NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN Mental Health Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client is admitted after the police found he had been sleeping in his car for three nights. The client says, 'My wife kicked me out and is divorcing me. It wasn't my fault I was fired from work. My wife and boss are plotting against me because I am smarter than they are.' He then pounds the table and says, 'I'm not staying here, and you can't stop me.' Which of the following should be included in the client's plan of care? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B,C,E,F
Rationale: The client's plan should include anxiety and anger management (
B) to address his emotional outbursts, appropriate housing (
C) to resolve his homelessness, assault and escape precautions (E) due to his aggressive behavior and intent to leave, and suspiciousness and grandiosity issues (F) to address his paranoid and grandiose thoughts. Collateral information (
A) may be useful but is less immediate, and divorce counseling (
D) is premature without stabilizing his mental state.
Question 2 of 5
A client with panic disorder is taking alprazolam (Xanax) 1 mg P.O. three times daily. The nurse understands that this medication is effective in blocking the symptoms of panic because of its specific action on which of the following neurotransmitters?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alprazolam enhances GABA, reducing panic symptoms.
Question 3 of 5
When a client who exhibits feelings of inferiority is asked to attend group activities, she gets more anxious. Within 10 minutes, she begins ridiculing others in the group and receives negative attention. Which of the following statements best reflects the nurse's interpretation of the client's behavior? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: Increased anxiety can lead to defensive behaviors like ridiculing others (
A). Negative attention can reinforce such behaviors (
B), and for some clients, any attention is preferable to none (
C). Excluding the client (
D) or assuming medication is needed (E) does not address the underlying behavior dynamics.
Question 4 of 5
When a client is about to lose control, the extra staff commonly stay at a distance from the client unless asked to move closer by the nurse who is talking to the client. Which of the following best explains the primary rationale for staying at a distance initially?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Staying at a distance prevents the client from feeling threatened, as they may perceive others as closer in a heightened state of agitation, reducing the risk of escalation. The other options are less directly related to the client's perception of threat.
Question 5 of 5
A client ashamedly tells the nurse that he hit his wife while intoxicated and asks the nurse if his wife will ever forgive him. The nurse should reply to the client by saying:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Saying 'That's something you can explore in family therapy' is most therapeutic, as it encourages addressing the issue constructively in a supported setting, promoting accountability and healing.