ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing Nclex Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse inspects an inpatient psychiatric unit and finds that exits are free of obstructions, no one is smoking, and the janitor's closet is locke These observations relate to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, management of milieu safety. This is because the nurse's observations pertain to ensuring a safe and secure environment within the psychiatric unit. Checking for unobstructed exits, no smoking, and a locked janitor's closet are all crucial aspects of maintaining a safe milieu for patients. A: Coordinating care of patients is not directly related to the observations mentioned. C: Management of the interpersonal climate focuses on relationships and communication among patients and staff, not physical safety measures. D: The use of therapeutic intervention strategies involves treatment modalities and interventions for patient care, which is not the primary focus of the nurse's observations.
Question 2 of 9
A patient who has attempted suicide with a drug overdose has been released from an inpatient setting and has returned to school. The patient continues to need routine psychiatric services. The nurse anticipates that this patient will most likely be referred to which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Intensive outpatient program. This option is most appropriate as the patient still requires ongoing psychiatric services but does not need the level of care provided in a partial hospitalization program. In-home mental health care may not provide the structured support needed. Crisis center in the community is more for immediate intervention, not ongoing care. The intensive outpatient program offers a balance of support and independence for the patient transitioning back to school.
Question 3 of 9
A psychiatric nurse is working in a community mental health center. They are completing an assessment on a 32-year-old pregnant female presenting with depression. They note that the client has not answered the questions about alcohol and tobacco use. Why is it important to gather this information?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing alcohol and tobacco use in a pregnant client with depression is crucial for providing comprehensive care. First, substance use can exacerbate mental health symptoms and impact treatment effectiveness. Second, substance use during pregnancy can harm both the mother and the unborn child, leading to adverse health outcomes. Third, this information is vital for developing a holistic care plan that considers both the mental health needs of the client and the safety of the unborn child. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because: A: Failing to assess alcohol and tobacco use neglects essential information that can impact the client's well-being and treatment. C: Substance use during pregnancy can have significant long-term effects on the unborn child's health and development. D: Assessing alcohol and tobacco use is not optional, as it directly influences the client's mental health and the well-being of the unborn child.
Question 4 of 9
The nurse is assessing a 78-year-old client who lives alone in his own home. To assess the client's instrumental activities of daily living, which question would be most appropriate to ask?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because assessing the client's ability to go to the store and buy groceries directly evaluates their instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which are crucial for independent living. This question helps determine the client's mobility, cognitive function, and ability to manage finances and nutrition. Choices A and B focus more on basic activities of daily living (ADLs) related to personal hygiene and clothing changes. Choice C is related to cooking meals, which is also an IADL but may not provide as comprehensive information about the client's overall independence compared to the ability to shop for groceries.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is working with a family and using the Calgary Family Model. Problems have been identified, and the family being in which stage of the model?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assessment. In the Calgary Family Model, the Assessment stage involves identifying and understanding the problems within the family system. This is where the nurse gathers information about the family's strengths, resources, and challenges. The nurse assesses the family's structure, communication patterns, roles, and interactions to develop a comprehensive understanding of the family dynamics. Engaging with the family (Choice A) occurs before the Assessment stage. Intervention (Choice C) comes after the Assessment stage when specific strategies are implemented. Termination (Choice D) is the final stage when the nurse concludes their work with the family.
Question 6 of 9
Which statement made by the nurse demonstrates the best understanding of nonverbal communication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it highlights the importance of checking for congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication to validate responses. This demonstrates an understanding that nonverbal cues can provide additional insights into a patient's true feelings or thoughts. Choice A is incorrect as it simply states a general observation without emphasizing the significance of nonverbal cues. Choice C is incorrect because assuming a patient's emotions based solely on body posture is not accurate or reliable. Choice D is incorrect as it undervalues the importance of nonverbal communication in understanding the complete message being conveyed.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse in a County Jail health clinic is leading group therapy session. A client who was incarcerated for theft is addressing the group. Which of the following is an example of reaction formation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where a person behaves in a way that is opposite to their true feelings or impulses. In this scenario, choice D demonstrates reaction formation because the client is expressing a belief that people who steal are lazy and should earn money honestly, which is opposite to their own behavior of stealing. This behavior helps the client deny their true feelings of guilt or shame about their actions. Choices A, B, and C do not exhibit reaction formation as they do not involve expressing beliefs or behaviors opposite to their true feelings or impulses.
Question 8 of 9
A nursing student states to the instructor,"I'm afraid of clients with mental illness. They are all violent." Which of the following statements would the instructor use to clarify this perception for the student? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Choice B is correct as it addresses the misconception by stating that only a very few clients with mental illness exhibit violent behaviors, helping the student understand that violence is not a common trait among all clients with mental illness. 2. Choice A is incorrect as it perpetuates the misconception by suggesting that most clients with mental illness are violent, even though de-escalation techniques can be used. 3. Choice C is incorrect as it implies that medications are the sole solution to prevent violent behaviors, which is not always the case. 4. Choice D is incorrect as it oversimplifies the issue by suggesting that only paranoid clients exhibit violent behaviors, which is not true for all clients with mental illness.
Question 9 of 9
A client with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine because other prescribed medications have been ineffective. After teaching the client and family about the drug, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when they state which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "We'll need to make sure that he has his blood count checked at least weekly." Rationale: 1. Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a severe decrease in white blood cells. 2. Monitoring blood counts weekly is crucial to detect early signs of agranulocytosis and intervene promptly. 3. Regular blood count monitoring allows for timely adjustments in medication dosage to prevent serious complications. Summary: A: Although monitoring the client's heart is important, regular electrocardiograms are not specifically required for clozapine. C: Smoking does affect clozapine levels, but this choice does not address the crucial need for blood count monitoring. D: Weight loss is a potential side effect of clozapine, but it is not the most critical monitoring parameter for this medication.