ATI LPN
Pediatric Mental Health NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The 10-year-old client and parents arrive for an out-patient appointment. The child has been taking haloperidol (Haldol) for one year. Which statement by the parents should the nurse promptly report to the physician?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Haloperidol, an antipsychotic, can cause tardive dyskinesia, characterized by involuntary movements of the mouth, lips, and trunk, especially after long-term use (e.g., one year). This is a serious side effect requiring immediate physician attention. Parkinson-like symptoms (A) are possible but less urgent unless severe, weight gain (B) is a common side effect but not immediately critical, and lack of improvement (D) warrants discussion but isn’t an acute concern.
Question 2 of 5
Mental illness in children can be defined as:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mental illness in children encompasses a broad range of symptoms and behaviors, including distorted self-perception, difficulty adhering to societal or environmental expectations, and impaired insight into their own capabilities and the consequences of their actions. Option D includes all these aspects, making it the most comprehensive and correct definition.
Question 3 of 5
A mother states that her 11-year-old son has really started to change in his understanding of concepts. The nurse knows that this could be true because:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Around age 11, children undergo significant neurodevelopment, including synaptic pruning and myelination, which enhance cognitive abilities and abstract thinking, resembling adult brain patterns. While puberty (A) and hormones (B) play roles, the rewiring of brain connections (D) is the primary developmental explanation.
Question 4 of 5
Learning disabilities in children have scientifically been linked to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Learning disabilities have a strong genetic basis, with research showing hereditary patterns in conditions like dyslexia. While nutrition (A) and environment (B) can influence development, and TV (D) may affect attention, genetics (C) is the most scientifically established cause.
Question 5 of 5
A teenager diagnosed with borderline personality disorder should have discharge planning instructions of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder benefits from a strong support network to manage emotional instability. Family and friends (C) provide stability, unlike the less specific (A, B) or inappropriate (D) options.