticky stool
B. Daily dark brown stool
C. Firm brown stool every other day
D. Soft light brown stool twice a day
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Daily black, sticky stool.' Black sticky stool (melena) is indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious condition that requires immediate attention from the healthcare provider. Options B and D, 'Daily dark brown stool' and 'Soft light brown stool twice a day,' respectively, represent variations of normal stool characteristics and do not raise immediate concerns about the client's health. Option C, 'Firm brown stool every other day,' suggests constipation, which is of lesser concern and can be managed with interventions.
Which intervention should the nurse use for a client who hallucinates, yells, and curses throughout the day?
A. Ignore the client's behavior if the client is not harming anyone.
B. Isolate the client until the behavior decreases or stops.
C. Explain how the behavior affects other people on the unit.
D. Seek to understand what the behavior means to the client.
Correct answer:
When a client experiences hallucinations, yells, and curses, it is essential to seek to understand the underlying meaning of their behavior. All behavior has significance, and understanding the client's perspective can guide appropriate interventions. Ignoring the behavior may exacerbate the situation and isolating the client could lead to increased anxiety and further acting out. Explaining the impact on others is not helpful in this scenario as the client is not intentionally hallucinating; yelling and cursing are responses to the hallucinations.
The mother of a 5-month-old is being educated about her baby's nutrition by the nurse. Which statement by the mother indicates the need for further teaching?
A. ''I'm going to try feeding my baby some rice cereal.''
B. ''When he wakes at night for a bottle, I feed him.''
C. ''I dip his pacifier in honey so he'll take it.''
D. ''I keep formula in the refrigerator for 24 hours.''
Correct answer:
The correct answer is ''I dip his pacifier in honey so he'll take it.'' This statement indicates a need for further teaching because honey should be avoided in infants due to the risk of infant botulism. Honey may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can lead to serious illness in infants as they lack the necessary digestive enzymes to eliminate the spores. Feeding rice cereal, responding to night-time feedings, and storing formula in the refrigerator are appropriate practices for infant care, indicating understanding of the instructions.
What does the E in the acronym DELIRIUM represent in causes contributing to delirium?
A. EEG
B. EKG
C. Electrolytes
D. Echocardiogram
Correct answer:
The E in the acronym DELIRIUM stands for Electrolytes. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to delirium. The other letters in the acronym represent: D = Dementia; L = Lung, liver, heart, kidney, brain; I = Infection; R = Rx Drugs; I = Injury, Pain, Stress; U = Unfamiliar environment; M = Metabolic. It is crucial to differentiate delirium from dementia, as delirium is often reversible with treatment of underlying causes. Dementia should only be considered after ruling out delirium, as addressing the contributing factors may alleviate the delirium state.
Which source of stress would the nurse anticipate in a 5-year-old client?
A. Jealousy
B. Stubbornness
C. Procrastination
D. Companionship
Correct answer:
Procrastination, which refers to delaying completing chores or activities, is a common source of stress for 5-year-old clients. At this age, children may start experiencing stress related to the pressure of tasks or expectations. Jealousy and stubbornness are more typical sources of stress for 3- and 4-year-old clients who are still developing social and emotional skills. Companionship, on the other hand, is generally seen as a positive aspect in a child's life and is not typically a source of stress but rather a source of support and comfort.
Which source of stress would the nurse anticipate in a 5-year-old client?
A. Jealousy
B. Stubbornness
C. Procrastination
D. Companionship
Correct answer:
Procrastination, which refers to delaying completing chores or activities, is a common source of stress for 5-year-old clients. At this age, children may start experiencing stress related to the pressure of tasks or expectations. Jealousy and stubbornness are more typical sources of stress for 3- and 4-year-old clients who are still developing social and emotional skills. Companionship, on the other hand, is generally seen as a positive aspect in a child's life and is not typically a source of stress but rather a source of support and comfort.
When observing an infant lying quietly in the bassinet with eyes open wide, what action should the nurse take in response to the infant's behavior?
A. Brightening the lights in the room
B. Encouraging the mother to talk to her baby
C. Wrapping and then turning the infant to the side
D. Beginning physical and behavioral assessments
Correct answer:
When an infant is lying quietly in a bassinet with eyes open wide, it indicates a quiet, alert state. This state is optimal for infant stimulation and interaction. Bright lights can be disturbing to newborns and may disrupt the mother-infant interaction. Wrapping and turning the infant to the side is typically done for a sleeping infant. While physical and behavioral assessments are important, in this scenario, the priority is to encourage mother-infant bonding and communication, as it is a valuable opportunity for interaction and stimulation.
An increase in the neurotransmitter dopamine is associated with which of the following illnesses?
A. Schizophrenia
B. Depression
C. Alzheimer's disease
D. Anxiety
Correct answer:
An increase in the neurotransmitter dopamine is associated with schizophrenia. Dopamine dysregulation is linked to some symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. Depression (choice B) is more commonly associated with abnormalities in serotonin and norepinephrine. Alzheimer's disease (choice C) is primarily characterized by deficits in acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters. Anxiety disorders (choice D) are often linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA, rather than dopamine.
What psychodynamic process is suggested by a client calling the emergency department during a suicide attempt?
A. A cry for help
B. A need for attention
C. Ambivalence about dying
D. An inability to stick to a decision
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Ambivalence about dying.' When a client calls the emergency department during a suicide attempt, it suggests conflicting feelings about living and dying. This act can indicate an unconscious desire to be stopped from dying, showing ambivalence between the wish to die and the wish to live. It is not primarily a cry for attention or a need to punish others. The client's intention of suicide alongside seeking help demonstrates the struggle between life and death, making ambivalence the key psychodynamic process at play.
NCLEX-RN mental health practice questions, set 20 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the NCLEX-RN exam guide.
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.
