NCLEX-RN
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing NCLEX RN Questions Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
When conducting a mental status examination with a newly admitted client who has an Axis I diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, the client states, 'I'm being followed; it's not safe. They're monitoring my every move.' In which of the following areas of the mental status examination should be the mental status examined.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client's statement reflects paranoid delusions, which are assessed under thought content in a mental status examination, as this area evaluates the presence of delusions or hallucinations.
Question 2 of 5
A client demonstrates moderate anxiety regarding a pending medical procedure. The nurse should do which of the following to minimize the client's anxiety about the procedure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A short explanation followed by quick completion of the procedure minimizes anxiety. The client may be fearful of pain, and assuring him that there will be no pain offers false reassurance. A demonstration may cause increased anxiety. Informing the client that it is normal normalizes anxiety and puts the client more at ease, but it is not the most reassuring approach.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse on the Geropsychiatric unit receives a call from the son of a recently discharged client. He reports that his father just got a prescription for memantine (Namenda) to take 'on top of his donepezil (Aricept).' The son then asks, 'Why does he have to take extra medicines?' The nurse should tell the son:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Memantine and donepezil are often combined to target different aspects of dementia (cholinesterase inhibition and NMDA receptor regulation), slowing progression more effectively together.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse manager of a psychiatric unit notices that one of the nurses commonly avoids a 75-year-old client's company. Which of the following factors should the nurse manager identify as being the most likely cause of this nurse's discomfort with older clients?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fears and conflicts about aging are a common psychological reason for discomfort with elderly clients, as they may trigger personal anxieties about the nurse's own aging process.
Question 5 of 5
A 16-year-old client is prescribed 10 mg of paroxetine (Paxil) at bedtime for major depression. The nurse should instruct the client and parents to monitor the client closely for which adverse effect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Paroxetine can increase agitation, especially in adolescents, and may heighten suicide risk, requiring close monitoring.