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 RN exams exam guide or more RN exams 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
After teaching a group of nursing students about milieu therapy, the instructor determines that additional teaching is needed when the students identify which of the following as a key concept of milieu therapy?
A. Structure interaction
B. Open communication
C. Validation
D. De-escalation
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — De-escalation
The correct answer is D: De-escalation. Milieu therapy focuses on creating a therapeutic environment to promote healing and growth. De-escalation techniques are not a key concept of milieu therapy.
Rationale:
1. Structure interaction (A): Correct - Milieu therapy emphasizes structured interactions between individuals to enhance communication and support.
2. Open communication (B): Correct - Milieu therapy encourages open and honest communication within the therapeutic environment.
3. Validation (C): Correct - Milieu therapy emphasizes validating individuals' feelings and experiences to promote a supportive environment.
4. De-escalation (D): Incorrect - De-escalation techniques are more commonly associated with crisis intervention and managing challenging behaviors, not a core concept of milieu therapy.
In summary, de-escalation is not a key concept of milieu therapy, which focuses on promoting a therapeutic environment through structured interactions, open communication, and validation.
Question 2
A family has recently lost all their belongings when their house burned down. They have been living in temporary housing. Although the parents were previously very supportive and able to help their young children with their homework in the evenings, they have been unable to do so under their present circumstances. Based on this information, which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate for this family?
A. Interrupted Family Processes
B. Compromised Family Coping
C. Ineffective Family Therapeutic Regimen Management
D. Caregiver Role Strain
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Interrupted Family Processes
The correct answer is A: Interrupted Family Processes. This nursing diagnosis is most appropriate because the family's ability to engage in their usual supportive and nurturing roles has been disrupted due to the traumatic event of losing their belongings in a house fire. The parents' inability to help their children with homework reflects a disruption in their usual family functioning.
Choice B: Compromised Family Coping may seem relevant due to the family's current situation, but it does not specifically address the disruption in family processes caused by the house fire.
Choice C: Ineffective Family Therapeutic Regimen Management does not apply as the family is not currently receiving any therapeutic treatment that they are unable to manage.
Choice D: Caregiver Role Strain may be relevant if the parents were experiencing strain specifically related to caregiving responsibilities, but the primary issue in this scenario is the disruption in family processes rather than caregiver strain.
Question 3
After teaching a class to a group of nursing students about the historical perspectives of mental health care, the instructor determines that the group has understood the information when they identify which of the following as a common belief about mental illness during the medieval period?
A. Mental illness in an individual was the result of being possessed by demons.
B. A person was removed from a contaminated environment to protect him or her.
C. Exorcisms were used as primary mode of treatment to cleanse the person of his or her sins.
D. The focus was on moral treatment to promote the individual's safety and comfort.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Mental illness in an individual was the result of being possessed by demons.
The correct answer is A: Mental illness in an individual was the result of being possessed by demons. During the medieval period, mental illness was often attributed to supernatural causes like demons. This belief led to practices such as exorcisms to 'cure' the person. This answer is correct as it highlights a common belief about mental illness during that time.
Summary of why other choices are incorrect:
B: A person was removed from a contaminated environment to protect him or her - This choice does not align with the historical perspective of mental health care during the medieval period.
C: Exorcisms were used as the primary mode of treatment to cleanse the person of his or her sins - While exorcisms were used, the primary belief was that mental illness was caused by demons, not necessarily sins.
D: The focus was on moral treatment to promote the individual's safety and comfort - Moral treatment was a later development in mental health care, not a common belief in the medieval period.
Question 4
A patient's 5-year-old poodle ran in front of a car and was killed. The patient continues to be upset by her pet's death, and she explains to a community counseling center nurse that she can't stop crying because, 'My Precious meant the world to me, and now my world will never be the same!' If the nurse were to determine that the patient was experiencing a crisis, which of the following types of crisis would it most likely be?
A. Maturational
B. Situational
C. Traumatic
D. Developmental
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Situational
The correct answer is B: Situational crisis. In this scenario, the patient's overwhelming emotional response to her pet's death is due to a specific, unexpected event - the loss of her beloved pet. Situational crises are triggered by external events that disrupt an individual's normal functioning. The patient's distress is directly linked to the situation at hand, which is the sudden death of her poodle.
Choice A: Maturational crisis, involves normal life transitions or stages. The patient's response is not related to a typical life event but to a specific incident.
Choice C: Traumatic crisis, typically involves a life-threatening or deeply disturbing event. While the loss of a pet can be traumatic, in this case, the patient's distress seems more related to the emotional bond with her pet rather than the traumatic nature of the event.
Choice D: Developmental crisis, occurs when an individual struggles to achieve a new developmental stage. The patient's grief is not related to a failure
Question 5
A patient with anorexia nervosa is resistant to weight gain. What is the rationale for establishing a contract with the patient to participate in measures to produce a specified weekly weight gain?
A. Severe anxiety concerning eating is expected, so objective and subjective data must be routinely collected.
B. Patient involvement in decision making increases sense of control and promotes adherence.
C. Because of risks of physical problems from refeeding, the patient's consent is essential.
D. A team approach to treatment planning ensures that physical and emotional needs are met.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Patient involvement in decision making increases sense of control and promotes adherence.
The correct answer is B because involving the patient in decision making increases their sense of control and promotes adherence to treatment. By establishing a contract with the patient for a specified weekly weight gain, the patient feels empowered and motivated to actively participate in their recovery process. This sense of control can help the patient overcome resistance to weight gain and improve compliance with treatment recommendations.
Explanation for other choices:
A: While collecting objective and subjective data is important in managing anorexia nervosa, it does not directly address the rationale for establishing a contract with the patient.
C: Consent is indeed essential for treatment, but this choice does not address the importance of patient involvement in decision making for promoting adherence to treatment.
D: While a team approach to treatment planning is crucial, it does not specifically explain the rationale for establishing a contract with the patient for weight gain.
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Question 6
A psychiatric mental health nurse working in the community is planning an educational program for fifth and sixth grade teachers. Which of the following would the nurse include?
A. Discussion of strategies the teachers can use to counteract the role media plays in encouraging eating disorders
B. Emphasis on the need for teachers to focus their prevention efforts on female students
C. Stressing of the need to allow students to eat without undue attention or supervision to prevent inadvertently influencing eating patterns
D. Clarification that peer pressure is not typically problematic in children who are in the fifth and sixth grades
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because discussing strategies to counteract the role media plays in encouraging eating disorders is crucial for promoting healthy body image and preventing eating disorders among students. Media portrayal of unrealistic body standards can negatively impact children's self-esteem and body image. By educating teachers on strategies to address these influences, they can help students develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because:
B: Focusing prevention efforts solely on female students overlooks the fact that eating disorders can affect individuals of all genders.
C: Allowing students to eat without undue attention is important, but solely focusing on this aspect does not address the broader issue of media influence.
D: Peer pressure can still be a significant factor in influencing behaviors, even among fifth and sixth-grade students. Dismissing its relevance can lead to overlooking important preventive measures.
While talking with a client with an eating disorder, the client states, 'I've gained 2 pounds, so soon I'll be over 100 pounds.' The nurse interprets this as which of the following?
A. Magnification
B. Selective abstraction
C. Overgeneralization
D. Dichotomous thinking
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Dichotomous thinking. This is because the client is exhibiting a black-and-white type of thinking by assuming that gaining 2 pounds will immediately push them over 100 pounds, without considering the possibility of any in-between weights. Dichotomous thinking involves viewing situations in extreme, polarized terms, such as all-or-nothing, good-or-bad. In this case, the client's statement reflects a rigid and unrealistic perspective on weight gain.
A: Magnification - This choice involves blowing things out of proportion or exaggerating the importance of certain events or attributes, which is not the case in the client's statement.
B: Selective abstraction - This choice refers to focusing on a single detail while ignoring the broader context, which is not evident in the client's statement.
C: Overgeneralization - This choice involves drawing broad conclusions based on limited evidence, which is not the case as the client's statement is specific to their weight gain.
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is providing care for a patient with a mental disorder. The patient is participating in the decision-making process. The nurse interprets this as which component of recovery?
A. Self-direction
B. Empowerment
C. Person-centered
D. Holistic
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Empowerment. Empowerment is the process of enabling individuals to take control of their own lives and make informed decisions. In the context of mental health recovery, when a patient actively participates in the decision-making process, it signifies empowerment. This component is crucial in fostering autonomy and self-determination in individuals with mental disorders.
Why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Self-direction typically refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and set goals for themselves, but it may not necessarily involve active participation in decision-making processes with healthcare providers.
C: Person-centered care focuses on tailoring treatment to individual preferences and needs, but it does not solely address the active involvement of the patient in decision-making.
D: Holistic care considers the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - but it does not specifically address the patient's active participation in decision-making.
Shortly after the parents announced that they were divorcing, a 15-year-old became truant from school and assaulted a friend. The adolescent told the school nurse, 'I'd rather stay in my room and listen to music. It's easier than thinking about what is happening in my family.' Which nursing diagnosis is most applicable?
A. Chronic low self-esteem related to role within the family
B. Decisional conflict related to compliance with school requirements
C. Defensive coping related to adjustment to changes in family relationships
D. Disturbed personal identity related to self-perceptions of changing family dynamics
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Defensive coping related to adjustment to changes in family relationships. The adolescent's behavior of truancy and aggression towards a friend indicates they are using defensive coping mechanisms to avoid dealing with the stress of their parents' divorce. This diagnosis focuses on the maladaptive coping strategies being used by the individual.
A: Chronic low self-esteem is not the most applicable diagnosis in this case as the behavior described is more indicative of avoidance and coping mechanisms rather than self-esteem issues.
B: Decisional conflict related to compliance with school requirements does not address the underlying emotional distress the adolescent is experiencing due to the family situation.
D: Disturbed personal identity related to self-perceptions of changing family dynamics is not the most appropriate diagnosis as it does not directly address the defensive coping mechanisms being used by the adolescent in response to the family changes.
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder tells the nurse that she frequently spaces out. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A. Do you feel stressed most of the time?
B. Does this frighten you when it happens?
C. What's happening around you when this occurs?
D. Do you feel as if you are out of your body?
Correct answer:
The correct response is C: "What's happening around you when this occurs?" This question is appropriate because it helps the nurse gather more information about the client's experiences during the spacing out episodes, which can provide insights into triggers or patterns. It allows the client to describe the context of the episodes, aiding in the assessment and potential identification of stressors or environmental factors contributing to the dissociative experiences.
Incorrect answers:
A: "Do you feel stressed most of the time?" This answer assumes stress as the primary cause without exploring other potential triggers.
B: "Does this frighten you when it happens?" This answer focuses on the emotional response rather than the environmental context, which may not be as helpful in understanding the situation.
D: "Do you feel as if you are out of your body?" This answer is more specific and may jump to conclusions about depersonalization, which may not necessarily be the client's experience.
An elderly client diagnosed with delirium is being treated with antipsychotic medication. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in this client?
A. Akathisia
B. Hallucinations
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Drowsiness
Correct answer:
The correct side effect that the nurse should monitor for in an elderly client diagnosed with delirium and treated with antipsychotic medication is orthostatic hypotension. Antipsychotic medications can lead to a drop in blood pressure upon standing, particularly in elderly individuals. Akathisia (choice A) refers to a movement disorder characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness and a compelling need to be in constant motion, which can be a side effect of antipsychotic medications but is not specific to elderly clients with delirium. Hallucinations (choice B) are sensory perceptions that appear real but are created by the mind, and while they can be associated with certain conditions or medications, they are not a common side effect of antipsychotic medications in elderly clients with delirium. Drowsiness (choice D) is a general CNS depressant effect that can occur with antipsychotic medications but is not the specific side effect that the nurse should be monitoring for in this case.
Shortly after the parents announced that they were divorcing, a 15-year-old became truant from school and assaulted a friend. The adolescent told the school nurse, 'I'd rather stay in my room and listen to music. It's easier than thinking about what is happening in my family.' Which nursing diagnosis is most applicable?
A. Chronic low self-esteem related to role within the family
B. Decisional conflict related to compliance with school requirements
C. Defensive coping related to adjustment to changes in family relationships
D. Disturbed personal identity related to self-perceptions of changing family dynamics
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Defensive coping related to adjustment to changes in family relationships. The adolescent's behavior of truancy and assault is a coping mechanism to avoid dealing with the stress and turmoil caused by the parents' divorce. This choice addresses the underlying issue of struggling to adjust to the changes in family dynamics and using defensive coping mechanisms to deal with the emotional distress.
A: Chronic low self-esteem is not the most appropriate diagnosis in this case as the behavior exhibited is more related to coping with family changes rather than self-esteem issues.
B: Decisional conflict related to school compliance is not the best choice as the behavior is not primarily driven by conflicts related to school requirements.
D: Disturbed personal identity related to changing family dynamics is not the most suitable diagnosis as the primary issue lies in the coping mechanism and adjustment to family changes rather than personal identity disturbances.
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms of chronic schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone. When the client walks to the nurse station in a laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body contort into a monster. What action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the prescribed anticholinergic Benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia.
B. Reassure the client that the sensation is temporary.
C. Encourage the client to relax and breathe deeply.
D. Document the client's symptoms and notify the HCP.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Administer the prescribed anticholinergic Benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia. In this scenario, the client's presentation of walking in a laterally contracted position and attributing it to something external causing his body to contort into a monster is indicative of acute dystonia, a side effect of antipsychotic medications like Risperidone. Administering Benztropine, an anticholinergic medication, helps alleviate dystonic symptoms by blocking the effects of excess acetylcholine in the brain. It is important to address dystonic symptoms promptly to prevent further distress and potential complications.
Incorrect choices:
B: Reassuring the client that the sensation is temporary does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms and may lead to increased distress.
C: Encouraging the client to relax and breathe deeply may not effectively manage the acute dystonic symptoms and could delay proper treatment.
D: While documenting the client's symptoms and notifying
When considering stress, what is the primary goal of making daily entries into a personal journal?
A. Providing a distraction from the daily stress
B. Expressing emotions to manage stress
C. Identifying stress triggers
D. Focusing on one's stress
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Expressing emotions to manage stress. By making daily entries in a personal journal, individuals can effectively express their emotions, thoughts, and feelings related to stress. This process helps in acknowledging and processing these emotions, leading to better stress management. Writing in a journal can serve as a cathartic outlet, allowing individuals to release pent-up emotions and gain clarity on their stressors. This practice promotes self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a sense of control over stressors.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Providing a distraction from the daily stress - Journaling is more about facing and processing stress rather than avoiding it.
C: Identifying stress triggers - While journaling may help in identifying stress triggers, the primary goal is to express emotions rather than solely focusing on triggers.
D: Focusing on one's stress - Journaling aims to manage stress by expressing emotions, not by fixating solely on stress itself.
Which drug group calls for nursing assessment for development of abnormal movement disorders among individuals who take therapeutic dosages?
A. SSRIs
B. Antipsychotics
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Tricyclic antidepressants
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Antipsychotics. Nursing assessment for abnormal movement disorders is crucial for individuals taking antipsychotics due to the risk of developing extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia. These movement disorders can significantly impact the individual's quality of life and require close monitoring by healthcare providers.
Summary:
A: SSRIs - SSRIs are not typically associated with abnormal movement disorders; they are more commonly linked to serotonin-related side effects like sexual dysfunction or gastrointestinal disturbances.
C: Benzodiazepines - Benzodiazepines are not known to cause abnormal movement disorders at therapeutic dosages; they are more likely to cause sedation, dizziness, and cognitive impairment.
D: Tricyclic antidepressants - While tricyclic antidepressants can cause side effects like dizziness and sedation, they are not primarily associated with abnormal movement disorders like antipsychotics.
RN exams mental health practice questions, set 14 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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