ATI RN
Nclex Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 2 of 5
A patient has been admitted to the detoxification unit after binge drinking. Even though the patient is not currently intoxicated, he is combative and exhibits altered thought processes. Which nursing diagnosis would be the priority?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C: Risk for Other-Directed Violence related to alcohol withdrawal Rationale: 1. The patient is exhibiting combative behavior and altered thought processes, indicating potential for violent behavior towards others. 2. Other-directed violence encompasses harm towards others, making it a priority to ensure the safety of both the patient and others. 3. This diagnosis addresses the immediate safety concern and allows for interventions to prevent harm to others. Incorrect Choices: A: Risk for Injury - Focuses on self-injury, not directed towards others. B: Risk for Self-Mutilation - Similar to choice A, does not address potential harm towards others. D: Risk for Delayed Development - Not relevant to the current situation of altered thought processes and combative behavior.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with schizophrenia. Which method would the nurse use to be most effective?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because having the client write down information after being directly given the correct information is most effective for clients with schizophrenia. This method helps reinforce learning through repetition and aids memory retention. Writing down information also allows the client to refer back to it for reinforcement. A: Engaging the client in trial and error learning can be frustrating and overwhelming for someone with schizophrenia, leading to confusion. C: Asking the client to guess at the correct answer may increase anxiety and decrease confidence, which can hinder the learning process. D: Using colorful visual aids may be distracting and overwhelming for a client with schizophrenia, making it harder to focus on the information being presented.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is assessing a client who is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Which client statement indicates the client is at risk for self-injurious behavior?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because impulsivity is a common characteristic of borderline personality disorder and can lead to self-injurious behaviors. The statement "It is almost as if as soon as I think of doing something, I immediately do it" indicates a lack of impulse control and potential for engaging in harmful behaviors without considering consequences. A: This statement expresses feelings of depression but does not directly indicate self-injurious behavior risk. B: This statement suggests a lack of autonomy but does not directly indicate self-injurious behavior risk. C: This statement describes dissociation, which is common in borderline personality disorder but does not directly indicate self-injurious behavior risk. In summary, choice D is the correct answer as it directly implies impulsivity and potential for self-injurious behavior, while the other choices do not clearly indicate this risk.
Question 5 of 5
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.