A client asks the nurse about the doctor’s comment that he may have problems due to
“delayed synaptic transmission” in his brain. The nurse explains that the best way to
describe a synaptic transmission is which of the following?
1. An electrochemical process called neurotransmission
2. Where the axon is released
3. When the receptors bind to neurons
4. The space where neurotransmitters match up with receptors
Answer:
The immune system is a complex system of cells, proteins, and functional systems.
When the brain directly influences the immune system, this can be interpreted as what
field of study?
1. Neuroendocrinology
2. Immunology
3. Psychoendocrinology
4. Psychoneuroimmunology
Answer:
The white blood cell count of the client on clozapine (Clozaril) is 2.8. What action
should the nurse take?
1. Hold the medication and call the psychiatrist.
2. Administer the medication and monitor the next count.
3. Monitor the client for orthostatic hypotension.
4. Check to see if the thyroid levels are normal.
Answer:
The nurse is sharing client assessment data with the multidisciplinary health care team.
Which comment by the nurse is irrelevant and indicates a misunderstanding of the
concept of a mental disorder?
1. “The client reports significant emotional distress about the current situation.”
2. “The client reports a loss of interest in usual pleasurable activities and
commitments.”
3. “The client denies thoughts of harming self or others.”
4. “The client has some very inappropriate religious ideas and spiritual beliefs.”
Answer:
The nurse engaged in a therapeutic relationship with a client uses nonverbal
communication to:
1. Enhance verbal messages.
2. Avoid the use of verbal messages.
3. Detract from verbal messages.
4. Terminate the therapeutic relationship.
Answer:
During the initial interview with a client, the nurse notices that the client changes the
topic when the subject of the client’s marital relationship is approached. The nurse is
guided by the knowledge of which of the following?
1. Discussion of sensitive issues should only occur in the working phase.
2. Formulation of nursing diagnoses should be avoided until all essential data is
obtained.
3. Information that is avoided or omitted is often more crucial than what is shared.
4. Avoidance of a topic is a sign of resistance that will disappear when initial anxiety is
decreased.
Answer:
Select the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with a Global Assessment of
Functioning (GAF) score of 10.
1. Risk for Impaired Social Interaction
2. Risk for Injury
3. Knowledge Deficit
4. Risk for Communication Deficit
Answer:
Which of the following is an example of clarifying a client’s verbal response?
1. “Are you saying you feel the medicine is helping you?”
2. “See, the medicine does work.”
3. “I knew it would work; it just takes time.”
4. “Everything seems to work out eventually.”
Answer:
The nurse is conducting training for crisis counselors. The nurse would include the
intervention strategies of safety and security, ventilate and validate, predict and prepare
which are:
1. A way to identify when the crisis is maturational.
2. Best used before a crisis.
3. Applied when the clients are unable to progress.
4. Referred to as the ABCs of crisis counseling.
Answer:
When the nurse reviews the effectiveness of the client’s lithium level, the nurse should
take into account which of the following client factors?
1. Marital status
2. Gender
3. Ethnicity
4. Weight
Answer:
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many individuals presented with signs and
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Of what type of risk factor is this an
example?
1. Ethnicity
2. Socioeconomic status
3. Social environment
4. Gender
Answer:
The psychiatric examination includes a psychiatric history and a mental status
assessment. When conducting the mental status assessment, the nurse:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Includes observations.
2. Limits the assessment to verbal responses.
3. Provides the client with a form to complete.
4. May or may not follow a strict sequence.
5. Uses a group format.
Answer:
The nurse caring for a client with an anxiety disorder knows to be most attentive to the
nurse’s:
1. Inability to assess the situation accurately.
2. Anxiety causing forgetfulness.
3. Inability to identify personal somatic problems.
4. Own overall feelings.
Answer:
In order to obtain detailed information that gives insight into how a client’s family may
function, the nurse knows to ask:
1. “What are your goals after discharge?”
2. “How often do you attend church?”
3. “What are your favorite foods?”
4. “Do you take your medicine at the same time every day?”
Answer:
Which of the following client behaviors is the best illustration of a positive response to
the therapeutic environment in an inpatient ward?
1. Sitting alone in the day room working a jigsaw puzzle
2. Watching television during leisure time
3. Napping in the dayroom after lunch
4. Signing up during the community meeting for ward duties
Answer: