RN HESI Mental Health 2023

Extract:

Question 1 of 5

The nurse is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A client with a known history of drug abuse reports having had a heart attack four years ago. Use of which substance places the client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Methamphetamine use is known to cause significant cardiovascular effects, including increased heart rate, blood pressure, and vasoconstriction, which can lead to myocardial infarction. Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to cardiovascular issues but is less potent than methamphetamine. Benzodiazepines primarily affect the central nervous system, not the cardiovascular system. Marijuana has cardiovascular effects but is generally less risky than methamphetamine.

Question 2 of 5

Which is the best approach for the nurse to use when interviewing a client about suicidal ideations?

A. Share personal values to put the client at ease B. Ask questions in a vague, non-specific format C. Begin with questions that are less sensitive in nature D. Get the most difficult questions over with first

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Beginning with less sensitive questions allows the client to gradually build trust and rapport with the nurse before addressing more sensitive topics like suicidal ideation. Sharing personal values may blur professional boundaries. Vague questions may not yield accurate information. Starting with difficult questions may overwhelm the client and hinder trust.

Question 3 of 5

A client with depression does not want to communicate with friends, uses television watching as a means of escaping responsibilities, and describes the inability to handle personal circumstances. Which coping strategy should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A. Concentrate on and ventilate emotions when distressed B. Relax and reduce the amount of effort to solve the problem C. Shift attention from self to the needs and requests of others D. Focus on small achievable tasks, not taxing problems

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Focusing on small achievable tasks promotes a sense of accomplishment, counteracting helplessness and supporting behavioral activation for depression. Ventilating emotions may not address avoidance. Reducing effort may worsen helplessness. Shifting attention to others does not directly address depressive symptoms.

Question 4 of 5

A client with schizophrenia returns to the clinic two weeks after receiving a prescription for haloperidol. To assess for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which information is most important for the nurse to obtain during this visit?

A. Current vital signs B. White blood cell count C. 24-hour urinary output D. Blood sugar level

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Current vital signs are critical for assessing NMS, a life-threatening side effect of haloperidol, indicated by fever, unstable blood pressure, and tachycardia. White blood cell count, urinary output, and blood sugar are less specific to NMS.

Question 5 of 5

The nurse is performing the admission assessment for a client with schizophrenia in an acute care inpatient facility. The nurse should identify which observed behavior is characteristic of schizophrenia?

A. Responds with illogical answers to questions B. Admits to frequently thinking about committing suicide C. Describes times of depression followed by feelings of euphoria D. Exhibits compulsive, ritualistic behaviors

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Responding with illogical answers indicates disorganized thinking, a hallmark of schizophrenia during psychosis. Suicide thoughts are not specific to schizophrenia. Depression and euphoria suggest bipolar disorder. Compulsive behaviors are more typical of OCD.