The nurse instructs the clients to take the medications that are prescribed because the
psychiatrist knows what is best for the client. How would the nurse’s supervisor
evaluate the effectiveness of the nurse’s teaching?
1. The nurse is demonstrating a paternalistic attitude that may contribute to client
nonadherence.
2. Teaching the client to take all medications should help keep the client out of the
hospital.
3. The nurse is helping the client develop trust in the psychiatrist.
4. The nurse is giving simple instructions that will be readily accepted by the client.
Answer:
A client with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder asks the nurse what caused the illness.
What should the nurse tell the client regarding the genetic transmission of bipolar
disorder?
1. Bipolar disorder is caused by environmental factors.
2. There is no known cause for the development of bipolar disorder.
3. There appears to be a genetic link in the transmission of bipolar disease.
4. There is one single gene responsible for bipolar disorder.
Answer:
The nurse working with a client who is a survivor of a four-car accident knows that
there are risk factors that influence this client’s response to the traumatic experience.
The risk factors are:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Prior history of crises.
2. Believing that receiving help is a sign of weakness.
3. Cultural expectations that prohibit asking others for help.
4. Feelings of loss.
5. Pre-existing psychiatric symptoms and diagnosis.
Answer:
During an admission assessment of an adolescent client, the nurse inquires about
friends or peer groups. The adolescent smiles and jokingly tells the nurse that “I
consider myself a loner and I don”t need any friends.” The nurse’s next action is to:
1. Ask the client how he/she gets along in school.
2. Ask the client to explain why he/she feels this way.
3. Document this in the admission assessment.
4. Encourage exploration of feelings.
Answer:
The nurse is teaching an alcoholic patient about the importance of proper nutrition.
Which of the following nutritional recommendations is appropriate for clients with
alcohol dependence?
1. Restrict fluid intake to decrease renal load
2. Provide a multivitamin supplementation, including thiamine and folate
3. Encourage a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet to promote lean body mass
4. Increase sodium-rich foods to increase iodine levels
Answer:
A client was admitted for psychosis and aggressive behavior. The client has been
noncompliant with the antipsychotic medication because the client says it makes the
client’s jaw tight and neck stiff. The client is becoming increasingly agitated and needs
a quick-acting medication. Which medication would the nurse expect to give?
1. Benztropine (Cogentin)
2. Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
3. Risperidone (Risperdal)
4. Zolpidem (Ambien)
Answer:
The nurse is assessing a client’s current progress in the nurse”client relationship. Which
of the following behaviors would indicate to the nurse that the client is beginning the
termination phase of the nurse”client relationship?
1. The client verbalizes willingness to change ineffective coping patterns and
self-defeating behaviors.
2. The client expresses awareness of potential causes of dysfunctional behavioral
patterns.
3. The client uses effective problem-solving strategies on a daily basis.
4. The client requests clarification of the roles and responsibilities in relationship work.
Answer:
The nurse has just taken a continuing education class on assertive communication
techniques. Which response best demonstrates that the nurse understands assertive
behavior?
1. “No, I cannot work for you on Sunday.”
2. “Yes, they always ignore staff requests.”
3. “It would be selfish to ask for time off.”
4. “I will demand a change in my schedule.”
Answer:
The nurse knows that when performing a lethality assessment, asking the client, “Have
you ever thought of taking your own life?” may:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Cause the client to think about suicide.
2. Alleviate the client’s anxiety about considering suicide.
3. Be direct enough to promote effective communication.
4. Give the client an idea about suicide methods.
5. Cause the client to open up about other attempts.
Answer:
A client with bipolar disorder, mania, states, “I had a test to look at my ventricles before
I came in.” The nurse thinks it most likely was a/an:
1. Electroencephalography (EEG).
2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
3. Polysomnography.
4. Single photon-emission computed tomography.
Answer:
A nurse making rounds hears sounds coming from an adolescent’s room. When
checking on the client, the nurse hears noises coming from the bathroom, and suspects
that the client is masturbating. Which are the most appropriate actions in this situation?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Wait until the client comes out of the bathroom.
2. Pretend she did not hear anything.
3. Discuss the inappropriate behavior.
4. Examine his/her personal feelings about what might be happening.
5. Knock on the door before entering the bathroom.
Answer:
A thorough biopsychosocial assessment of elders includes:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Spirituality
2. Social supports
3. Coping strategies
4. Sexuality
5. Early childhood interactions
Answer:
The student nurse realizes that individuals who self-mutilate may:
1. Process feeling verbally if someone listens.
2. Never learn how to control their urges.
3. Cut for attention only.
4. Have difficulty processing feelings.
Answer:
The nurse is validating what was observed before documenting in the progress note.
Validation is used as a mechanism to ensure which of the following?
1. The client’s affect is appropriate to the situation
2. The client’s perception of the response is communicated
3. The client’s request is clarified
4. The client’s need for further intervention is understood
Answer:
The psychiatric nurse knows that maladaptive grief reactions and perceptions of blame
are reduced in nurse-led counseling programs. Nursing students should be taught to
include the following outreach services for families and significant others who survive
suicide:
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Take the bereaved on family outings for a year.
2. Arrange for staff or a representative to attend any funeral services.
3. Involve families in psychoeducational and family network services.
4. Make frequent telephone calls to the family immediately after the suicide and
periodically until the first anniversary of the death.
5. Involve the family in a bereavement support group.
Answer:
A 30-year-old man is accused of sexual assault and is arrested by law enforcement.
During the interview with the forensic nurse, the client uses flattery and compliments
the nurse’s interview skills. He asks the nurse for her phone number so his lawyer can
contact her as an expert witness for his case. How should the nurse respond?
1. Tell the client that she is listed in the phone book.
2. In a way that establishes the boundaries of the nurse”client relationship.
3. Tell the client that the nurse is working for the prosecution.
4. In a way that nurtures the client’s feelings.
Answer:
Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to the client with bulimia
nervosa?
1. Prozac
2. Prolixin
3. Benadryl
4. Ritalin
Answer:
The nurse knows that performing an assessment on a client with dissociative disorder
can be challenging. The nurse knows it is important to include which of the following in
the assessment?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Memory
2. Identity
3. Consciousness
4. Client’s spouse
5. Awareness of time
Answer:
The nurse is having lunch with colleagues from a medical-surgical unit. One of the
medical-surgical nurses states, “I don”t know how you can work with psych patients!
They scare the heck out of me.” How should the nurse respond?
1. “It’s not that bad, and most of the clients are not that scary.”
2. “The clients I work with have physical disorders just like the clients you work with.”
3. “I don”t know; sometimes I wonder what I am doing.”
4. “I must have better nursing skills than you do.”
Answer:
A client who abuses alcohol was brought to the hospital as a police hold after a fight
with his wife. When the client is sober, the nurse recognizes that the client is using a
defensive behavior called rationalization. Which statement did the client make?
1. “I don”t remember doing any of those things.”
2. “The police are always out to get me; I bet they were watching my house.”
3. “I just needed my space. If she had just left me alone, I wouldn”t have hit her.”
4. “When my wife comes in, tell her to take the money I left in the hospital safe.”
Answer: