• Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
NR 605 Diagnosis and Management in
Psychiatric-Mental Health 1 Across the
Lifespan I Practicum Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers
| Graded A+
The client who returned from the war 1 month ago is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
prescribed paroxetine (Paxil), an SSRI. The client asks the nurse, "Will this medication really help me? I don't like
feeling this way." Which statement is the nurse's best response?
1. "The medication will make you feel better within a couple of days."
2. "Why do you think the medication won't help you feel better?"
3. "Nothing really helps PTSD unless you go to counseling weekly."
P 1
, • Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
4. "Because the traumatic event was within 1 month, the Paxil should be helpful." –
Correct Answer :4. "Because the traumatic event was within 1 month, the Paxil should be helpful."
SSRIs reduce the three core symptoms of PTSD: re-experiencing, avoidance/ emotional numbing, and
hyperarousal. The medication is most effective if taken within 3 months of the traumatic event and may take up
to 2 or 3 months for maximal response
The elderly client diagnosed with a panic attack disorder is in the busy day room of a long-term care facility and
appears anxious, is starting to hyperventilate, is trembling, and is sweating. Which action should the nurse
implement first?
1. Administer the benzodiazepine alprazolam (Xanax)
2. Assess the client's vital signs
3. Remove the client from the day room
4. Administer the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline (Zoloft) - Correct Answer :3. Remove
the client from the day room
This is the most appropriate intervention; the nurse should remove the client from the busy day room to help
decrease the anxiety attack
The client with an anxiety disorder is prescribed the anxiolytic alprazolam (Xanax). The client calls the clinic and
reports a dizzy, weak feeling when getting out of the chair. Which action should the nurse take?
1. Instruct the client to quit taking the medication
2. Make an appointment for the client to come to the clinic
3. Determine if the client is drinking enough fluids
4. Discuss ways to prevent orthostatic hypotension - Correct Answer :4. Discuss ways to prevent orthostatic
hypotension
P 2
, • Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
Feeling dizzy and weak when getting out of a chair is indicative of orthostatic hypotension, which is a common
side effect of anti anxiety medications. The nurse should instruct the client to rise slowly from the sitting to
standing position to avoid dizziness
The conscious client was admitted to the emergency department with an overdose of the anxiolytic alpraxolam
(Xanax). Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
1. Prepare to administer an emetic with activated charcoal
2. Request a mental health consultation for the client
3. Prepare to administer the antidote flumazenil (Romazicon) IV
4. Determine why the client chose to overdose on the medication - Correct Answer :1. Prepare to administer an
emetic with activated charcoal
The first intervention in a case of Xanax overdose is to encourage vomiting--to remove the medication from the
stomach before the medication is metabolized and absorbed into the system. Administering an emetic with
activated charcoal would induce vomiting
The client is receiving the anxiolytic alprazolam (Xanax) for a generalized anxiety disorder. Which assessment
data best indicates the medication is effective?
1. The client reports not feeling anxious
2. The client's pulse is not greater than 100
3. The client's respiratory rate is not greater than 22
4. The client reports a "1" on a 1-10 anxiety scale - Correct Answer :4. The client reports a "1" on a 1-10 anxiety
scale
The best indicator of the medication's effectiveness is the client's objective report of his or her anxiety level
The client is having a CT scan and starts having a severe anxiety attack. The HCP prescribed the anxiolytic
diazepam (Valium), intravenous push. Which action should the nurse implement?
P 3
, • Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
1. Dilute the Valium with normal saline and administer IVP
2. Do not dilute the Valium and inject in a port closest to the client
3. Inject the Valium into a 50-mL normal saline bag and infuse
4. Question the order because Valium should not be administered IV - Correct Answer :2. Do not dilute the
Valium and inject in a port closest to the client
The nurse should administer the Valium undiluted over 2-3 minutes in the IV port closest to the client's hand so
the medication can get to the client's blood stream faster
The male client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the medical unit.
During the admission process the client tells the nurse that he cannot sleep without Valium, a benzodiazepine,
every night. Which action should the nurse take?
1. Inform the client that clients with COPD should not take Valium
2. Ask the client when was the last time he had any seizure activity
3. Determine what effect the Valium has on the client when he takes it
4. Ask the health-care provider for an order for Valium - Correct Answer :4. Ask the health-care provider for an
order for Valium
Benzodiazepines should be tapered off when the client is trying to stop taking them. The nurse should request
an order for the Valium
The elderly client being prepared for major abdominal surgery has been taking alprazolam (Xanax), a
benzodiazepine, PRN for many years for nerves. Which information should the nurse discuss with the HCP?
1. Discuss prescribing another benzodiazepine medication postoperatively
2. Make sure that the alprazolam (Xanax) is ordered after surgery
3. Taper the medication to prevent complications
4. Change the alprazolam (Xanax) to a medication for sleep - Correct Answer :1. Discuss prescribing another
benzodiazepine medication postoperatively
P 4
Health
NR 605 Diagnosis and Management in
Psychiatric-Mental Health 1 Across the
Lifespan I Practicum Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers
| Graded A+
The client who returned from the war 1 month ago is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
prescribed paroxetine (Paxil), an SSRI. The client asks the nurse, "Will this medication really help me? I don't like
feeling this way." Which statement is the nurse's best response?
1. "The medication will make you feel better within a couple of days."
2. "Why do you think the medication won't help you feel better?"
3. "Nothing really helps PTSD unless you go to counseling weekly."
P 1
, • Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
4. "Because the traumatic event was within 1 month, the Paxil should be helpful." –
Correct Answer :4. "Because the traumatic event was within 1 month, the Paxil should be helpful."
SSRIs reduce the three core symptoms of PTSD: re-experiencing, avoidance/ emotional numbing, and
hyperarousal. The medication is most effective if taken within 3 months of the traumatic event and may take up
to 2 or 3 months for maximal response
The elderly client diagnosed with a panic attack disorder is in the busy day room of a long-term care facility and
appears anxious, is starting to hyperventilate, is trembling, and is sweating. Which action should the nurse
implement first?
1. Administer the benzodiazepine alprazolam (Xanax)
2. Assess the client's vital signs
3. Remove the client from the day room
4. Administer the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline (Zoloft) - Correct Answer :3. Remove
the client from the day room
This is the most appropriate intervention; the nurse should remove the client from the busy day room to help
decrease the anxiety attack
The client with an anxiety disorder is prescribed the anxiolytic alprazolam (Xanax). The client calls the clinic and
reports a dizzy, weak feeling when getting out of the chair. Which action should the nurse take?
1. Instruct the client to quit taking the medication
2. Make an appointment for the client to come to the clinic
3. Determine if the client is drinking enough fluids
4. Discuss ways to prevent orthostatic hypotension - Correct Answer :4. Discuss ways to prevent orthostatic
hypotension
P 2
, • Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
Feeling dizzy and weak when getting out of a chair is indicative of orthostatic hypotension, which is a common
side effect of anti anxiety medications. The nurse should instruct the client to rise slowly from the sitting to
standing position to avoid dizziness
The conscious client was admitted to the emergency department with an overdose of the anxiolytic alpraxolam
(Xanax). Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
1. Prepare to administer an emetic with activated charcoal
2. Request a mental health consultation for the client
3. Prepare to administer the antidote flumazenil (Romazicon) IV
4. Determine why the client chose to overdose on the medication - Correct Answer :1. Prepare to administer an
emetic with activated charcoal
The first intervention in a case of Xanax overdose is to encourage vomiting--to remove the medication from the
stomach before the medication is metabolized and absorbed into the system. Administering an emetic with
activated charcoal would induce vomiting
The client is receiving the anxiolytic alprazolam (Xanax) for a generalized anxiety disorder. Which assessment
data best indicates the medication is effective?
1. The client reports not feeling anxious
2. The client's pulse is not greater than 100
3. The client's respiratory rate is not greater than 22
4. The client reports a "1" on a 1-10 anxiety scale - Correct Answer :4. The client reports a "1" on a 1-10 anxiety
scale
The best indicator of the medication's effectiveness is the client's objective report of his or her anxiety level
The client is having a CT scan and starts having a severe anxiety attack. The HCP prescribed the anxiolytic
diazepam (Valium), intravenous push. Which action should the nurse implement?
P 3
, • Psychiatric-Mental 09/09/2026
Health
1. Dilute the Valium with normal saline and administer IVP
2. Do not dilute the Valium and inject in a port closest to the client
3. Inject the Valium into a 50-mL normal saline bag and infuse
4. Question the order because Valium should not be administered IV - Correct Answer :2. Do not dilute the
Valium and inject in a port closest to the client
The nurse should administer the Valium undiluted over 2-3 minutes in the IV port closest to the client's hand so
the medication can get to the client's blood stream faster
The male client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the medical unit.
During the admission process the client tells the nurse that he cannot sleep without Valium, a benzodiazepine,
every night. Which action should the nurse take?
1. Inform the client that clients with COPD should not take Valium
2. Ask the client when was the last time he had any seizure activity
3. Determine what effect the Valium has on the client when he takes it
4. Ask the health-care provider for an order for Valium - Correct Answer :4. Ask the health-care provider for an
order for Valium
Benzodiazepines should be tapered off when the client is trying to stop taking them. The nurse should request
an order for the Valium
The elderly client being prepared for major abdominal surgery has been taking alprazolam (Xanax), a
benzodiazepine, PRN for many years for nerves. Which information should the nurse discuss with the HCP?
1. Discuss prescribing another benzodiazepine medication postoperatively
2. Make sure that the alprazolam (Xanax) is ordered after surgery
3. Taper the medication to prevent complications
4. Change the alprazolam (Xanax) to a medication for sleep - Correct Answer :1. Discuss prescribing another
benzodiazepine medication postoperatively
P 4
