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
What nonverbal action should the nurse implement to demonstrate active listening?
A. Sit facing the client.
B. Cross arms and legs.
C. Avoid eye contact.
D. Lean back in the chair.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Sit facing the client.
Active listening is effectively demonstrated through attentive verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. To convey active listening and show the client that the nurse is engaged and attentive, it is essential for the nurse to sit facing the client. This posture communicates openness and willingness to listen. Option B, crossing arms and legs, creates a barrier and can signal defensiveness or disinterest, making it an incorrect choice. Option C, avoiding eye contact, hinders the establishment of a connection and can convey disengagement. Option D, leaning back in the chair, may give the impression of disinterest or lack of engagement. Therefore, maintaining eye contact and sitting facing the client are crucial nonverbal actions to exhibit active listening and promote effective therapeutic communication.
Question 2
A health care provider discusses with a client the need for an abdominoperineal resection and a colostomy. After the health care provider leaves the room, the client tells the nurse about being relieved that only minor surgery is necessary. Which psychological process explains this client's reaction?
A. Reflection
B. Regression
C. Repudiation
D. Reconciliation
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Repudiation
The client's reaction of believing that only minor surgery is necessary when faced with the need for an abdominoperineal resection and a colostomy is an example of repudiation. Repudiation involves a refusal to acknowledge anticipated loss as a defense mechanism against the overwhelming stress of illness. The client is psychologically denying the seriousness of the situation.
The other choices are incorrect because:
- Reflection (Choice A) does not apply since the client is not contemplating the issues of the situation.
- Regression (Choice B) is not demonstrated as the client's behavior does not indicate reverting to an earlier stage of development.
- Reconciliation (Choice D) is not applicable as the client has not made a realistic adjustment to the illness but rather is in denial of its severity.
Question 3
Which intervention would the nurse use to provide emotional support for a resident in a nursing home who recently immigrated from another country?
A. Offer choices consistent with the resident's heritage.
B. Assist the resident in adjusting to the nursing home culture.
C. Ensure that the resident is treated respectfully like the other residents.
D. Correct any misconceptions the resident may have about appropriate health practices.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Offer choices consistent with the resident's heritage.
When providing emotional support to a resident in a nursing home who recently immigrated from another country, it is essential for the nurse to offer choices that align with the resident's heritage. This approach respects the resident's cultural beliefs and practices, promoting a sense of familiarity and comfort. Assisting the resident in adjusting to the nursing home culture is important but may not address the specific emotional support needed. While ensuring that the resident is treated respectfully is crucial, offering choices consistent with the resident's heritage goes a step further by acknowledging and valuing the resident's cultural background. Correcting any misconceptions about health practices is essential, but in this context, emotional support through cultural sensitivity takes precedence.
Question 4
When attempting to incorporate the Latino client's cultural background into the plan of care, which consideration is the most important?
A. Socioeconomic considerations regarding hospitalization
B. The meaning and attention the client places on the future
C. The client's need to control care to ensure desired outcomes
D. Inclusion of the family in the plan of care with the client's permission
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Inclusion of the family in the plan of care with the client's permission
The most important consideration when incorporating the Latino client's cultural background into the plan of care is the inclusion of the family in the care plan with the client's permission. In Latino cultures, family plays a vital role, and there is a strong emphasis on family support during challenging times. This support can positively impact the client's health outcomes and overall well-being. Socioeconomic status, although relevant, does not carry more weight than usual in healthcare decisions. Latino clients typically focus on the present rather than the future, and they often attribute outcomes to external factors like fate or divine intervention. While the client's need for control is important, involving the family aligns more closely with the cultural values and preferences of Latino clients.
Question 5
A client who is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is obviously upset and asks, 'Am I going to die?' Which response would the nurse make?
A. Most individuals with your disease live a normal life span.
B. Is your family here? I would like to explain your disease to all of you.
C. The prognosis varies, as most individuals have remissions and exacerbations.
D. Why don't you speak with your health care provider to get more details?
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — The prognosis varies, as most individuals have remissions and exacerbations.
The most appropriate response to the client's question regarding their prognosis is to acknowledge the variable nature of multiple sclerosis by stating that 'The prognosis varies, as most individuals have remissions and exacerbations.' This response provides realistic information while offering some hope. Choice A ('Most individuals with your disease live a normal life span.') gives false reassurance as repeated exacerbations may affect life span. Choice B ('Is your family here? I would like to explain your disease to all of you.') does not directly address the client's question and involves the family unnecessarily. Choice D ('Why don't you speak with your health care provider to get more details?') deflects the responsibility and does not address the client's immediate concerns about their prognosis.
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Question 6
Which of the following individuals is at the highest risk of suicide?
A. An 80-year-old man who lost his wife last year
B. A 36-year-old woman whose former neighbor committed suicide
C. A 40-year-old married businessman
D. A 46-year-old former alcoholic who has been sober for 12 years
Correct answer:
The correct answer is an 80-year-old man who lost his wife last year. Certain factors increase the risk of suicide, such as recent loss of a loved one, in this case, the man's wife. The elderly are a high-risk group due to factors like social isolation, physical health issues, and bereavement. While experiencing a loss can affect anyone, the combination of age, loss of a spouse, and the associated emotional impact elevates the risk significantly. The other choices are not at the highest risk of suicide. A former alcoholic who has been sober for 12 years has taken steps towards recovery, reducing the immediate risk. A 40-year-old married businessman and a 36-year-old woman whose former neighbor committed suicide do not have the same level of immediate risk as the elderly man who recently lost his wife.
The client is in the maintenance stage based on the transtheoretical model of health behavior change. Which stage is the client in?
A. Action
B. Preparation
C. Maintenance
D. Contemplation
Correct answer:
The client is in the maintenance stage of human behavior change. During this stage, the client has successfully incorporated the changes into their lifestyle. The maintenance stage typically begins 6 months after the action stage and continues indefinitely. The action stage lasts for 6 months from when the client initially incorporates the changes. In the preparation stage, the client starts realizing that the benefits of change outweigh the disadvantages and starts making small changes to prepare for major changes in the following month. The contemplation stage involves the client considering whether to make changes in the next 6 months. Therefore, in this scenario, the client's consistent adherence to the diet and exercise program for 8 months places them in the maintenance stage of behavior change.
At a senior citizens meeting, a healthcare professional talks with a client who has Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client during the conversation is most predictive of a potential for impaired skin integrity?
A. ''I give myself insulin injections in my thighs.''
B. ''Sometimes when I put my shoes on, I don't know where my toes are.''
C. ''Here are my glucose readings that I noted on my calendar.''
D. ''If I bathe more than once a week, my skin feels too dry.''
Correct answer:
The correct answer is when the client states, ''Sometimes when I put my shoes on, I don't know where my toes are.'' This statement indicates peripheral neuropathy, which can lead to a lack of sensation in the lower extremities. When clients are unable to feel pressure or pain in their feet, they are at a high risk for skin impairment, such as cuts, wounds, or ulcers. Option A is not directly related to impaired skin integrity, as self-administering insulin in the thighs does not pose a direct risk to skin integrity. Option C shows good glucose monitoring, which is important but does not directly indicate impaired skin integrity. Option D suggests dry skin due to infrequent bathing, which is more related to general skin care and not as predictive of impaired skin integrity as the statement in Option B.
The client is a 35-year-old multiparous individual scheduled for a tubal ligation. The nurse assesses the client's emotional response to the planned procedure. Which factor in the client's history will contribute to the healthy resolution of any emotional problem associated with sterilization?
A. Belief that the surgery will relieve her monthly dysmenorrhea
B. Knowledge that her partner does not want to have any more children
C. Feeling that her family is complete and she now has the children she planned for
D. Recovery from her previous complicated birth and a desire to avoid another birth
Correct answer:
The correct answer is feeling that her family is complete and she now has the children she planned for. Many couples in their 30s who feel that their families are complete choose sterilization as their method of contraception. Sterilization by means of tubal ligation should not be expected to have an effect on dysmenorrhea. The decision to undergo sterilization should be the individual's own choice and should not be influenced by others, including partners. Decisions regarding sterilization should ideally be made when the individual is not under stress, such as after recovery from a previous complicated birth. Therefore, the key factor contributing to a healthy resolution of emotional issues related to sterilization is the feeling of family completeness and achieving the planned number of children.
Which of the following mental health situations is considered a psychiatric emergency?
A. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
B. Depression with melancholic features
C. Major depressive episode with psychotic features
D. Bipolar depression
Correct answer:
A major depressive episode with psychotic features is considered a psychiatric emergency because it poses a significant risk to the individual's safety. Psychotic features in depression can include hallucinations, delusions, or other severe symptoms that require immediate intervention. While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression with melancholic features are serious conditions, they do not inherently represent an acute emergency that necessitates immediate hospitalization. Bipolar depression, although severe, does not inherently involve psychotic symptoms that would classify it as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention. It's crucial to recognize the urgency and severity of major depressive episodes with psychotic features to ensure appropriate and timely treatment.
The nurse assesses a 2-year-old who is admitted for dehydration and finds that the peripheral IV rate by gravity has slowed, even though the venous access site is healthy. What should the nurse do next?
A. Apply a warm compress proximal to the site.
B. Check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole.
C. Adjust the tape that stabilizes the needle.
D. Change the IV solution bag.
Correct answer:
When a nurse assesses a slowed IV rate by gravity with a healthy venous access site in a 2-year-old admitted for dehydration, the next step would be to check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole. This action ensures that the IV fluid can flow freely and reach the patient at the correct rate. Applying a warm compress proximal to the site (Choice A) is not indicated in this situation as it does not address the underlying issue of a slowed IV rate due to mechanical factors. Adjusting the tape that stabilizes the needle (Choice C) or changing the IV solution bag (Choice D) are not the priority actions in this case. These choices do not address the issue of a slowed IV rate caused by kinks in the tubing or the height of the IV pole, which are more likely reasons for the problem observed.
An older Asian American patient tells the nurse that she has lived in the United States for 50 years. The patient speaks English and lives in a predominantly Asian neighborhood. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Include a shaman when planning the patient's care
B. Avoid direct eye contact with the patient during care
C. Ask the patient about any special cultural beliefs or practices
D. Involve the patient's oldest son to assist with health care decisions
Correct answer:
The most appropriate action for the nurse in this scenario is to ask the patient about any special cultural beliefs or practices. This allows for a better understanding of the patient's individual cultural background and preferences related to healthcare. It is important to gather this information to provide culturally sensitive care. Choices A, B, and D are not appropriate actions. Including a shaman without the patient's request or consent may not align with the patient's beliefs or practices. Avoiding direct eye contact can be perceived as disrespectful in some cultures but should not be assumed without confirmation from the patient. Involving the patient's oldest son without the patient's consent or preference may not be appropriate and assumes family dynamics that may not be accurate.
A client who exhibits blurred and double vision and muscular weakness is informed of the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The client becomes visibly upset. Which response would the nurse make?
A. That must have shocked you. Tell me what the health care provider told you about it.
B. You should see a psychiatrist who will help you cope with this overwhelming news.
C. Don't worry; early treatment often alleviates the symptoms of the disease.
D. You should be glad that we caught it early so you can be cured.
Correct answer:
The response 'That must have shocked you. Tell me what the health care provider told you about it' acknowledges the effect of the diagnosis on the client and explores what is known. This response shows empathy and encourages the client to share their understanding. There is no evidence of ineffective coping, so a referral to a psychiatrist is not necessary at this initial stage. The statement 'Don't worry; early treatment often alleviates symptoms of the disease' provides false reassurance as the course of MS varies for each individual and may not always respond well to treatment. The statement 'You should be glad we caught it early so it can be cured' does not address the client's current emotional state and is inaccurate; MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that currently has no cure.
After a client has a spontaneous abortion at 12 weeks' gestation, the nurse notes that both she and her partner are visibly upset and crying. Which statement would be a therapeutic response?
A. 'I'll be here if you want to talk.''
B. 'Try to relax"?it'll speed up the healing process.''
C. 'With any luck, you'll get pregnant again soon.''
D. 'It's best that this happened early rather than having the baby die after it was born.''
Correct answer:
A therapeutic response in this situation is to offer support and empathy. Saying, 'I'll be here if you want to talk' gives the client and her partner the opportunity to express their emotions and seek comfort. It acknowledges their distress and assures them of the nurse's availability. Choice B, advising to relax to speed up the healing process, dismisses their current emotions and may hinder open communication. Choice C, suggesting getting pregnant again soon, minimizes their grief over the loss and may not be what the couple needs to hear at that moment. Choice D, stating it's best that the miscarriage happened early, is insensitive as it invalidates the couple's feelings of loss and grief. Grieving is a natural process, and the timing of the loss does not diminish its significance.
False imprisonment is a clear example of an intentional tort where one person deliberately confines another without lawful justification. It involves intentional, wrongful restraint of a person's freedom of movement. Negligence, on the other hand, is an unintentional tort that occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to others. Malpractice, which involves professional negligence, is also classified as an unintentional tort as it is a failure to meet the standard of care expected in a particular profession. Breach of duty, while a legal concept, is not an example of an intentional tort. It refers to a failure to fulfill a legal obligation or duty owed to another party, often leading to legal consequences, but it is not categorized as an intentional tort.
NCLEX-RN mental health practice questions, set 5 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.
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