NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN Mental Health Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client has been in the critical care unit for 3 days following a severe myocardial infarction. Although he is medically stable, he has begun to have fluctuating episodes of consciousness, illogical thinking, and anxiety. He is picking at the air to 'catch these baby angels flying around my head.' While waiting for medical and psychiatric results, the nurse must intervene with the client's needs. Which of the following needs have the highest priority? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: Reducing stimuli (
A) minimizes confusion, avoiding challenges to hallucinations (
B) prevents agitation, and gently presenting reality (
D) supports orientation without confrontation. Assuming dementia (E) is premature, and orienting to medical condition (
C) may overwhelm the client.
Question 2 of 5
The client with an Axis I diagnosis of schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, is acutely psychotic and exhibits religious delusions and hallucinations, loose associations, and concrete thinking. When the nurse offers the client her medication, the client states, 'I don't need that. God will heal me.' The nurse should respond to the client by saying:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Explaining that the medication will help clear thoughts and reduce anxiety directly addresses the client's symptoms in a concrete way, encouraging adherence without challenging her religious beliefs.
Question 3 of 5
A client with dementia is disoriented to time. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A large clock and calendar provide visual cues to help orient the client, reducing confusion.
Question 4 of 5
A client with depression and suicidal ideation voices feelings of self-doubt and powerlessness and is very dependent on the nurse for most aspects of her care. According to Erikson's stages of growth and development, the nurse determines the client to be manifesting problems in which of the following stages?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Self-doubt and dependence reflect struggles with autonomy versus shame/doubt.
Question 5 of 5
The wife of a client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia visits 2 days after her husband's admission and states to the nurse, 'Why isn't he eating? He's still talking about his food being poisoned.' Which of the following appraisals by the nurse is most accurate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The wife's concern about her husband's refusal to eat due to delusions is reasonable, as it reflects a common symptom of paranoid schizophrenia that persists early in treatment.