ATI RN
Nclex Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with a serious mental illness at age 20. Subsequently, he was frequently hospitalized. Two years ago, he was transferred to a group home. When considering the effects of institutionalization, which behavior demonstrates adaptation to the new environment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Makes himself lunch when he is hungry. This behavior demonstrates adaptation to the new environment as it shows independence and self-care skills. Choosing to prepare a meal when hungry indicates the individual is adjusting to living in the group home by taking care of his basic needs. Options A, B, and D are not necessarily indicative of adaptation to the new environment as they could be influenced by external factors or personal preferences without necessarily reflecting effective adjustment to the group home setting.
Question 2 of 9
A patient is prescribed medication for a psychiatric disorder. After 3 days, the patient tells the nurse that he or she has been constipated. Which instruction would the nurse give the patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because constipation is a common side effect of psychiatric medications, often due to decreased gastrointestinal motility. Eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more water can help alleviate constipation by increasing fiber intake and hydration. Option A is incorrect as high-protein foods can worsen constipation. Option C is unnecessary as dietary adjustments should be tried first. Option D is incorrect as constipation may persist and needs active management.
Question 3 of 9
When should a nurse be most alert to the possibility of communication errors resulting in harm to the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Change of shift report. During this time, vital patient information is transferred between nurses, making it crucial to be alert to communication errors. Patient safety relies on accurate and clear communication. Other choices (B, C, D) involve important communication opportunities, but the handover of information during shift change is when critical details can be missed or misunderstood, leading to potential harm. It is essential for nurses to focus on effective communication during this transition to ensure continuity of care and patient safety.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client recovering from an acute myocardial infarction. Which following intervention should the nurse include in the point of care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Draw a troponin level every four hours. Troponin levels are important indicators of myocardial infarction. Drawing troponin levels every four hours allows the nurse to closely monitor the client's cardiac enzyme levels for any signs of ongoing myocardial damage. This frequent monitoring helps in early detection of complications and guides further treatment decisions. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: B: Performance EKG every 12 hours - While EKG monitoring is important in assessing cardiac function, performing it every 12 hours may not be as frequent as needed in the acute phase post-myocardial infarction. C: Plant oxygen tent fell over minutes via rebreather mask - This intervention does not directly address the client's recovery from myocardial infarction and is not a standard post-MI care measure. D: Obtain a cardiac rehabilitation consult - While cardiac rehabilitation is essential for long-term recovery, it is not a point-of-care intervention immediately post-my
Question 5 of 9
A patient says, "People should be allowed to commit suicide without interference from others." A nurse replies, "You're wrong. Nothing is bad enough to justify death." What is the best analysis of this interchange?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: Identify the conflicting viewpoints - The patient believes in the right to die, while the nurse opposes this view. Step 2: Analyze the underlying values - The patient prioritizes autonomy, while the nurse emphasizes the sanctity of life. Step 3: Evaluate the correctness of each viewpoint - Both perspectives have validity based on individual values and beliefs. Step 4: Determine the best analysis - Choice D, "Differing values are reflected in the two statements," is correct as it acknowledges the clash of values without dismissing either perspective.
Question 6 of 9
Nurse Simon has just completed a psychosocial assessment of his client Juan. During the assessment, Nurse Simon listens to Juan and tries to make Juan feel respected by showing compassion and empathy. What method is Nurse Simon using?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the therapeutic relationship. Nurse Simon is using the therapeutic relationship method by actively listening to Juan, showing compassion, and empathy. This method focuses on building trust, respect, and rapport with the client to facilitate effective communication and promote positive outcomes in the therapeutic process. Summary of why the other choices are incorrect: B: Risk assessment is not the method being used here as Nurse Simon is focused on building a therapeutic relationship, not assessing potential risks. C: Spiritual awareness is not the method being used here as the scenario describes Nurse Simon showing compassion and empathy, not specifically focusing on spiritual beliefs or practices. D: Resilience strategy is not the method being used here as Nurse Simon is focused on establishing a therapeutic relationship, not implementing strategies to build resilience in the client.
Question 7 of 9
A patient with multi-infarct dementia lashes out and kicks at people who walk past in the hall of a skilled nursing facility. Intervention by the nurse should begin by
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because reassuring the patient that the environment is safe can help reduce their feelings of anxiety or fear, which may be causing the aggressive behavior. This approach focuses on creating a calming and supportive atmosphere, which is essential in managing challenging behaviors in dementia patients. A: Gently touching the patient's arm may escalate the situation and provoke a negative response. B: Asking the patient 'What do you need?' may not address the underlying cause of the behavior and could be perceived as confrontational. D: Directing the patient to cease the behavior may be seen as threatening and could lead to further aggression.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse is assessing the sleep patterns of a 70-year-old female client with a mental disorder. Based on the knowledge of circadian rhythms and the influence of age, which of the following would the nurse anticipate that the client would report about her sleep pattern?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because as individuals age, their circadian rhythm tends to shift, resulting in feeling sleepier at night and more alert in the morning. This is known as advanced sleep phase syndrome, common in older adults. Choice A is incorrect as age-related changes in circadian rhythm lead to feeling differences in morning and evening. Choice C is incorrect as older adults often experience difficulty staying asleep rather than feeling sleepy in the morning. Choice D is incorrect as the quality and quantity of sleep become more important with age due to changes in sleep patterns.
Question 9 of 9
A couple is concerned that the husband's father may be developing depression. In questioning the couple, which of the following statements would support their concern?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The correct answer is C because it indicates a prolonged period of over 2 months of persistent symptoms such as crying, inability to eat or sleep. Step 2: This prolonged duration of symptoms is indicative of a potential depressive episode. Step 3: The inability to eat or sleep are common symptoms of depression. Step 4: This statement highlights a significant change in the father's behavior following the mother's death, suggesting a possible depressive disorder. Summary: Choice A: The duration of symptoms is not as prolonged as in choice C. Choice B: While agitation and anxiety can be symptoms of depression, they are not as specific or severe as the symptoms in choice C. Choice D: The timeframe of symptoms mentioned here is not as long as in choice C, making it less concerning for depression.