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
When assessing a client with depression, the client states, I just feel so sad and hopeless. I just don't care anymore. I don't even enjoy doing the crossword puzzles like I used to. The nurse documents this finding as indicative of which of the following?
A. Dysthymic disorder
B. Anhedonia
C. Delusion
D. Psychosis
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Anhedonia
The correct answer is B: Anhedonia. Anhedonia refers to the inability to experience pleasure or joy in activities that were previously enjoyable. In the scenario provided, the client's statement about not enjoying crossword puzzles anymore indicates a loss of pleasure, which is a key symptom of anhedonia commonly seen in depression.
A: Dysthymic disorder is a type of chronic mood disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood. The client's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder based on the information provided.
C: Delusion refers to a fixed false belief that is not based in reality. The client's statement does not involve any delusional beliefs, so this choice is incorrect.
D: Psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often manifesting as hallucinations or delusions. The client's statement does not indicate a break from reality, so psychosis is not the correct choice.
Question 2
Which Western cultural feature may result in establishing unrealistic outcomes for patients of other cultural groups?
A. Interdependence
B. Present orientation
C. Flexible perception of time
D. Direct confrontation to solve problems
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Direct confrontation to solve problems
The correct answer is D: Direct confrontation to solve problems. This Western cultural feature may result in establishing unrealistic outcomes for patients of other cultural groups because direct confrontation may be perceived as aggressive or disrespectful in many cultures. Patients from these cultural groups may prefer indirect communication or conflict resolution methods. Therefore, using direct confrontation could lead to misunderstandings, resistance, or lack of cooperation from patients.
A: Interdependence is a common cultural value in many cultures and does not necessarily lead to unrealistic outcomes for patients of other cultural groups.
B: Present orientation is a temporal orientation and does not directly impact outcomes for patients from other cultural groups.
C: Flexible perception of time may differ across cultures but does not inherently lead to unrealistic outcomes for patients of other cultural groups.
Question 3
When preparing the plan of care for a forensic client, a nurse determines not to investigate the details of the crime. Which of the following best supports the rationale for the nurse's decision?
A. Knowing the crime details would be extremely frightening for the nurse.
B. Denying the crime details will help to protect the nurse from undue anxiety.
C. It will keep the nurse's attitudes about the crime from influencing care.
D. It will help maintain proper professional boundaries between the nurse and the client.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — It will keep the nurse's attitudes about the crime from influencing care.
The correct answer is C because not investigating the crime details will help the nurse maintain unbiased attitudes towards the client and provide care without being influenced by personal opinions or judgments. By avoiding learning about the crime, the nurse can focus on the client's health needs and promote a therapeutic relationship based on trust and respect.
A: This choice is incorrect because the nurse's personal feelings of fear should not dictate the decision-making process in providing care for the client.
B: This choice is incorrect because protecting the nurse from anxiety is not the primary reason for not investigating the crime details. The focus should be on providing effective care for the client.
D: This choice is incorrect because maintaining professional boundaries is important, but the primary reason for not investigating the crime details is to ensure impartiality and quality care for the client.
Question 4
A nurse explains to the family of a mentally ill patient how a nurse–patient relationship differs from social relationships. Which is the best explanation?
A. "The focus is on the patient. Problems are discussed by the nurse and patient, but solutions are implemented by the patient."
B. "The focus shifts from nurse to patient as the relationship develops. Advice is given by both, and solutions are implemente"
C. "The focus of the relationship is socialization. Mutual needs are met, and feelings are shared openly."
D. "The focus is creation of a partnership in which each member is concerned with growth and satisfaction of the other."
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — "The focus is on the patient. Problems are discussed by the nurse and patient, but solutions are implemented by the patient."
The correct answer is A because it highlights the key difference in a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship: the focus on the patient's needs and active participation in problem-solving. The nurse facilitates discussion but empowers the patient to make decisions and implement solutions, promoting autonomy and self-efficacy.
Choice B is incorrect because it suggests a more equal exchange of advice and implementation of solutions, which can blur professional boundaries and hinder the patient's growth.
Choice C is incorrect as it emphasizes socialization and meeting mutual needs, which are more characteristic of social relationships rather than therapeutic ones focused on the patient's mental health needs.
Choice D is incorrect because it describes a partnership focused on mutual growth and satisfaction, which may not always align with the therapeutic goals of addressing the patient's mental health issues effectively.
Question 5
A 4-year-old child is unable to consider another child's ideas about playing house. This situation is an example of which concept of Piaget's theory of cognitive development?
A. Object permanence.
B. Reversibility and spatiality.
C. Egocentrism.
D. Formal operations.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Egocentrism.
The correct answer is C: Egocentrism. At the preoperational stage (2-7 years) in Piaget's theory, children struggle with understanding others' perspectives, known as egocentrism. In this case, the 4-year-old child's inability to consider another child's ideas about playing house reflects egocentrism. The child is only able to see things from their own point of view and struggles to understand that others may have different thoughts or viewpoints. This lack of perspective-taking is a key characteristic of egocentrism at this stage of cognitive development.
Now, let's analyze why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Object permanence - This concept is related to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not seen. It is typically developed in the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years), not in the preoperational stage where the child in the question falls.
B: Reversibility and spatiality - Reversibility
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
Which statement made by the primary caregiver of a patient diagnosed with dementia demonstrates accurate understanding of providing the patient with a safe environment?
A. The local police know that he has wandered off before.
B. I keep the noise level low in the house.
C. We've installed locks on all the outside doors.
D. Our telephone number is always attached to the inside of his shirt pocket.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: "We've installed locks on all the outside doors." This statement shows an understanding of the need to prevent the patient with dementia from wandering off and getting lost or injured. Installing locks on outside doors helps to ensure the patient's safety by limiting their ability to leave the house unsupervised. This measure is crucial in providing a secure environment for someone with dementia.
Explanation:
A: The statement about the local police knowing the patient has wandered off before does not address the immediate need to prevent wandering and ensure safety.
B: Keeping the noise level low in the house may be helpful for a patient with dementia, but it does not directly address the safety concern of wandering.
D: Attaching the telephone number to the patient's shirt pocket is a good safety measure, but it does not address the primary concern of preventing the patient from wandering off.
A female nurse had been sexually assaulted as a teenager. She finds it difficult to work with patients who have undergone the same trauma. What is the most helpful response?
A. Discussing these feelings with the nurse supervisor.
B. Requesting that these patients not be a part of her patient assignment.
C. Discussing these feelings with a mental health professional.
D. Accepting her role in providing unbiased, respectful, and professional care to all patients.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Discussing these feelings with a mental health professional. This option is the most helpful response because it addresses the nurse's emotional distress and offers professional support to help her process and cope with her trauma. By seeking help from a mental health professional, the nurse can work through her feelings and develop strategies to handle her difficulties working with trauma patients.
A: Discussing with the nurse supervisor may provide some support, but a mental health professional is better equipped to address the nurse's emotional needs.
B: Requesting patient assignment changes may avoid the issue temporarily, but it does not address the root cause of the nurse's distress.
D: While important, accepting her role in providing unbiased care does not directly address the nurse's emotional struggles and may not be sufficient in helping her cope with her trauma-related difficulties.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who is newly diagnosed with diabetes. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates that the teaching was effective?
A. I will need to take insulin injections every day.
B. I need to monitor my blood glucose levels regularly.
C. I can stop my diabetes medications after a few weeks.
D. I don't need to worry about my diet as long as I take my medications.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: "I need to monitor my blood glucose levels regularly." This statement indicates effective teaching because monitoring blood glucose levels is essential for managing diabetes. Regular monitoring helps the patient understand how their body responds to food, exercise, and medications. It allows for adjustments in the treatment plan to maintain blood sugar levels within target range.
A: Taking insulin injections daily may be necessary for some patients with diabetes, but this alone does not indicate effective teaching as monitoring blood glucose levels is also critical.
C: Stopping diabetes medications without healthcare provider's guidance can be dangerous and indicates a lack of understanding about the chronic nature of diabetes.
D: Neglecting diet and relying solely on medications is not an effective approach to managing diabetes. Diet plays a crucial role in controlling blood sugar levels.
A 15-year-old ran away from home six times and was arrested for shoplifting. The parents told the Court, 'We can't manage our teenager.' The adolescent is physically abusive to the mother and defiant with the father. Which diagnosis is supported by this adolescent's behavior?
A. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
B. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
C. Intermittent explosive disorder
D. CD
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Conduct Disorder (CD). The given scenario describes a pattern of persistent behavior that violates the rights of others and societal norms, such as running away, shoplifting, and being physically abusive. CD is characterized by aggression, rule-breaking, and disregard for others' feelings and rights. This diagnosis aligns with the adolescent's behavior of being defiant and physically abusive towards the parents. ADHD (A) primarily involves symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which are not the primary features displayed in this case. PTSD (B) results from exposure to traumatic events, which are not explicitly mentioned in the scenario. Intermittent Explosive Disorder (C) involves recurrent behavioral outbursts, often involving aggression, that are out of proportion to the situation, which does not fully capture the range of behaviors exhibited by the adolescent in this case.
A 15-year-old ran away from home six times and was arrested for shoplifting. The parents told the Court, 'We can't manage our teenager.' The adolescent is physically abusive to the mother and defiant with the father. Which diagnosis is supported by this adolescent's behavior?
A. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
B. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
C. Intermittent explosive disorder
D. CD
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Conduct Disorder (CD). The given scenario describes a pattern of persistent behavior that violates the rights of others and societal norms, such as running away, shoplifting, and being physically abusive. CD is characterized by aggression, rule-breaking, and disregard for others' feelings and rights. This diagnosis aligns with the adolescent's behavior of being defiant and physically abusive towards the parents. ADHD (A) primarily involves symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which are not the primary features displayed in this case. PTSD (B) results from exposure to traumatic events, which are not explicitly mentioned in the scenario. Intermittent Explosive Disorder (C) involves recurrent behavioral outbursts, often involving aggression, that are out of proportion to the situation, which does not fully capture the range of behaviors exhibited by the adolescent in this case.
The school nurse has been alerted to the fact that an 8-year-old boy routinely playacts as a police officer 'locking up' other children on the playground to the point where the children get scared. The nurse recognizes that this behavior is most likely an indication of:
A. The need to dominate others
B. Inventing traumatic events
C. A need to develop close relationships
D. A potential symptom of traumatization
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D, as playacting as a police officer and causing fear in other children could be a potential symptom of traumatization. This behavior may stem from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, leading the child to reenact them to make sense of their feelings and gain a sense of control. The child may be processing feelings of powerlessness or fear related to trauma through this play.
A: The need to dominate others - While the behavior may involve exerting control, it is more likely a coping mechanism for trauma rather than a desire to dominate.
B: Inventing traumatic events - There is no indication that the child is inventing traumatic events; rather, the behavior suggests a response to real trauma.
C: A need to develop close relationships - The behavior is not indicative of seeking close relationships but rather a way of expressing distress and trying to make sense of traumatic experiences.
The nurse is counseling a family with two parents and two children, ages 8 and 10 years. The mother complains that the children are constantly fighting and have intense sibling rivalry. Which statement would be most appropriate when advising the parents about how to respond to the sibling rivalry?
A. Try reacting to each as unique individuals with talents and interests distinctly their own.
B. Be firm about telling the children they have to cooperate with one another.
C. Slowly decrease the amount of attention and control shown to the older child.
D. Make sure they have a quiet, subdued home environment to avoid stimulating conflict.
Correct answer:
Step 1: Acknowledge individuality - By reacting to each child as unique individuals with their own talents and interests, parents can promote a sense of identity and reduce competition.
Step 2: Encouraging positive interactions - Fostering cooperation rather than simply demanding it can help improve sibling relationships.
Step 3: Address underlying issues - By focusing on individual needs and interests, parents can address root causes of rivalry rather than just surface behaviors.
Step 4: Promoting healthy relationships - Encouraging children to appreciate each other's strengths and differences can lead to a more harmonious sibling dynamic.
Summary:
Choice A is correct as it addresses the core issues of sibling rivalry by promoting individuality and positive interactions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the underlying causes of rivalry, promote unhealthy dynamics, or offer effective solutions.
A client who has a major depressive episode tells the nurse that for the past 2 weeks, he has been hearing voices and at times thinks that someone is following him. History reveals that he had these alternating symptoms before along with times when he has experienced neither of these symptoms and has been able to function adequately. The nurse interprets these findings as suggesting which of the following?
A. Paranoid schizophrenia
B. Undifferentiated schizophrenia
C. Brief psychotic disorder
D. Schizoaffective disorder
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Schizoaffective disorder. This is because the client is experiencing both psychotic symptoms (hearing voices, feeling followed) and mood symptoms (major depressive episode). Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and mood disorder symptoms.
A: Paranoid schizophrenia is incorrect because the client's symptoms do not solely fit the criteria for paranoid schizophrenia, as there are also depressive symptoms present.
B: Undifferentiated schizophrenia is incorrect as the client's symptoms do not fully align with the criteria for schizophrenia and there is a clear mood component present.
C: Brief psychotic disorder is incorrect as the client's symptoms have been present for more than the specified duration for this disorder.
In summary, the presence of both psychotic and mood symptoms over time points towards the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
A client is admitted to the mental health unit and sits in the corner of the dayroom. When the nurse begins the admission assessment interview, the client is guarded, suspicious, and resists talking. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Attempt to ask the client simple questions.
B. Postpone the client interview until the next day.
C. Ask another nurse to talk with the client.
D. Document the client's paranoid behavior.
Correct answer:
The correct action for the nurse to implement is to attempt to ask the client simple questions (Choice A). By asking simple questions, the nurse can start building rapport with the client and gradually gain their trust. This approach can help the client feel more comfortable and open up during the assessment interview. It is important for the nurse to demonstrate patience, empathy, and understanding towards the client's guarded and suspicious behavior.
Postponing the client interview until the next day (Choice B) may not address the client's current needs and may lead to further distrust. Asking another nurse to talk with the client (Choice C) may not necessarily be effective as the client may benefit from continuity of care with the same nurse. Documenting the client's paranoid behavior (Choice D) is important for the client's medical record but should not be the only action taken by the nurse in this situation.
The nurse is assessing a client for moral development. What statement by the client indicates the client is in the preconventional stage?
A. I do my best to follow the rules of society, so I won't go to jail.'
B. I see how the rules are hard to follow for some people and they suffer.'
C. The rules of society are made to be broken if they are not fair to all.'
D. We have rules to keep us in society safe and to be civil to one another.'
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because it reflects the preconventional stage of moral development where individuals are focused on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards. In this stage, people adhere to rules to avoid negative consequences.
A: This statement indicates adherence to rules to avoid negative consequences, which aligns with the preconventional stage.
B: This statement shows empathy and understanding of others' struggles, indicating a higher level of moral development.
C: This statement suggests a questioning of societal rules based on fairness, indicating a move towards the conventional stage.
D: This statement emphasizes societal rules for safety and civility, showing a higher level of moral reasoning beyond the preconventional stage.
In summary, choice A is correct because it aligns with the characteristics of the preconventional stage, while choices B, C, and D reflect higher stages of moral development.
RN exams mental health practice questions, set 26 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 RN exams 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.
