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
The nurse tells group members that they will be working on expressing conflicts during the current group session. Which phase of group development is represented?
A. Planning (formation) phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Working phase
The correct answer is C: Working phase. During the working phase of group development, members engage in tasks and work towards achieving the group's goals. In this scenario, the nurse indicating that the group will be focusing on expressing conflicts aligns with the working phase, where members actively participate in discussions and address issues within the group dynamic. This phase is characterized by increased cohesion and collaboration among members.
A: Planning (formation) phase - This phase involves the initial formation of the group and setting goals. It is focused on getting to know each other and establishing structure, not specifically addressing conflicts.
B: Orientation phase - This phase involves introductions and setting norms. While conflicts may arise during this phase as members adjust, the primary focus is on establishing roles and expectations.
D: Termination phase - This phase marks the end of the group, where members reflect on their experiences. It is not the phase for actively addressing conflicts within the group.
Question 2
A community health nurse visits an elderly person whose spouse died 6 months ago. Two vodka bottles are in the trash. When the nurse asks about alcohol use, this person says, “I get lonely and drink a little to help me forget.” Select the nurse’s most therapeutic intervention.
A. Assess whether this patient is drinking and driving.
B. Teach the person about risks for alcoholism and suggest other coping strategies
C. Advise the person not to drink alone because the risks for injury increase.
D. Arrange for the person to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for older adults.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Teach the person about risks for alcoholism and suggest other coping strategies
The correct answer is B: Teach the person about risks for alcoholism and suggest other coping strategies. This intervention is the most therapeutic because it addresses the underlying issue of using alcohol as a coping mechanism for loneliness and grief. By educating the person about the risks of alcoholism, the nurse can help the individual understand the potential harm of their current coping strategy. Additionally, suggesting alternative coping strategies can provide healthier ways to deal with loneliness and grief, ultimately promoting better overall well-being.
Choice A is incorrect because while assessing drinking and driving is important, it does not directly address the underlying emotional reasons for the alcohol use.
Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on the risks of injury rather than addressing the emotional aspects of the person's drinking behavior.
Choice D is incorrect as it jumps to a specific intervention without first addressing the person's understanding of their alcohol use and providing alternative coping strategies.
Question 3
A client has experienced the death of a close family member and at the same time becomes unemployed. This situation has resulted in a 6-month score of 110 on the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire. How should the nurse evaluate this client data?
A. The client is experiencing severe distress and is at risk for physical and psychological illness.
B. A score of 110 on the Miller and Rahe Recent Life Changes Questionnaire indicates no significant threat of stress-related illness.
C. Susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be estimated without knowledge of coping resources and available supports.
D. The client may view these losses as challenges and perceive them as opportunities.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be estimated without knowledge of coping resources and available supports.
The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire is an expanded version of the Schedule of Recent Experiences and the Rahe-Holmes Social Readjustment Rating Scale. A 6-month score of 300 or more, or a year-score total of 500 or more, indicates high stress in a client's life. However, susceptibility to stress-related physical or psychological illness cannot be accurately estimated without considering the individual's coping resources and available support systems. Positive coping mechanisms and strong social support can mitigate the risk of stress-related illnesses even in the face of significant life changes and losses. Choice A is incorrect because it makes a definitive statement about the client's state without considering individual coping mechanisms and support. Choice B is incorrect because a score of 110 does not necessarily mean no threat of stress-related illness, as individual factors play a crucial role. Choice D is incorrect as it assumes a positive outlook without acknowledging the potential impact of the experienced losses on stress levels.
Question 4
A nurse wants to find a description of diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Which resource would have the most complete information?
A. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
B. DSM-V
C. The ANA's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
D. ICD-10
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — DSM-V
The correct answer is B: DSM-V. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals. It provides detailed diagnostic criteria for various mental disorders, including anxiety disorders. The DSM-V is updated regularly and provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.
Rationale for other choices:
A: Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) does not provide diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, including anxiety disorders. It focuses on outcomes related to nursing care.
C: The ANA's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice outlines the scope of practice for psychiatric-mental health nurses but does not provide detailed diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.
D: ICD-10 is a classification system for diseases and health conditions, including mental disorders, but it does not provide detailed diagnostic criteria specific to anxiety disorders like the DSM-V does.
Question 5
A nurse is working as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team for a client diagnosed with a mental illness and substance abuse disorder. As part of the recovery process, which of the following would be most important for the team to do initially?
A. Provide a series of short-term hospitalizations that apply leverage to pressure the client into adhering to a prescribed treatment regimen.
B. Establish rules that will enhance the client's recognition of staff as authority figures who know what is best for the client's care and well-being.
C. Use heavy confrontation
D. intense emotional pressure
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — intense emotional pressure
The correct answer is D: intense emotional pressure. Initially, applying intense emotional pressure in a sensitive and supportive manner can help the client realize the seriousness of their situation and motivate them to engage in treatment. This approach can create a sense of urgency and importance for the client to address their mental illness and substance abuse disorder. It aims to evoke emotions that may prompt the client to reconsider their behaviors and choices, leading them to seek help voluntarily.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they advocate for coercive and authoritarian approaches that can potentially harm the therapeutic relationship and hinder the client's progress. Short-term hospitalizations, leveraging pressure, establishing strict rules, and using heavy confrontation can lead to resistance, defiance, and further alienation of the client. It is essential to prioritize building trust, fostering collaboration, and promoting autonomy in the early stages of treatment to establish a foundation for successful recovery.
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Question 6
The nurse is caring for a group of patients in a partial hospitalization program. The nurse would most likely be involved in which of the following activities?
A. Facilitating a drug abuse prevention group
B. Providing spiritual assessment and related interventions
C. Teaching patients how to plan a menu and to shop for groceries
D. Providing an educational group about the nutritional content of canned foods
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C because in a partial hospitalization program, the nurse's role often includes teaching patients practical skills to support their daily living. Teaching patients how to plan a menu and shop for groceries is important for promoting healthy eating habits and overall wellness. This activity directly aligns with the goal of a partial hospitalization program, which is to help patients develop skills to function independently.
Choice A is incorrect because facilitating a drug abuse prevention group is more likely to be part of a substance abuse program, not a partial hospitalization program. Choice B is incorrect because providing spiritual assessment and interventions is typically the role of a spiritual care provider or counselor, not a nurse in a partial hospitalization program. Choice D is incorrect because providing an educational group about the nutritional content of canned foods is not directly related to teaching patients practical skills for daily living, which is the focus of a partial hospitalization program.
A patient has delusions and hallucinations. Before beginning treatment with a psychotropic medication, the health care provider wants to rule out the presence of a brain tumor. For which test will a nurse need to prepare the patient?
A. Cerebral arteriogram
B. Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C. Positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To rule out a brain tumor, a CT scan or MRI is essential because they provide detailed images of the brain structure, allowing healthcare providers to visualize any abnormalities such as tumors.
Step-by-step rationale:
1. CT scan and MRI are common imaging tests used to detect structural abnormalities in the brain, including tumors.
2. These tests provide detailed cross-sectional images of the brain, enabling healthcare providers to assess the presence of any masses or lesions.
3. By evaluating the images from a CT scan or MRI, healthcare providers can determine if a brain tumor is present before initiating treatment with psychotropic medication.
Summary of other choices:
- A: Cerebral arteriogram is used to visualize blood vessels in the brain and is not specifically for detecting brain tumors.
- C: PET or SPECT scans are more useful in assessing brain function and blood flow, rather than detecting structural abnormalities like tumors.
A client with depression is not attentive to personal hygiene, uses television watching as a means of escape from responsibilities, and describes an inability to enjoy the things that once gave them pleasure. Which coping strategy should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Small amount of effort to solve the problem.
B. Encourage the client to set daily goals.
C. Provide opportunities for social interaction.
D. Teach relaxation techniques.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Small amount of effort to solve the problem. This strategy is appropriate because it focuses on breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, which can help the client with depression feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to address personal hygiene and responsibilities. By taking small steps, the client can experience a sense of accomplishment and gradually increase their engagement in self-care activities.
Option B: Encouraging the client to set daily goals may be overwhelming for someone with depression and may not address the underlying issues causing the lack of motivation.
Option C: Providing opportunities for social interaction is important for overall well-being, but it may not directly address the client's specific coping needs related to personal hygiene and lack of enjoyment in activities.
Option D: Teaching relaxation techniques can be helpful for managing stress and anxiety, but it may not directly address the client's lack of motivation and engagement in self-care activities.
A patient diagnosed with depression confidently tells the nurse, “I've been supplementing my paroxetine with St. John's wort. It has helped a great deal.†What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess changes in the patient's level of depression.
B. Remind the patient to use a secondary form of birth control.
C. Educate the patient about the risks of selective serotonin syndrome.
D. Suggest adding valerian to the treatment regimen to further improve results.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Educate the patient about the risks of selective serotonin syndrome. St. John's wort is known to interact with many medications, including paroxetine. This combination can increase serotonin levels in the brain, leading to a potentially dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. The nurse's priority is to ensure the patient understands this risk and the importance of consulting with their healthcare provider before combining medications.
Incorrect choices:
A: Assess changes in the patient's level of depression. While monitoring the patient's depression is important, addressing the potential drug interaction and safety concerns takes precedence.
B: Remind the patient to use a secondary form of birth control. This is not the priority in this situation as the main concern is the drug interaction.
D: Suggest adding valerian to the treatment regimen to further improve results. Introducing another supplement without addressing the potential interaction with St. John's wort and paroxetine is not appropriate.
A nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team working with groups of depressed patients. One group receives supportive interventions and antidepressants. The other group receives only medication. The team measures outcomes for each group. Which type of study is evident?
A. Incidence
B. Prevalence
C. Comorbidity
D. Clinical epidemiology
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Clinical epidemiology. Clinical epidemiology focuses on studying the outcomes of interventions in clinical settings. In this scenario, the nurse and the multidisciplinary team are evaluating the outcomes of different treatment approaches for depressed patients. This involves assessing the effectiveness of supportive interventions and antidepressants compared to medication alone. This type of study design allows for the evaluation of the impact of interventions on patient outcomes.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Incidence - Incidence refers to the rate of new cases of a condition in a population over a specified period. This choice is not relevant to the scenario described.
B: Prevalence - Prevalence refers to the proportion of individuals in a population with a specific condition at a given point in time. This choice is not relevant to the scenario described.
C: Comorbidity - Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more conditions in an individual. This choice is not relevant to the scenario described.
Nurse Tuan worked with a client three weeks ago to get them set up with a community-based mental health-care treatment plan to help with the client's diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Tuan decides to make a follow-up call to the client to ask them how they're doing. What step in the nursing process does Tuan's action represent?
A. assessment
B. evaluation
C. implementation
D. planning
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: evaluation. Evaluation is the step in the nursing process where the nurse assesses the client's response to the implemented plan of care to determine if the goals were met and if any modifications are needed. In this scenario, Nurse Tuan is following up with the client to assess how they are doing after the community-based mental health-care treatment plan was put in place. This action allows Tuan to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and make any necessary adjustments.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Assessment is the step where data is collected and analyzed to identify the client's problems and needs. This step precedes the implementation of the treatment plan.
C: Implementation is the step where the nurse puts the plan of care into action. Tuan has already implemented the plan and is now assessing its effectiveness.
D: Planning is the step where the nurse develops a comprehensive plan of care based on the assessment data. Tuan has already completed this step by setting up the community-based mental health-care
A client with body dysmorphic disorder is admitted to the inpatient unit. Based on the nurse's understanding about this disorder, the nurse would assess this client closely for which of the following?
A. Suicidal ideation
B. Escalating violence
C. Anorexia
D. Psychosis
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Suicidal ideation. Clients with body dysmorphic disorder often experience severe distress and preoccupation with perceived flaws in their appearance, leading to significant emotional and psychological distress. This can increase the risk of suicidal ideation and self-harm. Assessing for suicidal ideation is crucial to ensure the client's safety and provide appropriate interventions.
Summary of why other choices are incorrect:
B: Escalating violence - While individuals with body dysmorphic disorder may experience distress and frustration, there is no direct correlation between the disorder and escalating violence.
C: Anorexia - Body dysmorphic disorder and anorexia are separate disorders, although they may co-occur. Anorexia focuses on distorted body image related to weight and shape, while body dysmorphic disorder focuses on specific perceived flaws in appearance.
D: Psychosis - Body dysmorphic disorder is not typically associated with psychosis, which involves a loss of touch with reality. Clients with body
On an inpatient locked psychiatric unit, a newly admitted client requests to leave against medical advice (AMA). What should be the initial nursing action for this client?
A. Tell the client that, because he or she is on a locked unit, he or she cannot leave AMA.
B. Check the client's admission status and discuss the client's reasons for wanting to leave.
C. In a matter-of-fact way, initiate room restrictions.
D. Place the client on one-on-one observation.
Correct answer:
The correct initial nursing action for a client wanting to leave against medical advice from an inpatient locked psychiatric unit is to check the client's admission status and discuss the reasons for wanting to leave (Choice B). This approach allows the nurse to assess the client's mental status, risk factors, and reasons for wanting to leave, which are essential for providing appropriate care and interventions. By understanding the client's perspective and concerns, the nurse can work collaboratively with the client to address underlying issues and potentially prevent harm.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not prioritize understanding the client's reasons for wanting to leave or assessing the client's mental status and risk factors. Choice A dismisses the client's request without exploring the underlying issues. Choice C focuses on punitive measures rather than therapeutic communication. Choice D, placing the client on one-on-one observation, does not address the client's concerns or reasons for wanting to leave.
A patient diagnosed with depression confidently tells the nurse, “I've been supplementing my paroxetine with St. John's wort. It has helped a great deal.†What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess changes in the patient's level of depression.
B. Remind the patient to use a secondary form of birth control.
C. Educate the patient about the risks of selective serotonin syndrome.
D. Suggest adding valerian to the treatment regimen to further improve results.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Educate the patient about the risks of selective serotonin syndrome. St. John's wort is known to interact with many medications, including paroxetine. This combination can increase serotonin levels in the brain, leading to a potentially dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. The nurse's priority is to ensure the patient understands this risk and the importance of consulting with their healthcare provider before combining medications.
Incorrect choices:
A: Assess changes in the patient's level of depression. While monitoring the patient's depression is important, addressing the potential drug interaction and safety concerns takes precedence.
B: Remind the patient to use a secondary form of birth control. This is not the priority in this situation as the main concern is the drug interaction.
D: Suggest adding valerian to the treatment regimen to further improve results. Introducing another supplement without addressing the potential interaction with St. John's wort and paroxetine is not appropriate.
A client with depression is not attentive to personal hygiene, uses television watching as a means of escape from responsibilities, and describes an inability to enjoy the things that once gave them pleasure. Which coping strategy should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Small amount of effort to solve the problem.
B. Encourage the client to set daily goals.
C. Provide opportunities for social interaction.
D. Teach relaxation techniques.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Small amount of effort to solve the problem. This strategy is appropriate because it focuses on breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, which can help the client with depression feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to address personal hygiene and responsibilities. By taking small steps, the client can experience a sense of accomplishment and gradually increase their engagement in self-care activities.
Option B: Encouraging the client to set daily goals may be overwhelming for someone with depression and may not address the underlying issues causing the lack of motivation.
Option C: Providing opportunities for social interaction is important for overall well-being, but it may not directly address the client's specific coping needs related to personal hygiene and lack of enjoyment in activities.
Option D: Teaching relaxation techniques can be helpful for managing stress and anxiety, but it may not directly address the client's lack of motivation and engagement in self-care activities.
RN exams mental health practice questions, set 7 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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