NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Psychosocial Integrity Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for an anxious client who has an open pneumothorax and a sucking chest wound. An occlusive dressing has been applied to the site. Which intervention by the nurse would best relieve the client's anxiety?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Staying with the client has a twofold benefit. First, it relieves the anxiety of the dyspneic client. In addition, the nurse must stay with the client to observe respiratory status after the application of the occlusive dressing. It is possible that the dressing could convert the open pneumothorax to a closed (tension) pneumothorax, which would result in a sudden decline in respiratory status and a mediastinal shift. If this occurs, the nurse is present and able to remove the dressing immediately. Option 2 is nontherapeutic. Interpreting the arterial blood gas report and promoting coughing and deep breathing have no immediate benefits for the client who is in distress.
Question 2 of 5
A client with schizophrenia states to the nurse, 'I am a spy for the FBI. I am an eye, an eye in the sky.' Based on this information, the nurse knows that the client is exhibiting which abnormal thought process?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The repetition of words or phrases that are similar in sound and in no other way (rhyming) is one altered thought and language pattern seen in clients with schizophrenia. Clang associations often take the form of rhyming. Echolalia is the involuntary parrot-like repetition of words spoken by others. Word salad is the use of words with no apparent meaning attached to them or to their relationship to one another. Loosened associations occur when the individual speaks with frequent changes of subject and when the content is only obliquely related.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse overhears the supervisor reprimand the charge nurse for not discussing feelings with a client. Shortly after, a client asks the charge nurse for an extra blanket. The charge nurse angrily responds, 'Get it yourself!' The nurse recognizes the charge nurse is displaying which defense mechanism?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from one target to another. The charge nurse, upset from the reprimand, displaces anger onto the client by responding harshly to a simple request, rather than addressing the supervisor.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a terminally ill woman who is dying from diagnosed breast cancer. The nurse should know which client behavior is characteristic of anticipatory grieving?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse can determine the client's stage of anticipatory grief by observing the client's behavior. The remaining options are examples of dysfunctional grieving.
Question 5 of 5
A client suffering from visual hallucinations calls the nurse to her room and says, 'You need to hurry up and kill all these bugs on the wall before they get on me.' Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's perception without reinforcing the hallucination, promoting trust and reality orientation.