The student nurse asks why the nurse is documenting the client’s nonverbal responses in
addition to verbal responses during the initial assessment. Which of the following
statements made by the nurse reflects the rationale for documenting both verbal and
nonverbal responses?
1. “It is the hospital policy to document both.”
2. “It is important to be thorough when documenting.”
3. “Documenting both permits the reader to compare the behaviors for congruence.”
4. “Charting verbal and nonverbal helps me remain objective.”
Answer:
The client with bipolar disorder, who is on Divalproex, asks the nurse why the
psychiatrist ordered an anticonvulsant when the client has no history of seizures.
1. Clients with bipolar disorder are at increased risk of having seizures and are treated
to prevent them.
2. Divalproex is not an anticonvulsant; it is an antipsychotic medication.
3. The client must be on another medication that lowers the seizure threshold and the
Divalproex is protective.
4. Several anticonvulsant medications, including Divalproex, are used as mood
stabilizers.
Answer:
Which statement made by a nurse indicates an understanding of the basic premises of
psychobiology?
1. “All mental disorders can now be fully classified and cured with biological
interventions.”
2. “By focusing on the biologic sciences, we will diminish the art of psychiatric”mental
health nursing.”
3. “Because of the advances in psychobiology, the role of psychiatric”mental health
nurses focuses primarily on medication monitoring.”
4. “Genetics, immunology, biorhythms, brain structure, and brain biochemistry all
influence mental disorders.”
Answer:
Crisis situations are turning points in a client’s life. This can result in:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Something close to a pre-crisis state of functioning.
2. A realistic perception of the event.
3. Dysfunctional personal coping.
4. Anticipatory guidance assistance.
5. A more negative or positive state.
Answer:
A client is voluntarily admitted to the mental health unit. The nurse knows that this
means:
1. The client gave informed consent for hospitalization.
2. The client has signed away all civil rights.
3. The client will need a court hearing within seven days.
4. The client has to remain hospitalized for three days.
Answer:
The home health nurse is caring for a number of clients with chronic illnesses. Given
World Health Organization (WHO) research, the nurse realizes that the client with
which of the following is at greatest risk for mental disability?
1. Bipolar disorder
2. Panic disorder
3. Psychotic disorders
4. Anxiety disorders
Answer:
Which of the following nursing interventions is not consistent with the philosophy of
psychiatric rehabilitation?
1. Performing a functional assessment of the client
2. Discharging a client from services when treatment goals are reached
3. Planning behavioral interventions that target specific functional deficits
4. Identifying highly individualized goals with the client
Answer:
The nurse is caring for a client from a different cultural background. The client has
difficulty expressing beliefs about the treatment plan to the physician. Which nursing
action would be most appropriate for this client?
1. The nurse should act as the cultural broker to bridge the gap between the client and
the physician.
2. The nurse should encourage the client to speak up when the physician is present.
3. The nurse should encourage the client to accept the plan of care as ordered.
4. The nurse should encourage the client to discuss concerns with the client’s spouse so
that the spouse can tell the physician.
Answer:
The nurse suspects a 75-year-old male client with a recent diagnosis of cancer is
contemplating suicide. Which one of the following cues indicates the highest suicide
potential?
1. Yearly updating his will
2. Complaining of chronic pain
3. Vague statements about future funeral plans
4. Buying a hand revolver
Answer:
During the assessment, the family nurse therapist inquires about weaknesses regarding
learning the client may have. The client becomes defensive and states, “You sure are
nosy!” Smiling, the nurse states, “I don”t mean to seem nosy, but I must ask these
questions to develop a plan that will work for you.” The nurse’s therapeutic response is
an attempt to ascertain:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. How the client interacts with family members.
2. Anecdotes from family and friends.
3. The psychiatrist’s progress notes.
4. Specific factors that have interfered with the success of a goal.
Answer:
The school nurse recommends that the parents of a student seek help because the
student is constantly in trouble and recently has set several small fires on school
grounds. The nurse is concerned because the child is manifesting signs of:
1. Conduct disorder.
2. Depression.
3. Oppositional defiant disorder.
4. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Answer:
A nurse is working with a family who is caring for their mother at home. They
complain that the strain of caring for her 24 hours a day is exhausting them. What is the
nurse’s best suggestion?
1. They place their mother in a nursing home
2. They hire a housekeeper
3. They obtain respite care to give them a break
4. They go into family therapy
Answer:
A nurse is studying personality disorders. What statement would indicate that the nurse
can differentiate between personality traits and personality disorders?
1. “Personality traits are persistent behavior traits that do not significantly interfere with
an individual’s life.”
2. “Personality traits are lifelong maladaptive patterns.”
3. “Personality traits are rigid, stereotyped behavioral patterns.”
4. “Personality traits are enduring and deviate from societal norms.”
Answer:
A 22-year-old suicidal client acknowledges being molested by her stepfather since she
was eight-years-old. The nurse knows this client’s self-destructive behavior is best
explained by:
1. Interpersonal theory.
2. Sociocultural theory.
3. Biologic theory.
4. Self-destructive behavior.
Answer:
Which of the following interventions promotes mindful listening in any health care
setting?
1. Telling the client to get off the phone
2. Encouraging the family to step outside before assessing the client
3. Turning off the television before interviewing a client
4. Asking clients what they would like to drink when taking medication
Answer:
The nurse is planning teaching for a staff seminar regarding psychiatric medication
administration. The nurse’s teaching should be guided by the knowledge that:
1. Sedation is a desirable side effect for older adults.
2. Falls and choking risk are increased by psychiatric medications.
3. Older adults are less prone to side effects than other age groups.
4. Standard adult dosages are well tolerated by older adults.
Answer:
As a nurse advocate for the reduction of family elder abuse, a nurse:
1. Locates community resources for families.
2. Educates the public about legal consequences of violent acts.
3. Helps abused victims make it to the hospital for treatment.
4. Encourages abusers to come forward to talk about their issues.
Answer:
The nurse is learning how to reduce the stigma associated with substance dependence.
What knowledge of psychobiology will help reduce the stigma?
1. Clients with alcohol dependence cannot be held accountable for their actions.
2. Relapse is a common feature of substance abuse.
3. There is heritability and predisposition to alcohol dependence as well as complex
environmental influences.
4. Alcoholics Anonymous is an accepted treatment approach.
Answer:
The nurse is discussing transsexualism with a client and family members, who raise the
question of what causes the condition. The nurse knows that the etiology of the
condition is:
1. Intrapersonal.
2. Unknown.
3. Biologic.
4. Sociocultural.
Answer:
The nurse plans to implement health promotion activities at the local senior citizen
center. Which one of the following strategies should the nurse include to meet the goal
of promoting relaxation and restoring balance?
1. Pet therapy
2. Tai Chi exercises
3. Social support groups
4. Reality orientation
Answer: