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 type of environment would be most suitable for a confused client?
A. Familiar
B. Variable
C. Challenging
D. Stimulating
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Familiar
The most appropriate environment for a confused client is a familiar one. A familiar environment provides security and safety, reducing stress for the confused client. Confused individuals struggle to adapt to constant changes, making a variable environment unsuitable. A challenging environment would likely increase anxiety and frustration in a confused client. Similarly, a stimulating environment could overwhelm the confused client, exacerbating their confusion.
Question 2
Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority when planning care for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter?
A. Self-care deficit
B. Functional incontinence
C. Fluid volume deficit
D. High risk for infection
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — High risk for infection
The correct answer is 'High risk for infection.' When caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter, the highest priority is to prevent infections, as these catheters are a significant source of infection. Options A and B, self-care deficit and functional incontinence, may be concerns but are not directly related to the indwelling catheter. Option C, fluid volume deficit, is not typically associated with the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter.
Question 3
Which type of toy would be most suitable for enhancing the development of a toddler-age client?
A. Clay
B. Rattle
C. Video games
D. Musical mobile
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Clay
The most suitable toy to recommend for enhancing the development of a toddler-age child is clay. Clay promotes creativity and fine motor skills in toddlers. A rattle is typically recommended for infants as it aids in sensory development. Video games, which are often battery-operated, are not suitable for toddlers due to potential negative effects on development. A musical mobile is more appropriate for infants as it can aid in soothing and sensory stimulation.
Question 4
Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include when teaching a client with limited mobility strategies to prevent venous thrombosis?
A. Perform cough and deep breathing exercises hourly.
B. Turn from side to side in bed at least every 2 hours.
C. Dorsiflex and plantarflex the feet 10 times each hour
D. Drink approximately 4 ounces of water every hour
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Dorsiflex and plantarflex the feet 10 times each hour
To reduce the risk of venous thrombosis, the nurse should instruct the client to perform dorsiflexion and plantar flexion exercises regularly. These exercises help promote venous return and prevent venous thrombus formation. Options A, B, and D are beneficial in managing other complications of immobility, such as atelectasis and pressure ulcers, but they are less effective in preventing venous thrombosis compared to dorsiflexion and plantar flexion exercises.
Question 5
By rolling contaminated gloves inside-out, the nurse is affecting which step in the chain of infection?
A. Mode of transmission
B. Portal of entry
C. Reservoir
D. Portal of exit
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Mode of transmission
When the nurse rolls contaminated gloves inside-out, they are manipulating the mode of transmission in the chain of infection. The gloves, which are contaminated, act as a vehicle for transferring pathogens from the reservoir's portal of exit to a potential portal of entry. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the action of rolling contaminated gloves does not directly relate to the portal of entry, reservoir, or portal of exit in the chain of infection.
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Question 6
Which of the following is an example of passive aggression?
A. Clenched fists
B. Yelling
C. Jealousy
D. Intimidation
Correct answer:
Passive aggression involves expressing negative feelings indirectly, such as through subtle actions or behaviors. While choices A, B, and D involve more direct and aggressive expressions of anger, jealousy is an example of passive aggression where negative emotions are subtly displayed without openly confronting the issue. Jealousy can manifest as resentment, envy, or possessiveness, and is a common form of passive aggression in interpersonal relationships.
A neonate born at 32 weeks' gestation and weighing 3 lb (1361 g) is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When would the nurse take the neonate's mother to visit the infant?
A. When the infant's condition has stabilized
B. When the infant is out of immediate danger
C. When the primary health care provider has provided written permission
D. When the mother is well enough to be taken to the NICU
Correct answer:
The mother should see her infant as soon as possible to acknowledge the reality of the birth and begin bonding. Delaying the visit may impede maternal-infant bonding. The timing of the mother's visit should be based on her physical and emotional readiness, not solely on the infant's condition or the need for written permission. The nurse can independently facilitate the mother's visit without requiring a prescription from the primary healthcare provider.
After a mastectomy or a hysterectomy, a client may feel incomplete as a woman. Which statement would alert the nurse to this feeling in a client who has undergone a total hysterectomy?
A. "I don't know who can help me during my recovery."
B. "I feel washed out; there isn't much left."
C. "I'm scared about the pain in recovery."
D. "I can't wait to get home; I so want to see my grandchild."
Correct answer:
The correct answer is "I feel washed out; there isn't much left." This statement suggests a feeling of emptiness or incompleteness after the surgical procedure. Concern about who can assist during recovery, fear of pain, or excitement to go home and see a grandchild are not indicative of feeling incomplete as a woman after a hysterectomy. These other statements focus on practical concerns, physical discomfort, and positive emotions, respectively.
A mild level of anxiety can be beneficial because it increases alertness and focuses attention. Physiological functions are actually amplified initially, not slowed, due to mild apprehension; however, prolonged anxiety can lead to decreased function due to exhaustion. Automatic behavioral responses and ego defense mechanisms may hinder an individual's awareness rather than enhancing it, making them less beneficial compared to increased alertness.
A mild level of anxiety can be beneficial because it increases alertness and focuses attention. Physiological functions are actually amplified initially, not slowed, due to mild apprehension; however, prolonged anxiety can lead to decreased function due to exhaustion. Automatic behavioral responses and ego defense mechanisms may hinder an individual's awareness rather than enhancing it, making them less beneficial compared to increased alertness.
Which action often triggers an episode of violence or aggression in a patient with a psychiatric diagnosis involving violent behavior?
A. Obtaining a history
B. Asking for input into care
C. Enforcing rules
D. Taking a walk
Correct answer:
Enforcing rules is often a trigger for patients with psychiatric diagnoses involving violent behavior. Limit-setting or denying patient demands can be perceived as control and intimidation, leading to aggressive responses. Nursing staff must respond calmly and professionally to prevent escalation. Avoiding such patients or matching their emotions can worsen the situation. Therefore, enforcing rules can provoke violent episodes in these patients.
An adolescent reports irregularity in menses. Her mother complains that her child often fears gaining weight, has poor caloric intake, and has a distorted self-image. Which could be the reason for irregular menses?
A. Bulimia
B. Anorexia
C. Orthorexia
D. Binge eating disorder
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Anorexia.' Anorexia is characterized by a lack of caloric intake motivated by a strong fear of gaining weight, leading to poor nutrition and potential irregular menses. Bulimia involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. Orthorexia is characterized by an obsession with eating only healthy or 'pure' foods. Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming large amounts of high-calorie food in a short period.
An adolescent reports irregularity in menses. Her mother complains that her child often fears gaining weight, has poor caloric intake, and has a distorted self-image. Which could be the reason for irregular menses?
A. Bulimia
B. Anorexia
C. Orthorexia
D. Binge eating disorder
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Anorexia.' Anorexia is characterized by a lack of caloric intake motivated by a strong fear of gaining weight, leading to poor nutrition and potential irregular menses. Bulimia involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. Orthorexia is characterized by an obsession with eating only healthy or 'pure' foods. Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming large amounts of high-calorie food in a short period.
A client says, 'The doctors lied about me. They said I murdered my mother. You killed her. She died before I was born.' Which psychotic feature is the client experiencing?
A. Ideas of grandeur
B. Confusing illusions
C. Persecutory delusions
D. Auditory hallucinations
Correct answer:
The client is experiencing persecutory delusions, as she believes that others are blaming her for negative actions. This is not about ideas of grandeur, which involve feelings of greatness or power. Confusing illusions refer to misinterpretation of stimuli, which is not present in this scenario. Auditory hallucinations involve hearing voices, which is not the case here. In this case, the client is delusional, but not hallucinating.
Which behavior is most typical for clients with borderline personality disorder?
A. Arrogant
B. Eccentric
C. Impulsive
D. Dependent
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Impulsive.' Clients with borderline personality disorder often exhibit impulsive, potentially self-damaging behaviors. Arrogance is more characteristic of narcissistic personality disorder, eccentric behavior aligns with schizotypal personality disorder, and dependent behavior is typical of dependent personality disorder. Therefore, the key feature of borderline personality disorder is impulsivity.
NCLEX-RN mental health practice questions, set 23 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.
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