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
About an hour after the patient has ECT, he complains of having a headache. The nurse should:
A. Notify the physician stat.
B. Administer an as needed (prn) dose of acetaminophen.
C. Take the patient through a progressive relaxation sequence.
D. Advise going to activities to expend energy and relieve tension.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Administer an as needed (prn) dose of acetaminophen.
The correct answer is B: Administer an as needed (prn) dose of acetaminophen. After ECT, it is common for patients to experience headaches as a side effect. Administering acetaminophen will help alleviate the headache and provide relief for the patient. It is important to address the patient's discomfort promptly and effectively.
Choice A is incorrect because headaches after ECT are a common side effect and do not typically require immediate physician notification. Choice C is incorrect as progressive relaxation may not address the immediate headache symptoms. Choice D is also incorrect as physical activities may exacerbate the headache rather than provide relief. Administering acetaminophen is the most appropriate and efficient intervention in this situation.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a client who is being treated in the emergency department for a panic attack. Which of the following nursing interventions would be most appropriate?
A. Demonstrate empathy for the client by trying to mimic the client's state of anxiety.
B. Tell the client that you must leave to go report his symptoms to the psychiatrist on duty.
C. Tell the client this is an acute exacerbation with a positive prognosis and low morbidity.
D. Stay with the client, emphasizing that he is safe and that you will remain with him.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Stay with the client, emphasizing that he is safe and that you will remain with him.
The correct answer is D because staying with the client and emphasizing safety helps establish trust and security, which are crucial during a panic attack. This intervention provides reassurance and support, reducing the client's anxiety and promoting a sense of safety.
A: Demonstrating empathy is important, but trying to mimic the client's anxiety may escalate the situation.
B: Leaving the client alone may increase feelings of abandonment and worsen the panic attack.
C: Providing false reassurance by stating a positive prognosis may invalidate the client's feelings and minimize the seriousness of their experience.
In summary, choice D is the most appropriate as it focuses on providing immediate support and safety to help the client through the panic attack.
Question 3
A male client comes to the emergency center because he has an erection that will not resolve. The client reports that he is taking trazodone (Desyrel) for insomnia. Which information is most important for the nurse to ask the client?
A. When was the last time you drank an alcoholic beverage?
B. Have you taken any medications for erectile dysfunction?
C. Are you having any other sexual dysfunctions or problems?
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Have you taken any medications for erectile dysfunction?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trazodone can cause priapism, a prolonged painful erection unrelated to sexual stimulation. Asking if the client has taken any medications for erectile dysfunction will help differentiate between priapism due to trazodone and other causes of priapism. This is crucial for appropriate treatment and management.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Asking about alcohol consumption is important in some situations but not the priority in this case as trazodone is the likely cause of priapism.
C: While important to assess overall sexual health, it is not the most immediate concern when the client presents with priapism related to trazodone.
D: This choice is incomplete and does not provide any relevant information related to the client's condition.
Question 4
A nursing instructor is preparing a class lecture about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Which of the following would the instructor use to best describe this process?
A. Solving patients'problems for them by determining how they need to change their thoughts and actions and developing a plan that will help them do so.
B. Using techniques to modify a patient's behavior shaping it into behavior that is appropriate in order to help the patient experience a more positive future.
C. Reinforcing distorted beliefs so they can play a major part in changing a patient's behavior for the better and improving his or her quality of life.
D. Working in a trusting and collaborative relationship to help patients focus on solving their own problems by changing the way they think and behave.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Working in a trusting and collaborative relationship to help patients focus on solving their own problems by changing the way they think and behave.
The correct answer is D because cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping patients change their thoughts and behaviors to improve their mental health. In CBT, patients work collaboratively with the therapist to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors. By changing these cognitive distortions and maladaptive behaviors, patients can improve their emotional well-being. Choice A is incorrect because CBT is not about solving patients' problems for them, but rather empowering them to solve their own issues. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses solely on behavior modification and does not address the cognitive component of CBT. Choice C is incorrect because CBT aims to challenge and change distorted beliefs rather than reinforcing them.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia. Orders from the physician include 100 mg chlorpromazine IM STAT and then 50 mg PO bid; 2 mg benztropine PO bid prn. Why is chlorpromazine ordered?
A. To reduce extrapyramidal symptoms
B. To prevent neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. To decrease psychotic symptoms
D. To induce sleep
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — To decrease psychotic symptoms
Correct Answer: C - To decrease psychotic symptoms
Rationale:
1. Chlorpromazine is a typical antipsychotic used to manage psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia.
2. It acts by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, helping to alleviate hallucinations and delusions.
3. The IM STAT dose provides rapid relief, followed by the oral dose for maintenance.
4. Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to manage extrapyramidal symptoms, not chlorpromazine.
5. Chlorpromazine does not prevent neuroleptic malignant syndrome or induce sleep.
Summary:
A: Incorrect - Chlorpromazine does not primarily reduce extrapyramidal symptoms.
B: Incorrect - Chlorpromazine does not prevent neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
D: Incorrect - Chlorpromazine is not primarily used to induce sleep.
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Question 6
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is being cared for by a nurse. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help the client manage compulsive behaviors?
A. Encourage the client to suppress compulsive behaviors.
B. Allow the client to perform compulsive behaviors with limits.
C. Teach the client relaxation techniques to manage anxiety.
D. Discourage the client from performing compulsive behaviors.
Correct answer:
Allowing the client to perform compulsive behaviors with limits is a therapeutic intervention for managing OCD. This approach grants the client some autonomy while ensuring that the behaviors do not excessively disrupt daily life. Setting boundaries helps structure the behaviors, decreasing anxiety and distress associated with OCD. Encouraging the client to suppress compulsive behaviors (choice A) may lead to increased anxiety and potential worsening of symptoms. Teaching relaxation techniques (choice C) is beneficial for managing anxiety in general but may not directly address the compulsive behaviors. Discouraging the client from performing compulsive behaviors (choice D) without providing alternative strategies or support may increase distress and resistance.
The patient you are assigned unexpectedly suffers a cardiac arrest. During this emergency situation, your body will produce a large amount of:
A. carbon dioxide.
B. growth hormone.
C. epinephrine
D. aldosterone
Correct answer:
Rationale: During a cardiac arrest, the body will produce a large amount of epinephrine. Epinephrine is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress and helps to increase heart rate and blood flow to vital organs, aiding in the body's fight-or-flight response to the emergency. This hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure and oxygen delivery during a cardiac arrest.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Carbon dioxide is not produced in large amounts during a cardiac arrest.
B: Growth hormone is not directly involved in the body's immediate response to a cardiac arrest.
D: Aldosterone is a hormone that primarily regulates electrolyte balance and blood pressure, but it is not the main hormone released during a cardiac arrest emergency.
Planning for a patient with Asperger's disorder will be facilitated if the nurse understands that this disorder is different from autism. The nurse will base care on knowledge that Asperger's disorder is characterized by:
A. Repetitive patterns of behavior
B. Age-appropriate language development.
C. Stereotypic movements and speech patterns
D. Obsession with objects that move in a spinning motion
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Age-appropriate language development. Asperger's disorder is characterized by normal to above-average language development, whereas autism typically presents with delays or impairments in language skills. This is important for planning care as it influences communication strategies and interventions for individuals with Asperger's.
A: Repetitive patterns of behavior are more indicative of autism, not specific to Asperger's.
C: Stereotypic movements and speech patterns are also more associated with autism and not a defining feature of Asperger's.
D: Obsession with objects that move in a spinning motion is a specific behavior that may be seen in some individuals with autism, but it is not a defining characteristic of Asperger's disorder.
Hugo has a fraternal twin named Franco who is unaffected by mental illness even though they were raised in the same dysfunctional household. Franco asks the nurse, 'Why Hugo and not me?' The nurse replies:
A. Your father was probably less abusive to you.
B. Hugo likely has a genetic vulnerability.
C. You probably ignored the situation.
D. Hugo responded to perceived threats by focusing on an internal world.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B because genetic vulnerability plays a significant role in mental illness. Hugo and Franco, being fraternal twins, may have different genetic predispositions. This means that Hugo may have inherited genetic factors that make him more susceptible to mental illness compared to Franco. Therefore, even though they were raised in the same dysfunctional household, Hugo's genetic vulnerability could be the reason for his mental illness.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the key factor of genetic vulnerability. Choice A suggests a different reason related to abuse by their father, choice C implies Franco's ignorance of the situation, and choice D refers to Hugo's coping mechanism rather than genetic predisposition.
Therapeutic Milieu: Pt had a recent suicide attempt after his wife offered divorce, lost his job, and his best friend moved away. What is the best nursing intervention to support therapeutic Milieu?
A. Encourage activities that will allow him to take control over his environment.
B. Provide constant supervision to prevent another suicide attempt.
C. Limit the client's interactions with other clients.
D. Administer PRN sedative medications.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because encouraging activities that allow the patient to take control over his environment promotes empowerment and autonomy, which are essential for therapeutic milieu. This intervention helps the patient regain a sense of control and self-worth, fostering positive coping mechanisms.
B: Providing constant supervision may make the patient feel restricted and monitored, impeding trust and therapeutic relationship.
C: Limiting interactions with other clients may lead to feelings of isolation and lack of social support, which are crucial in therapeutic milieu.
D: Administering sedative medications may address symptoms temporarily but does not address the underlying issues or promote active participation in the therapeutic process.
While leading a small group, the nurse sets up the ground rules at the beginning of the group's first meeting. One of the rules established is that the group will always start at the specified time rather than waiting to start until after everyone has arrived. This rule reflects which of the following?
A. Group norms
B. Group cohesion
C. Group think
D. Group process
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Group norms. Setting up the rule that the group will always start at the specified time establishes an expected behavior within the group, known as a group norm. This norm guides the group's interactions and helps create a structured and efficient environment. Group cohesion (B) refers to the bond among group members, which is not directly related to the specified starting time. Group think (C) is a phenomenon where group members prioritize harmony and conformity over critical thinking, which is not reflected in the rule mentioned. Group process (D) is a broader term that encompasses all aspects of how a group functions, including communication and decision-making, but it does not specifically address the established starting time norm.
A patient has been voluntarily admitted to a mental health facility after an unsuccessful attempt to harm himself. Which statement demonstrates a need to better educate the patient on his patient's rights?
A. I understand why I was restrained when I was out of control.'
B. You can't tell my boss about the suicide attempt without my permission.'
C. I have a right to know what all of you are planning to do to me.'
D. I can hurt myself if I want to. It's none of your business.'
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D because it indicates a lack of understanding about the patient's rights and safety. By stating "I can hurt myself if I want to. It's none of your business," the patient is dismissing the facility's duty to ensure their safety and well-being. This statement demonstrates a need for education on the restriction of self-harm behaviors in a mental health facility.
A: This statement shows the patient understanding the reason for being restrained, which indicates awareness of the consequences of their actions.
B: This statement acknowledges the patient's right to confidentiality regarding their medical information.
C: This statement indicates the patient's right to be informed about their treatment plan and decisions involving their care.
The patient says, "My marriage is just great. My spouse and I always agree." The nurse observes the patient's foot moving continuously as the patient twirls a shirt button. The conclusion the nurse can draw is that the patient's communication is
A. clear.
B. distorte
C. incongruous.
D. inadequate.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: incongruous. The patient's verbal statement about the marriage being great contradicts the nonverbal behavior of foot movement and button twirling, indicating incongruity between the verbal and nonverbal communication. This inconsistency suggests that the patient may not be entirely truthful or may be experiencing internal conflict.
A: Clear - This choice is incorrect because the patient's communication is not clear due to the conflicting verbal and nonverbal cues.
B: Distorted - This choice is incorrect as there is no indication of intentional distortion in the patient's communication.
D: Inadequate - This choice is incorrect as inadequate communication refers to a lack of information or detail, which is not evident in this scenario.
After teaching the parents of a child diagnosed with ADHD about the disorder and its treatment, the nurse determines that the teaching has been effective when the parents state which of the following?
A. We need to remember that our son is not a bad kid; he just has difficulty with impulse control and attention.'
B. We need to be careful so he doesn't develop a substance abuse problem as he grows older.'
C. We should stop the medication after 2 months to see how effective it is in really controlling his symptoms.'
D. We should set up regular routines for him but not worry if he violates the limits once in a while.'
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because it demonstrates understanding and acceptance of the child's condition, emphasizing that the child is not inherently bad. This statement shows empathy, understanding, and willingness to support the child.
Choice B is incorrect because it focuses on a potential negative outcome rather than addressing the immediate needs of the child with ADHD.
Choice C is incorrect because stopping medication abruptly can have negative consequences on symptom management and may not accurately assess the medication's effectiveness.
Choice D is incorrect because consistency and firm boundaries are essential for children with ADHD, and allowing occasional violations of limits may not be conducive to the child's development and symptom management.
A psychiatric nursing class is discussing current trends in mental health care. A student voices the opinion that there should be equitable access to mental health care and resources for those who live in rural areas, for those without health insurance, and for those with very little income. The student nurse’s opinion most closely reflects which ethical principle?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Paternalism
C. Veracity
D. Justice
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Justice. The student nurse's opinion aligns with the ethical principle of justice, which emphasizes fairness and equitable access to resources for all individuals. By advocating for equal access to mental health care for those in rural areas, without insurance, and with low income, the student is promoting the ethical principle of justice. Justice ensures that everyone has the opportunity to receive necessary care regardless of their circumstances. Nonmaleficence (A) focuses on avoiding harm, paternalism (B) involves making decisions for someone else's best interest without their consent, and veracity (C) pertains to truthfulness and honesty, which are not directly related to the student nurse's opinion on access to mental health care.
RN exams mental health practice questions, set 45 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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