NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Questions on Psychiatric Nursing Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client with a history of domestic violence is anxious about returning home. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing safety concerns identifies specific risks and guides the plan, prioritizing the client's safety. Providing resources, encouraging confrontation, or contacting the partner are premature or unsafe without understanding the situation.
Question 2 of 5
The client in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease and his adult son attend an appointment at the community mental health center. While conversing with the nurse, the son states, 'I'm tired of hearing about how things were 30 years ago. Why does Dad always talk about the past?' The nurse should tell the son:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In early Alzheimer's, short-term memory is impaired, but long-term memory remains intact, explaining the client's focus on past events.
Question 3 of 5
The client tells the nurse at the outpatient clinic that she doesn't need to attend groups because she's 'not a regular like these other people here.' Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Saying 'You say you're not a regular here, but you're experiencing what others are experiencing' validates the client's feelings while gently challenging her denial, encouraging engagement in treatment.
Question 4 of 5
A client diagnosed with bulimia tells the nurse she only eats excessively when upset with her best friend, and then she vomits to avoid gaining a lot of weight. The nurse should next:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Working to limit purging addresses the harmful behavior directly while therapy can explore the emotional trigger.
Question 5 of 5
A client is receiving haloperidol decanoate (Haldol decanoate). He begins to complain of stiff muscles, restlessness, and internal jumpiness. The client has all of the following medications ordered as needed. Which one would be most appropriate for the nurse to administer to decrease the client's symptoms?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms described (stiff muscles, restlessness, internal jumpiness) indicate extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) from haloperidol, which benztropine, an anticholinergic, effectively treats.