NCLEX-RN
Psychiatric NCLEX RN Questions Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client moves in with her family after her boyfriend of 4 weeks told her to leave. She is admitted to the subacute unit after complaining of feeling empty and lonely, being unable to sleep, and eating very little for the last week. Her arms are scarred from frequent self-mutilation. The nurse should do which of the following from first to last?
Order the Items
Source Container
Correct Answer: A, C, B, D
Rationale: The order is: 1) Monitor for suicide and self-mutilation to ensure safety (
A). 2) Monitor sleeping and eating behaviors to address physical health (
C). 3) Discuss loneliness and emptiness to explore emotional triggers (
B). 4) Discuss housing options to plan for discharge (
D). This prioritizes safety, then physical and emotional needs, and finally future planning.
Question 2 of 5
The client who has a history of using angry outbursts when frustrated begins to curse at the nurse during an appointment after being informed that she will have to wait to have her medication refilled. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Saying 'I will not continue to talk with you if you curse' sets a clear boundary, addresses the inappropriate behavior, and maintains a therapeutic interaction without escalation.
Question 3 of 5
When assessing a hospitalized client diagnosed with Major Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder, the nurse should ask the client about which of the following first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about suicidal plans first is critical, as it directly assesses the immediate risk and specificity of intent, guiding safety interventions for a client with these diagnoses.
Question 4 of 5
A client is entering rehabilitation for alcohol dependency as an alternative to going to jail for multiple DUI's (driving under the influence). While obtaining the client's history, the nurse asks about the amount of alcohol he consumes daily. He responds, 'I just have a few drinks with the guys after work.' Which of the following responses by the nurse is most therapeutic?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Saying 'You say you have a few drinks, but you have multiple arrests' is therapeutic, as it gently confronts the client's minimization, linking his behavior to consequences and encouraging reflection.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following statements by the nurse participating in a group confrontation of a coworker's most helpful in reducing the coworker's denial about alcohol being a problem?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Saying 'You have alcohol on your breath' is most helpful, as it provides concrete evidence of the problem, directly challenging denial in a factual manner.