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
A nurse is working with the family of a client who has been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to focus on when teaching the family about this disorder?
A. Anger management
B. Boundary setting
C. Medication therapy
D. Self-responsibility
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Boundary setting
The correct answer is B: Boundary setting. When working with a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, it is crucial for the nurse to focus on teaching the family about setting boundaries. This is important because individuals with this disorder often have difficulty respecting others' boundaries and may engage in manipulative or harmful behaviors. By establishing clear boundaries, the family can protect themselves and the client from potential harm or exploitation.
Explanation of why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Anger management - While anger management may be important in some cases, it is not the primary focus when dealing with antisocial personality disorder. The core issue lies in the individual's lack of empathy, disregard for rules, and manipulative behavior.
C: Medication therapy - Medication may be used to manage certain symptoms associated with antisocial personality disorder, but it is not the primary intervention. The focus should be on behavioral and therapeutic approaches.
D: Self-responsibility - While self-responsibility is important, individuals with antis
Question 2
Which statement by a patient would lead the nurse to suspect unsuccessful completion of the psychosocial developmental task of infancy?
A. I know how to do things right, so I prefer jobs where I work alone rather than on a team.'
B. I do not allow other people to truly get to know me.'
C. I depend on frequent praise from others to feel good about myself.'
D. I usually need to do things several times before I get them right.'
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — I depend on frequent praise from others to feel good about myself.'
The correct answer is C because depending on frequent praise from others to feel good about oneself indicates a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, which are key components of successful completion of the psychosocial developmental task of infancy according to Erikson's theory. This statement suggests an inability to develop a sense of autonomy and self-reliance, which are crucial in the infancy stage.
Choice A is incorrect because preferring to work alone rather than on a team may indicate a preference for autonomy, which is a positive trait related to the successful completion of the task of autonomy vs. shame and doubt in infancy.
Choice B is incorrect because not allowing others to truly get to know oneself could indicate introversion or privacy preferences, which may not necessarily suggest unsuccessful completion of the infancy developmental task.
Choice D is incorrect because needing to do things several times before getting them right may indicate a learning style or perfectionism rather than a sign of unsuccessful completion of the psychosocial developmental task of infancy.
Question 3
A patient was admitted to the psychiatric unit 3 days ago because of suicidal ideation. His suicidal risk has lessened considerably, and he currently denies having any desire to kill himself. In addition, he is able to identify reasons why he wants to be alive. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate at this time?
A. Assigning nursing staff to stay with him during his suicidal crisis
B. Developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts when they occur
C. Advising the patient that he should consider electroconvulsive therapy treatments
D. Administering psychotropic drugs that decrease the patient's serotonin levels
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts when they occur
The correct answer is B: Developing a personal plan for managing suicidal thoughts when they occur. This is the most appropriate intervention at this time because the patient's suicidal risk has lessened considerably and he is able to identify reasons for wanting to live. By creating a personalized plan, the patient can learn coping strategies and techniques to manage suicidal thoughts if they resurface in the future. This empowers the patient to take control of their mental health and provides them with tools to prevent future crises.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Assigning nursing staff to stay with him during his suicidal crisis - This is not necessary as the patient's suicidal risk has considerably lessened.
C: Advising the patient that he should consider electroconvulsive therapy treatments - This is an extreme intervention that is not warranted based on the current improvement in the patient's condition.
D: Administering psychotropic drugs that decrease the patient's serotonin levels - This intervention is not appropriate as the patient's current state does not indicate the need for immediate
Question 4
An adult client has described a personal loss. Before touching the client to offer comfort, what should the nurse consider?
A. the client's recent vital signs
B. the client's cultural background
C. if the doctor should be notified
D. if the client has been sad recently
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — the client's cultural background
The correct answer is B: the client's cultural background. Before touching the client to offer comfort, the nurse should consider the client's cultural background to ensure that the gesture is appropriate and respectful. Different cultures have varying attitudes towards touch, and what may be comforting in one culture could be inappropriate or invasive in another. Understanding the client's cultural background helps the nurse provide culturally sensitive care.
Incorrect choices:
A: the client's recent vital signs - Vital signs are important for assessing physical health, but they are not directly relevant to offering comfort through touch in this situation.
C: if the doctor should be notified - Notifying the doctor is not necessary before offering comfort through touch. It is more important to consider the client's needs and preferences.
D: if the client has been sad recently - While the client's emotional state is important, it is not the primary consideration before offering comfort through touch. Cultural background plays a more crucial role in determining the appropriateness of touch.
Question 5
A night shift worker reports, I'm having trouble getting to sleep after a night's work. I have a hearty breakfast with coffee, read the paper, do my exercises, and then go to bed. However, I just lie awake until it is nearly time to get up to be with my family for dinner. What changes should the nurse suggest? (Select all that apply.)
A. Drink juice with breakfast rather than coffee.
B. Exercise after awakening rather than before.
C. Turn on the television when going to bed.
D. Do not read the paper.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Drink juice with breakfast rather than coffee.
The correct answer is A: Drink juice with breakfast rather than coffee. Coffee contains caffeine, which can interfere with sleep. By switching to juice, the night shift worker can avoid the stimulating effects of caffeine and potentially improve their ability to fall asleep. Juice can also provide hydration and essential nutrients without the sleep-disrupting properties of coffee.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
B: Exercise after awakening rather than before - While exercising before bed can be stimulating and interfere with sleep, exercising after awakening may not directly address the issue of sleeplessness after a night shift.
C: Turn on the television when going to bed - Watching TV before bed can be stimulating and disrupt sleep patterns, so this choice would likely not help the night shift worker with their sleep troubles.
D: Do not read the paper - Reading the paper before bed may be a relaxing activity for some individuals and may not directly contribute to the difficulty in falling asleep after a night shift. It is not as impactful as changing the source of
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Question 6
Mr. Dilip is a forty-nine-year-old male who has been out of work for six years due to substance use issues. He wants to rejoin the workforce in his previous career as a woodworker. What type of workforce reentry programs would most directly benefit this client?
A. peer support program
B. entrepreneurship program
C. mental health integration program
D. vocational rehabilitation program
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: vocational rehabilitation program. This program would directly benefit Mr. Dilip by providing him with the necessary skills, training, and support to re-enter the workforce as a woodworker. Vocational rehabilitation programs are specifically designed to assist individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment, such as substance use issues, in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment. These programs offer services like career counseling, job training, job placement assistance, and ongoing support to help individuals like Mr. Dilip successfully reintegrate into the workforce.
A: Peer support program - While peer support can be beneficial for individuals in recovery, it may not provide the structured training and skills development needed for Mr. Dilip to re-enter his previous career as a woodworker.
B: Entrepreneurship program - While entrepreneurship can be a viable option for some individuals, it may not be the most direct path for Mr. Dilip to rejoin the workforce as a woodworker.
C: Mental health integration program - While mental health support
A night shift worker reports, I'm having trouble getting to sleep after a night's work. I have a hearty breakfast with coffee, read the paper, do my exercises, and then go to bed. However, I just lie awake until it is nearly time to get up to be with my family for dinner. What changes should the nurse suggest? (Select all that apply.)
A. Drink juice with breakfast rather than coffee.
B. Exercise after awakening rather than before.
C. Turn on the television when going to bed.
D. Do not read the paper.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Drink juice with breakfast rather than coffee. Coffee contains caffeine, which can interfere with sleep. By switching to juice, the night shift worker can avoid the stimulating effects of caffeine and potentially improve their ability to fall asleep. Juice can also provide hydration and essential nutrients without the sleep-disrupting properties of coffee.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
B: Exercise after awakening rather than before - While exercising before bed can be stimulating and interfere with sleep, exercising after awakening may not directly address the issue of sleeplessness after a night shift.
C: Turn on the television when going to bed - Watching TV before bed can be stimulating and disrupt sleep patterns, so this choice would likely not help the night shift worker with their sleep troubles.
D: Do not read the paper - Reading the paper before bed may be a relaxing activity for some individuals and may not directly contribute to the difficulty in falling asleep after a night shift. It is not as impactful as changing the source of
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetes who is having a hard time managing blood glucose levels. Using Bronfenbrenner's Socio-Ecological Model, which factor would the nurse identify as most likely contributing to the client's difficulty managing their diabetes at the exosystem level?
A. Limited access to healthy food options
B. Family history of diabetes
C. Sedentary job
D. Lack of reliable transportation
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Limited access to healthy food options. At the exosystem level of Bronfenbrenner's model, environmental factors impact individuals indirectly. Limited access to healthy food options can hinder the client's ability to make nutritious choices, leading to poor blood glucose management. This factor influences the client's social and physical environment, contributing significantly to their difficulty in managing diabetes.
Summary:
B: Family history of diabetes is at the microsystem level, involving direct relationships and interactions. While it may predispose the client to diabetes, it does not directly affect their current struggles with managing blood glucose levels.
C: Sedentary job is also at the microsystem level and can impact physical activity but is not as influential in blood glucose management as access to healthy food.
D: Lack of reliable transportation is at the mesosystem level, involving connections between microsystems. While it can affect access to healthcare, it is not as directly related to dietary choices impacting blood glucose levels.
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 A: Self-direction. In the context of recovery, self-direction refers to the patient's ability to actively participate in decisions regarding their care and treatment. By involving the patient in the decision-making process, the nurse is promoting the patient's autonomy and self-determination, which are key components of recovery in mental health. This approach empowers the patient to take control of their own recovery journey and promotes a sense of ownership over their treatment plan.
Summary of other choices:
B: Empowerment - While empowerment is related to self-direction, it focuses more on giving the patient the tools and resources to make informed decisions rather than actively involving them in the decision-making process.
C: Person-centered - This choice emphasizes tailoring care to the individual's unique needs and preferences, which is important in recovery but not specifically related to the patient's active participation in decision-making.
D: Holistic - This choice pertains to considering all aspects of the patient's well-being, including physical,
What are the three components of evidence-based practice?
A. research/client preference/nurse competency
B. nurse experience/collaboration/teamwork
C. research/client safety/client preference
D. nurse experience/client teaching/delegation
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: research/client preference/nurse competency. Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best available research evidence with a patient's preferences and the nurse's clinical expertise. Research ensures interventions are based on proven effectiveness. Client preference acknowledges the importance of individual needs and values. Nurse competency ensures that care is delivered skillfully.
Choice B (nurse experience/collaboration/teamwork) lacks the essential component of research evidence, which is crucial for evidence-based practice. While collaboration and teamwork are important, they do not encompass all three components.
Choice C (research/client safety/client preference) includes client safety, which is essential but does not cover nurse competency, a key component of evidence-based practice.
Choice D (nurse experience/client teaching/delegation) misses the mark by not including research evidence and client preference, which are integral to evidence-based practice. Delegation and client teaching are important but not part of the core components.
Which of the following would be circumstances when a client could be subjected to involuntary hospitalization?Select one that does not apply.
A. When a client states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans to do so.
B. When a client does not bathe regularly or change clothes often.
C. When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act.
D. When a client who has diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet.
Correct answer:
Health-care professionals respect the wishes of a client who does not wish to be hospitalized and treated unless clients are a danger to themselves or others (i.e., they are threatening or have attempted suicide or represent a danger to others). When a client states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans to do so, the client is threatening suicide and could be subjected to involuntary hospitalization. When a client does not bathe regularly or change clothes often, the client is neglecting his or her hygiene, but it is unlikely that this could be construed as an imminent risk of harm to self. When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act, the client could be considered representing a danger to others. When a client who has diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet, the client is acting within his or her own right to comply with the recommendations of their health-care provider. When a client is unable to control his or her rage and is assaulting everyone around him or her, the client would be considered a danger to others.
A nurse has just transferred from a general psychiatric unit to work on a forensic psychiatric unit. The nurse finds it easier to communicate with these clients because, for the most part, their inappropriate behaviors and cognitive disorders have responded positively to treatment. One afternoon in December, a client asks the nurse for her address so he can send her a Christmas card. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A. Sure, let me write it down for you; it would be great to hear from you.
B. I read that you molested a 4-year-old girl. I have a 2-year-old child. I would be crazy to give you my address.
C. We need to get to know each other better before I would feel comfortable about giving you my address.
D. It is inappropriate for me to give you my address because our relationship is professional rather than social.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: It is inappropriate for me to give you my address because our relationship is professional rather than social.
Rationale:
1. Boundaries: As a nurse on a forensic psychiatric unit, maintaining professional boundaries is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of both the nurse and the client.
2. Ethical Conduct: Sharing personal information, like one's address, with a client blurs the lines between professional and personal relationships, which can lead to ethical violations.
3. Safety Concerns: Given the client's history and the nature of the request, disclosing personal information could potentially put the nurse at risk or compromise her safety.
4. Client-Centered Care: By respectfully declining the request and emphasizing the professional nature of their relationship, the nurse upholds the principles of client-centered care and maintains a therapeutic environment.
Summary:
A: This response does not address the importance of professional boundaries and could potentially lead to ethical issues.
B: This response is inappropriate, confrontational, and
You notice that you look forward to talking to Becky because her dark sense of humor reminds you of your best friend in high school. You also begin to make little cynical jokes, hoping to have a good laugh together. What is this relationship showing early signs of?
A. Accountability
B. Self-reflection
C. Transference
D. Countertransference
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Countertransference. This relationship shows early signs of countertransference because the individual is projecting feelings and attitudes from their past relationship with their best friend onto Becky. The individual's desire to joke and laugh with Becky based on similarities to their best friend in high school indicates a potential unconscious emotional response. Countertransference occurs when the therapist or individual develops feelings or reactions towards the client based on their own unresolved issues or past experiences. In this scenario, the individual is experiencing countertransference by transferring emotions related to their best friend onto Becky. This can potentially impact the objectivity and effectiveness of the relationship.
Summary:
A: Accountability - Not relevant to the scenario.
B: Self-reflection - Not applicable as the individual is not reflecting on their own behavior.
C: Transference - Different from countertransference, as transference refers to the client projecting feelings onto the therapist, not the other way around.
Which of the following would be circumstances when a client could be subjected to involuntary hospitalization?Select one that does not apply.
A. When a client states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans to do so.
B. When a client does not bathe regularly or change clothes often.
C. When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act.
D. When a client who has diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet.
Correct answer:
Health-care professionals respect the wishes of a client who does not wish to be hospitalized and treated unless clients are a danger to themselves or others (i.e., they are threatening or have attempted suicide or represent a danger to others). When a client states that he or she intends to commit suicide and is making plans to do so, the client is threatening suicide and could be subjected to involuntary hospitalization. When a client does not bathe regularly or change clothes often, the client is neglecting his or her hygiene, but it is unlikely that this could be construed as an imminent risk of harm to self. When a client states that he or she intends to harm others by a deliberate act, the client could be considered representing a danger to others. When a client who has diabetes refuses to follow the prescribed diet, the client is acting within his or her own right to comply with the recommendations of their health-care provider. When a client is unable to control his or her rage and is assaulting everyone around him or her, the client would be considered a danger to others.
The nurse has just admitted Nancy to the psychiatric unit. The psychiatrist has diagnosed Nancy with major depressive disorder. The nurse says to Nancy, 'Please tell me what it was like when you were growing up.' Which nursing role described by Peplau is the nurse fulfilling in this instance?
A. Surrogate
B. Resource person
C. Counselor
D. Technical Expert
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Counselor. In this scenario, the nurse is fulfilling the role of a counselor by engaging Nancy in a therapeutic conversation to explore her past experiences and emotions related to her major depressive disorder diagnosis. This role focuses on providing emotional support, guidance, and facilitating self-exploration.
A: Surrogate - This role involves temporarily standing in for another person. In this scenario, the nurse is not acting as a stand-in for anyone but is providing direct emotional support to Nancy.
B: Resource person - This role involves providing information and guidance related to the patient's care. While the nurse may provide resources and information, the primary focus in this scenario is on emotional support and therapeutic communication.
D: Technical Expert - This role involves providing specialized knowledge and skills related to patient care. While the nurse may use technical expertise in other aspects of care, in this scenario, the focus is on therapeutic communication and emotional support rather than technical knowledge.
RN exams mental health practice questions, set 3 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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