ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing Nclex Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 2 of 5
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 3 of 5
A son brings his father to the clinic and tells the nurse that his father has begun to act strangely in the past few days and has unprovoked outbursts of anger. After the incidents, the father expresses remorse for his outburst. The son says, 'I've never seen him act this way.' Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask next?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Has your father suffered any traumatic injury to his brain recently?" This question is most appropriate because sudden changes in behavior, unprovoked anger outbursts, and subsequent remorse could be indicative of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can lead to various cognitive and emotional changes. It is crucial to investigate if there has been any recent head trauma that could explain the sudden behavioral changes. Choice A is incorrect because panic disorder typically presents with recurrent panic attacks and not necessarily unprovoked anger outbursts. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on anger expression issues rather than potential brain injury. Choice D is incorrect as it only pertains to a recent physical injury to the head or neck, which may not necessarily explain the behavioral changes observed.
Question 4 of 5
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.
Question 5 of 5
A woman diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder comes to the clinic with her husband. During the visit, the husband states, She's always checking and rechecking to make sure that all of the appliances are turned off before we go out. It's nerve-wracking. We can never get out of the house on time. Isn't checking once enough? An understanding of which of the following would the nurse need to incorporate into the response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The client performs the ritual to relieve anxiety temporarily. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, repetitive behaviors such as checking are done to alleviate distress or anxiety, providing temporary relief. This behavior is a coping mechanism to manage overwhelming feelings of anxiety. The husband's observation of the wife's constant checking behavior indicates that she is engaging in this ritual to reduce her anxiety. Understanding this aspect is crucial for the nurse to provide appropriate support and interventions to help the client manage her symptoms effectively. Choice A (The client is attempting to exert control over the situation) is incorrect because the primary motivation behind compulsive behaviors in OCD is not about exerting control but rather reducing anxiety. Choice C (The woman's behavior reflects a need for safety) is incorrect as the main driver behind OCD behaviors is not necessarily related to safety concerns but rather to managing anxiety. Choice D (The woman is attempting to use thought stopping to decrease her behavior) is incorrect because thought stopping is a cognitive technique that is