ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing Nclex Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 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 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 nurse wants to enhance growth of a patient by showing positive regar The nurse's action most likely to achieve this goal is
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choosing answer B: 1. Positive regard involves showing empathy and support. 2. Staying with a tearful patient shows empathy and emotional support. 3. Emotional support can enhance patient growth and well-being. 4. Making rounds, administering medication, and examining personal feelings do not directly show empathy or emotional support. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect as making rounds is a routine task, not focused on emotional support. - Choice C is incorrect as administering medication is a clinical task, not centered on emotional support. - Choice D is incorrect as examining personal feelings does not directly provide emotional support to the patient.
Question 4 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 5 of 9
A nurse is assessing a client who is a survivor of abuse. Which of the following would be most appropriate to use when conducting a lethality assessment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Danger Assessment Screen. This tool is specifically designed to assess the risk of lethality in individuals who have experienced abuse. It includes questions related to the severity and frequency of abuse, as well as other risk factors such as access to weapons and history of threats. It helps identify clients at high risk of harm or death. B: Abuse Assessment Screen is a screening tool to identify abuse but does not specifically focus on lethality risk. C: Burgess-Partner Abuse Scale is a measure of the frequency and severity of intimate partner violence, but it does not assess lethality risk. D: Beck Depression Inventory is a tool to assess the severity of depression and is not designed to evaluate the risk of harm or death in abuse survivors.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse most likely identify as the priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Disturbed Body Image. This is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with body dysmorphic disorder because it directly addresses the client's preoccupation and distress related to perceived flaws in appearance. By addressing the disturbed body image, the nurse can help the client work through these feelings and improve self-perception. Choice B: Ineffective Coping may be relevant but addressing the underlying body image distortion is crucial. Choice C: Low Self-Esteem is a common issue with body dysmorphic disorder but improving body image perception is more specific. Choice D: Risk for Other-Directed Violence is not directly related to body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. In summary, addressing the core issue of distorted body image is the priority in caring for a client with body dysmorphic disorder.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is about to be discharged and is facing the stressor of acquiring independent employment. Using a behavioral approach, which nursing intervention is most appropriate in meeting this client's needs?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Role-playing a job interview with the client. This intervention aligns with the behavioral approach by providing the client with practical skills to address the stressor of acquiring independent employment. Role-playing allows the client to practice and improve their interview skills, enhancing their confidence and ability to secure a job. A: Teaching the client to "thought block" auditory hallucinations is more aligned with cognitive-behavioral approaches and not directly related to employment needs. C: Advocating for adequate housing is important but not directly addressing the client's need for employment. D: Discussing the use of prn medications focuses on symptom management rather than improving the client's ability to secure employment.
Question 9 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.