Mental health NCLEX

The nursing student is asked to identify the characteristics of bulimia nervosa. Which response by the student indicates a need to further research of the disorder?

Body weight well below ideal range

During a group meeting, a client diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) verbalizes difficulty with maintaining realistic behavior. Which response by the nurse would be therapeutic?

"I can see that you are upset about this. Let's talk about this some more."

The nurse is assigned to care for a client who is agitated. On entering the room, the client screams, "Why don't you just leave me alone?" The nurse should make which therapeutic response to the client?

"I can see that you are upset. I'll be back in a few minutes to see how you are doing."

The nurse working the evening shift is assisting clients in getting ready to go to sleep. A client diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) becomes upset and agitated and asks the nurse to sit down and talk. Which response by the nurse would be best at this time?

"I can see that you're upset. I'm willing to listen."

The nurse is monitoring a client who is in seclusion. Which statement would indicate that the client is safe to come out of seclusion?

"I don't feel like hurting myself anymore."

The nurse is working with a client who is delusional. The client says to the nurse, "The leaders of a religious cult are being sent to assassinate me." Which is the best response by the nurse?

"I don't know about a religious cult. Are you afraid that people are trying to hurt you?"

The nurse is collecting data from a client and is attempting to obtain subjective data regarding the client's sexual reproductive status. The client states, "I don't want to discuss this-it's private and personal." Which statement by the nurse indicates a therapeutic response?

"I know that some of these questions are difficult for you, but as the nurse, I must legally respect your confidentiality."

The nurse is caring for an older client whose husband died approximately 6 weeks ago. The client says, "There's no one left to care about me. Everyone that I have loved is now gone." The nurse should make which appropriate response?

"It sounds as though you are feeling all alone right now."

The nurse is monitoring a client with anorexia nervosa. Which statement by the client would indicate to the nurse that treatment has been effective?

"My friends and I went out to lunch today."

The nurse is collecting data on a client who is actively hallucinating. Which nursing statement should be therapeutic at this time?

"Sometimes people hear things or voices others can't hear."

A female victim of a sexual assault is being seen in the crisis center. The client states that she still feels "as though the rape just happened yesterday," even though it has been a few months since the incident. Which nursing response is appropriate?

"Tell me more about what causes you to feel like the rape just occurred."

The nurse informs a client with an eating disorder about group meetings with Overeaters Anonymous. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further teaching about this self-help group?

"The leader of this self-help group is the nurse or psychiatrist."

A client admitted with depression states to the nurse, "My life has been such a failure; nothing I do turns out right." Which response by the nurse would be therapeutic?

"You seem very discouraged. Can you think of anything recently that went as you planned?"

During a conversation with a depressed client on a psychiatric unit, the client says to the nurse, "My family would be better off without me." The nurse should make which therapeutic response to the client?

"You sound very upset. Are you thinking of hurting yourself?"

The nurse caring for a client with schizophrenia prepares to document which symptoms exhibited by the client as negative symptoms? Select all that apply.

Avolition Anergia

On data collection, which behavior should the nurse expect a client diagnosed with agoraphobia to describe?

A fear of leaving the house

The nurse is caring for a client who has been treated with long-term antipsychotic medication. As part of the nursing care plan, the nurse monitors for tardive dyskinesia. Which should the nurse observe with tardive dyskinesia?

Abnormal movements and involuntary movements of the mouth, tongue, and face

A hospitalized client with a history of alcohol abuse tells the nurse, "I am leaving now. I have to go. I don't want any more treatment. I have things that I have to do right away." The client has not been discharged. In fact, the client is scheduled for an important diagnostic test to be performed in 1 hour. After the nurse discusses the client's concerns with the client, the client dresses and begins to walk out of the hospital room. The appropriate nursing action is which?

Call the nursing supervisor.

A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder and mania. The nurse identifies which symptoms or behaviors as requiring immediate intervention?

Constant physical activity and poor oral intake

The nurse enters a client's room, and the client immediately demands to be released from the hospital. On review of the client's record, the nurse notes that the client was admitted 2 days ago for treatment of an anxiety disorder and that the admission was a voluntary admission. The nurse reports the findings to the registered nurse (RN) and expects that the RN will take which action?

Contact the health care provider (HCP).

A female client with anorexia nervosa is a member of a support group. The client has verbalized that she would like to buy some new clothes, but her finances are limited. Group members have brought some used clothes for the client to replace her old clothes. The client believes that the new clothes were much too tight, so she has reduced her calorie intake to 800 calories daily. The nurse identifies this behavior as which?

Evidence of the client's altered and distorted body image

The police arrive at the emergency room with a client who has seriously lacerated both wrists. The initial nursing action is which?

Examine and treat the wound sites.

A client has been brought to the emergency department after attempting to commit suicide by hanging. The nurse should take which nursing action first?

Examine the neck area and assess the airway.

When caring for a client who has been raped, which intervention should the nurse implement during the examination?

Explaining procedures to be completed and why the procedures are necessary

Following a group therapy session, a client approaches the nurse and verbalizes a need for seclusion because of uncontrollable feelings. The nurse reports the findings to the registered nurse (RN) and expects that the RN will take which action?

Get a written prescription from the health care provider (HCP) and obtain an informed consent.

The nurse is preparing a care plan for the client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The nurse should focus on which as the primary means to accomplish work with this client?

Goals and objectives

Which is the best rationale for using group therapy as an accepted way of treatment of clients in the milieu?

Group therapy provides a social mechanism in which a client can relate to peers and validate thoughts and feelings in a realistic environment.

A depressed client verbalizes feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth typified by statements such as "I'm such a failure. I can't do anything right!" Which action should the nurse take?

Identify recent behaviors or accomplishments that demonstrate skill or ability.

A client who was admitted to the mental health unit 1 month ago with agoraphobia is cooperative, sharing with peers, and makes appropriate suggestions during group discussions. The nurse concludes that this client's behavior is most consistent with which behavior?

Improvement

The nurse is assessing a client with bipolar disorder who is taking lithium carbonate and who has a lithium level of 1.7 mEq/L. The nurse would expect to find which sign/symptoms of lithium toxicity associated with this level? Select all that apply.

Incoordination Mental confusion Muscle hyperirritability

A client with Alzheimer's disease became very agitated when a group of children came to sing and dance at a long-term care facility. The nurse should use which piece of information when approaching the client about this behavior?

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease have difficulty tolerating excess stimulation and changes in routine.

The nurse on a behavioral health unit is having a therapeutic discussion with a client and recognizes that which communication techniques would be nontherapeutic? Select all that apply.

Minimizing feelings Changing the subject Asking "why" questions

The nurse reviews the activity schedule for the day and determines that the best supervised activity that the manic client could participate in is which?

Ping-Pong

The nurse working in a mental health unit hears that a client has been experiencing "flashbacks." The nurse interprets that this client is exhibiting a sign of which condition?

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A mental health nurse is assigned to care for a client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, acute phase. The nurse should use which approach when planning care for this client?

Provide assistance with grooming and nutrition until the client's thinking is cleared.

The nurse is caring for a client in the acute manic stage of bipolar disorder and plans to use which interventions to assist in maintaining a safe environment? Select all that apply.

Provide high-calorie finger foods. Decrease the light and noise level on the unit. Restrict the client's access to money and other valuables.

The nurse is caring for a client with a somatic disorder and knows that which interventions would be most helpful to this client? Select all that apply.

Reinforce the client's problem-solving abilities. Assess "secondary gains" that the somatic illness provides the client.

The nurse is assessing a newly admitted client recently diagnosed with depression. Which data best supports that the client is at risk for self-harm?

Reported hopelessness

The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. Which interventions should the nurse use in providing care for the client? Select all that apply.

Request that the client perform undemanding, self-care tasks. Reinforce teaching the client techniques to maintain present reality. Assist the client to reestablish relationships with significant others.

The nurse in the mental health unit reviews the therapeutic and nontherapeutic communication techniques with a nursing student. Which are therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply.

Restating Listening Maintaining neutral responses Providing acknowledgment and feedback

A woman comes into the emergency department following an assault. She presents with hyperventilation, pacing, rapid speech, and headache. The nurse correctly determines that the client is experiencing which level of anxiety?

Severe

The nurse is collecting data from a client recently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Which information best supports that the client is at risk for harming another individual?

Sibling stating, "I don't feel safe around my brother."

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with catatonic stupor. The client is lying on the bed, with the body pulled into a fetal position. The appropriate nursing intervention is which?

Sit beside the client in silence and verbalize occasional open-ended questions.

The registered nurse has written an outcome statement of "Client will feel less anxious by the end of session" for a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which interventions should the licensed practical nurse use to assist this client in meeting this goal? Select all that apply.

Stay with the client. Administer anxiolytics medications if prescribed. Ensure the client is in an environment with little stimuli.

The nurse is assisting in conducting a group therapy session, and a client with a manic disorder is monopolizing the group. The appropriate nursing action is which?

Suggest that the client stop talking and try listening to others.

A woman is brought to the emergency department in a severe state of anxiety after witnessing a devastating car accident that killed two people. Which should the nurse assigned to care for the client do first?

Take the client to a quiet room.

The nurse is assisting in conducting a group therapy session. During the session a client threatens to act out physically and states that he will punch another member of the group. Which is the appropriate nursing action?

Tell the client that he may talk about his anger but cannot act on it during the group session.

Which behaviors observed by the nurse might lead to the suspicion that a depressed adolescent client could be suicidal?

The client gives away a DVD and a cherished autographed picture of the performer.

A client in the mental health unit engages in repeated hand washing throughout the day. The nurse understands that these repetitive behaviors develop for which reason?

The client is unconsciously attempting to control unpleasant thoughts or feelings.

The nurse determines that the wife of an alcoholic client is benefiting from attending an Al-Anon group when the nurse hears the wife say which?

"I no longer feel that I deserve the beatings my husband inflicts on me."

A client says to the home care nurse, "I can't believe that my wife died yesterday. I keep expecting to see her everywhere I go in this house, ready to plan our activities for the day." Which is the therapeutic nursing response?

"It must be hard to accept that she has passed away."

The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has recently lost her husband. The client says, "No one cares about me anymore. All the people I loved are dead." Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?

"You must be feeling all alone at this point."

A client was admitted to a medical unit with acute blindness. Many tests are performed, and there seems to be no organic reason why this client cannot see. The nurse later learns that the client became blind after witnessing a hit-and-run car crash in which a family of three was killed. The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing which?

Conversion disorder

A client is admitted to a psychiatric unit for treatment of a psychotic disorder. The client is at the locked exit door and is shouting, "Let me out! There's nothing wrong with me! I don't belong here!" The nurse identifies this behavior as which?

Denial

The nurse reviews the treatment prescribed for a client with a mental health disorder. The nurse understands that a form of psychotherapy in which the client enacts situations that are of emotional significance is identified by which term?

Psychodrama

A client who has terminal cancer has been experiencing a significant increase in pain. However, today the client is no longer complaining of pain but is quiet and isolative. Which types of therapeutic communication should the nurse employ? Select all that apply.

Sit by client's bed holding his or her hand. Reminisce with the client and sharing a humorous story that the client enjoys. The nurse asks: "What can I do, that might make you feel more comfortable today?" The nurse asks: "I noticed you grimacing earlier when I walked in your room. Are you in pain?" The nurse states: "It must be very frustrating to be in pain and not be able to get complete relief from your pain."

A client admitted with depression 3 days ago could hardly get out of bed without coaxing and needed constant encouragement to get dressed and participate in unit activities. Today the client appears in the dayroom dressed and well groomed, without any guidance from the staff. The client appears to be calm and relaxed, yet more energetic than before. The nurse should take which initial action after noting this client's behavior?

Speak to the client personally about the nurse's observations and ask if the client is thinking about suicide.

The nurse reviews the plan of care for a suicidal client admitted to the hospital. The nurse notes documentation of the client's loss of a spouse, which occurred several years ago. The client progresses well and is approaching discharge. Which is an appropriate goal for this client's care?

The client verbalizes stages of grief and plans to attend a community grief group.

A client who has been drinking alcohol on a regular basis admits to having "a problem" and is asking for assistance with the problem. The nurse should encourage the client to attend which community group?

Alcoholics Anonymous

The nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa. The nurse planning care for the client recognizes that which manifestation is likely to be present?

Amenorrhea

A woman is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. A behavior therapy approach is used as part of her treatment plan. Which is the purpose of the behavior therapy approach?

Help the client identify and examine dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs.

The nurse notes that a client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) appears anxious and is reluctant to ask questions. Which action should the nurse take to best address these observations?

Discuss common fears and questions expressed by other clients with the same diagnosis.

In planning activities for the depressed client, especially during the early stages of hospitalization, which is best?

Encourage the client to participate in a structured daily program of activities.

The mother of 6-year-old twins says to the nurse, "My mother-in-law doesn't think our children should come to the funeral service for their grandfather. What do you advise?" Which response made by the nurse would be the most appropriate?

"What do you and your husband believe is the right thing for your children?"

The nurse is collecting data on a client diagnosed with mild depression. The client says to the nurse, "I haven't had an appetite at all for the last few weeks." Which response by the nurse would be therapeutic?

"You haven't had an appetite at all?"

The nurse is caring for an older, depressed client whose son was killed in an armed robbery after murdering two people. The client says, "I don't know what I did wrong. His dad died a hero in Vietnam when he was only 2 years old, but he's had everything. When he threw the cat up against the wall to see if it landed on its feet and stole money from me and denied it, his sister covered for him." The nurse plans to make which therapeutic response to the client?

"It seems as if you or your daughter feel regret?"

The nurse is assigned to care for a client admitted to the hospital after sustaining an injury from a house fire. The client attempted to save a neighbor involved in the fire, but despite the client's efforts, the neighbor died. Which action should the nurse take to enable the client to work through the meaning of the crisis?

Inquiring about the client's feelings that may affect coping

A client who has developed paralysis of the lower extremities is admitted to the hospital. The client shares information with the nurse regarding a severe emotional trauma that occurred 6 weeks ago. The nurse develops a plan of care, knowing which action is the priority?

Look for organic causes of the paralysis.

The nurse is employed at a drug abusers' residential treatment center. The nurse is preparing for the arrival of a new client and prepares to explain to the client that the emphasis of the center is on group and social interaction and that rules and expectations are mediated by peer pressure. The most likely focus of therapy of this residential center is which?

Milieu therapy

A client is admitted to the psychiatric nursing unit. When collecting data from the client, the nurse notes that the client was admitted on an involuntary status. Based on this type of admission, the nurse expects which?

The client presents a harm to self.