Mental Health RN 2023

Mental Health RN 2023 The home care nurse is visiting an older client whose spouse died 6 months ago. Which behavior by the client indicates ineffective coping? 1. Neglecting personal grooming 2. Looking at old snapshots of family 3. Participating in a senior citizens' program 4. Visiting their spouse's grave once a month 1. Neglecting personal grooming Rational: Coping mechanisms are behaviors used to decrease stress and anxiety. In response to a death, ineffective coping is manifested by an extreme behavior that in some cases may be harmful to the individual physically or psychologically. The correct option is indicative of a behavior that identifies an ineffective coping behavior in the grieving process. A client with a diagnosis of major depression who has attempted suicide says to the nurse, "I should have died. I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right for me." Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication? 1. "You have everything to live for." 2. "Why do you see yourself as a failure?" 3. "Feeling like this is all part of being depressed." 4. "You've been feeling like a failure for a while?" 4. "You've been feeling like a failure for a while?" Rationale: Responding to the feelings expressed by a client is an effective therapeutic communication technique. The correct option is an example of the use of restating. The remaining options block communication because they minimize the client's experience and do not facilitate exploration of the client's expressed feelings. In addition, use of the word "why" is nontherapeutic. When the mental health nurse visits a client at home, the client states, "I haven't slept at all the last couple of nights." Which response by the nurse illustrates a therapeutic communication response to this client? 1. "I see." 2. "Really?" 3. "You're having difficulty sleeping?" 4. "Sometimes, I have trouble sleeping too." 3. "You're having difficulty sleeping?" Rationale: The correct option uses the therapeutic communication technique of restatement. Although restatement is a technique that has a prompting component to it, it repeats the client's major theme, which assists the nurse to obtain a more specific perception of the problem from the client. The remaining options are not therapeutic responses since none encourage the client to expand on the problem. Offering personal experiences moves the focus away from the client and onto the nurse. A client experiencing disturbed thought processes believes that his food is being poisoned. Which communication technique should the nurse use to encourage the client to eat? 1. Using open-ended questions and silence 2. Sharing personal preference regarding food choices 3. Documenting reasons why the client does not want to eat 4. Offering opinions about the necessity of adequate nutrition 1. Using open-ended questions and silence Rationale: Open-ended questions and silence are strategies used to encourage clients to discuss their problems. Sharing personal food preferences is not a client-centered intervention. The remaining options are not helpful to the client because they do not encourage the client to express feelings. The nurse should not offer opinions and should encourage the client to identify the reasons for the behavior. A client admitted to a mental health unit for treatment of psychotic behavior spends hours at the locked exit door shouting, "Let me out. There's nothing wrong with me. I don't belong here." What defense mechanism is the client implementing? 1. Denial 2. Projection 3. Regression 4. Rationalization 1. Denial Rationale: Denial is refusal to admit to a painful reality, which is treated as if it does not exist. In projection, a person unconsciously rejects emotionally unacceptable features and attributes them to other persons, objects, or situations. Regression allows the client to return to an earlier, more comforting, although less mature, way of behaving. Rationalization is justifying illogical or unreasonable ideas, actions, or feelings by developing acceptable explanations that satisfy the teller and the listener. A client diagnosed with terminal cancer says to the nurse, "I'm going to die, and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so angry when they carry on like this. After all, I'm the one who's dying." Which response by the nurse is therapeutic? 1. "Have you shared your feelings with your family?" 2. "I think we should talk more about your anger with your family." 3. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?" 4. "You are probably very depressed, which is understandable with such a diagnosis." 3. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?" Rationale: Restating is a therapeutic communication technique in which the nurse repeats what the client says to show understanding and to review what was said. While it is appropriate for the nurse to attempt to assess the client's ability to discuss feelings openly with family members, it does not help the client discuss the feelings causing the anger. The nurse's attempt to focus on the central issue of anger is premature. The nurse would never make a judgment regarding the reason for the client's feeling; this is nontherapeutic in the one-to-one relationship. On review of the client's record, the nurse notes that the mental health admission was voluntary. Based on this information, the nurse anticipates which client behavior? 1. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures. 2. Anger and aggressiveness directed toward others. 3. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the diagnosis. 4. A willingness to participate in the planning of the care and treatment plan. 4. A willingness to participate in the planning of the care and treatment plan. Rationale: In general, clients seek voluntary admission. If a client seeks voluntary admission, the most likely expectation is that the client will participate in the treatment program since they are actively seeking help. The remaining options are not characteristics of this type of admission. Fearfulness, anger, and aggressiveness are more characteristic of an involuntary admission. Voluntary admission does not guarantee a client's understanding of their illness, only of their desire for help. When reviewing the admission assessment, the nurse notes that a client was admitted to the mental health unit involuntarily. Based on this type of admission, the nurse should provide which intervention for this client? 1. Monitor closely for harm to self or others. 2. Assist in completing an application for admission. 3. Supply the client with written information about their mental illness. 4. Provide an opportunity for the family to discuss why they felt the admission was needed. 1. Monitor closely for harm to self or others. Rationale: Involuntary admission is necessary when a person is a danger to self or others or is in need of psychiatric treatment regardless of the client's willingness to consent to the hospitalization. A written request is a component of a voluntary admission. Providing written information regarding the illness is likely premature initially. The family may have had no role to play in the client's admission. The nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of the nurse-client relationship. The nurse prepares to implement which nursing task that is most appropriate for this phase? 1. Planning short-term goals 2. Making appointment referrals 3. Developing realistic solutions 4. Identifying expected outcomes 2. Making appointment referrals Rationale: Tasks of the termination phase include evaluating client performance, evaluating achievement of expected outcomes, evaluating future needs, making appropriate referrals, and dealing with the common behaviors associated with termination. The remaining options identify tasks appropriate for the working phase of the relationship. The nurse in the mental health unit recognizes which as being therapeutic communication techniques? Select all that apply. 1. Restating 2. Listening 3. Asking the client, "Why?" 4. Maintaining neutral responses 5. Providing acknowledgment and feedback 6. Giving advice and approval or disapproval 1, 2, 4, 5 Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques include listening, maintaining silence, maintaining neutral responses, using broad openings and open-ended questions, focusing and refocusing, restating, clarifying and validating, sharing perceptions, reflecting, providing acknowledgment and feedback, giving information, presenting reality, encouraging formulation of a plan of action, providing nonverbal encouragement, and summarizing. Asking why is often interpreted as being accusatory by the client and should also be avoided. Providing advice or giving approval or disapproval are barriers to communication. A client being seen in the emergency department immediately after being sexually assaulted appears calm and controlled. The nurse analyzes this behavior as indicating which defense mechanism? 1. Denial 2. Projection 3. Rationalization 4. Intellectualization 1. Denial Rational: Denial is refusal to admit to a painful reality and may be a response by a victim of sexual abuse. In this case the client is not acknowledging the trauma of the assault either verbally or nonverbally. Projection is transferring one's internal feelings, thoughts, and unacceptable ideas and traits to someone else. Rationalization is justifying the unacceptable attributes about oneself. Intellectualization is the excessive use of abstract thinking or generalizations to decrease painful thinking. A client's unresolved feelings related to loss would be most likely observed during which phase of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship? 1. Trusting 2. Working 3. Orientation 4. Termination 4. Termination In the termination phase, the relationship comes to a close. Ending treatment sometimes may be traumatic for clients who have come to value the relationship and the help. Because loss is an issue, any unresolved feelings related to loss may resurface during this phase. The remaining options are not specifically associated with this issue of unresolved feelings. The nurse is working with a client who despite making a heroic effort was unable to rescue a neighbor trapped in a house fire. Which client-focused action should the nurse engage in during the working phase of the nurse-client relationship? 1. Exploring the client's ability to function 2. Exploring the client's potential for self-harm 3. Inquiring about the client's perception or appraisal of why the rescue was unsuccessful 4. Inquiring about and examining the client's feelings for any that may block adaptive coping 4. Inquiring about and examining the client's feelings for any that may block adaptive coping Rational: The client must first deal with feelings and negative responses before the client can work through the meaning of the crisis. The correct option pertains directly to the client's feelings and is client-focused. The remaining options do not directly focus on or address the client's feelings. The nurse employed in a mental health unit of a hospital is the leader of a group psychotherapy session. What is the nurse's role during the termination stage of group development? 1. Acknowledging that the group has identified goals 2. Encouraging the accomplishment of the group's work 3. Acknowledging the contributions of each group member 4. Encouraging members to become acquainted with one another 3. Acknowledging the contributions of each group member Rationale: In the termination stage, the group leader's task is to acknowledge the contributions of each member and the experience of the group as a whole. In this stage, the group members prepare for separation and assist each other to prepare for the future. Acknowledging that the group has identified goals and encouraging group bonding both occur during the initial stage. Encouraging accomplishment of the group's work is appropriate during the working stage. Which are characteristics of the termination stage of group development? Select all that apply. 1. The group evaluates the experience. 2. The real work of the group is accomplished. 3. Group interaction involves superficial conversation. 4. Group members become acquainted with each other. 5. Some structuring of group norms, roles, and responsibilities takes place. 6. The group explores members' feelings about the group and the impending separation. 1 and 6 Rationale: The stages of group development include the initial stage, the working stage, and the termination stage. During the initial stage, the group members become acquainted with each other, and some structuring of group norms, roles, and responsibilities takes place. During the initial stage, group interaction involves superficial conversation. During the working stage, the real work of the group is accomplished. During the termination stage, the group evaluates the experience and explores members' feelings about the group and the impending separation. When a client is admitted to an inpatient mental health unit with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, a cognitive behavioral approach is used as part of the treatment plan. The nurse understands that which is the purpose of this approach? 1. Providing a supportive environment 2. Examining intrapsychic conflicts and past issues 3. Emphasizing social interaction with clients who withdraw 4. Helping the client to examine dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs 4. Helping the client to examine dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs Rationale: Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to help the client identify and examine dysfunctional thoughts and to identify and examine values and beliefs that maintain these thoughts. The remaining options, while therapeutic in certain situations, are not the focus of cognitive behavioral therapy. The nurse understands that which best describes Gestalt therapy? 1. It emphasizes self-expression, self-exploration, and self-awareness in the present. 2. It promotes the individual's comfort in the group, which then transfers to other relationships. 3. The therapist focuses on how irrational beliefs and thoughts contribute to psychological distress. 4. The therapist's goal is to help others express their feelings toward one another during group sessions. 1. It emphasizes self-expression, self-exploration, and self-awareness in the present. Rationale: Gestalt therapy emphasizes self-expression, self-exploration, and self-awareness in the present. The client and therapist focus on everyday problems and try to solve them. Interpersonal group therapy promotes the individual's comfort in the group, which then transfers to other relationships. In rational emotive therapy, the therapist focuses on how irrational beliefs and thoughts contribute to psychological distress. In Rogerian therapy, the therapist's goal is to help others express their feelings toward one another during group sessions. A client is preparing to attend a Gamblers Anonymous meeting for the first time. The nurse should tell the client that which is the first step in this 12-step program? 1. Admitting to having a problem 2. Substituting other activities for gambling 3. Stating that the gambling will be stopped 4. Discontinuing relationships with people who gamble 1. Admitting to having a problem Rationale: The first step in the 12-step program is to admit that a problem exists. Substituting other activities for gambling may be a strategy but it is not the first step. The remaining options are not realistic strategies for the initial step in a 12-step program. Which describes the primary focus of milieu therapy? 1. A form of behavior modification therapy 2. A cognitive approach to changing behavior 3. A living, learning, or working environment 4. A behavioral approach to changing behavior 3. A living, learning, or working environment Rationale: Milieu therapy, or "therapeutic community," has as its focus a living, learning, or working environment. Such therapy may be based on numerous therapeutic modalities ranging from structured behavioral therapy to spontaneous, humanistically oriented approaches. Although milieu therapy may include behavioral approaches, the correct option describes its primary focus. While being treated, a client is introduced to short periods of exposure to the phobic object while in a relaxed state. What term is used to describe this form of behavior modification? 1. Milieu therapy 2. Aversion therapy 3. Self-control therapy 4. Systematic desensitization 4. Systematic desensitization Rationale: Systematic desensitization is a form of therapy used when the client is introduced to short periods of exposure to the phobic object while in a relaxed state. Exposure is gradually increased until the anxiety about or fear of the object or situation has ceased. Milieu management refers to providing a safe, therapeutic environment and is applicable to not just this scenario. The remaining options are incorrect since they do not involve the intervention described. A client is planning to attend Overeaters Anonymous. Which statement by the client indicates a need for additional information regarding this self-help group? 1. "The leader is a nurse or psychiatrist." 2. "The members provide support to each other." 3. "People who have a similar problem are able to help others." 4. "It is designed to serve people who have a common problem." 1. "The leader is a nurse or psychiatrist." Rationale: The sponsor of a self-help group is an experienced member of the group. The nurse or psychiatrist may be asked by the group to serve as a resource, but would not be the leader of the group. The remaining options are characteristics of a self-help group. What is the most appropriate nursing action to help manage a manic client who is monopolizing a group therapy session? 1. Ask the client to leave the group for this session only. 2. Refer the client to another group that includes other manic clients. 3. Tell the client to stop monopolizing in a firm but compassionate manner. 4. Thank the client for the input, but inform the client that now others need a chance to contribute. 4. Thank the client for the input, but inform the client that now others need a chance to contribute. Rationale: If a client is monopolizing the group, the nurse must be direct and decisive. The best action is to thank the client and suggest that the client stop talking and try listening to others. Although telling the client to stop monopolizing in a firm but compassionate manner may be a direct response, the correct option is more specific and provides direction for the client. The remaining options are inappropriate since they are not directed towards helping the client in a therapeutic manner. Which type of therapeutic approach has the characteristic that all team members are seen as equally important in helping clients meet their goals? 1. Milieu therapy 2. Interpersonal therapy 3. Behavior modification 4. Rational emotive therapy 1. Milieu therapy Rationale: All treatment team members are viewed as significant and valuable to the client's successful treatment outcomes in milieu therapy. Interpersonal therapy is based on a one-to-one or group therapy approach in which the therapist-client relationship is often used as a way for the client to examine other relationships in his or her life. Behavior modification is based on rewards and punishment. Rational emotive therapy deals with the correction of distorted thinking. A client says to the nurse, "The federal guards were sent to kill me." What is the best nursing response to the client's concern? 1. "I don't believe this is true." 2. "The guards are not out to kill you." 3. "Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?" 4. "What makes you think the guards were sent to hurt you?" 3. "Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?" Rationale: It is most therapeutic for the nurse to empathize with the client's experience. The remaining options lack this connection with the client. Disagreeing with delusions may make the client more defensive, and the client may cling to the delusions even more. Encouraging discussion regarding the delusion is inappropriate. A client diagnosed with delirium becomes disoriented and confused at night. Which intervention should the nurse implement initially? 1. Move the client next to the nurse's station. 2. Use an indirect light source and turn off the television. 3. Keep the television and a soft light on during the night. 4. Play soft music during the night, and maintain a well-lit room. 2. Use an indirect light source and turn off the television. Rationale: Provision of a consistent daily routine and a low stimulating environment is important when a client is disoriented. Noise, including radio and television, may add to the confusion and disorientation. Moving the client next to the nurses' station may become necessary but is not the initial action. A client is admitted to the mental health unit with a diagnosis of depression. The nurse should develop a plan of care for the client that includes which intervention? 1. Encouraging quiet reading and writing for the first few days 2. Identification of physical activities that will provide exercise 3. No socializing activities, until the client asks to participate in milieu 4. A structured program of activities in which the client can participate 4. A structured program of activities in which the client can participate Rationale: A client with depression often is withdrawn while experiencing difficulty concentrating, loss of interest or pleasure, low energy, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness and poor self-esteem. The plan of care needs to provide successful experiences in a stimulating yet structured environment. The remaining options are either too "restrictive" or offer little or no structure and stimulation. When planning the discharge of a client with chronic anxiety, the nurse directs the goals at promoting a safe environment at home. Which is the most appropriate maintenance goal? 1. Suppressing feelings of anxiety 2. Identifying anxiety-producing situations 3. Continued contact with a crisis counselor 4. Eliminating all anxiety from daily situations 2. Identifying anxiety-producing situations Rationale: Recognizing situations that produce anxiety allows the client to prepare to cope with anxiety or avoid a specific stimulus. Counselors will not be available for all anxiety-producing situations, and this option does not encourage the development of internal strengths. Suppressing feelings will not resolve anxiety. Elimination of all anxiety from life is impossible. A client is unwilling to go out of the house for fear of "making a fool of myself in public." Because of this fear, the client remains homebound. Based on these data, which mental health disorder is the client experiencing? 1. Agoraphobia 2. Social phobia 3. Claustrophobia 4. Hypochondriasis 2. Social phobia Rationale: Social phobia is a fear of situations in which one might be embarrassed or criticized, such as the fear of speaking, performing, or eating in public. The person fears making a fool of oneself. Agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces and the fear of being trapped in a situation from which there may not be an escape. Claustrophobia is a fear of closed places. Clients with hypochondriacal symptoms focus their anxiety on physical complaints and are preoccupied with their health. The nurse is conducting a group therapy session. During the session, a client diagnosed with mania consistently disrupts the group's interactions. Which intervention should the nurse initially implement? 1. Setting limits on the client's behavior 2. Asking the client to leave the group session 3. Asking another nurse to escort the client out of the group session 4. Telling the client that they will not be able to attend any future group sessions 1. Setting limits on the client's behavior Rationale: Manic clients may be talkative and can dominate group meetings or therapy sessions by their excessive talking. If this occurs, the nurse initially would set limits on the client's behavior. Initially, asking the client to leave the session or asking another person to escort the client out of the session is inappropriate. This may agitate the client and escalate the client's behavior further. Barring the client from group sessions is also an inappropriate action because it violates the client's right to receive treatment and is a threatening action. A client is admitted to a medical nursing unit with a diagnosis of acute blindness after being involved in a hit-and-run accident. When diagnostic testing cannot identify any organic reason why this client cannot see, a mental health consult is prescribed. Which condition will be the focus of this consult? 1. Psychosis 2. Repression 3. Conversion disorder 4. Dissociative disorder 3. Conversion disorder Rationale: A conversion disorder is the alteration or loss of a physical function that cannot be explained by any known pathophysiological mechanism. A conversion disorder is thought to be an expression of a psychological need or conflict. In this situation, the client witnessed an accident that was so psychologically painful that the client became blind. Psychosis is a state in which a person's mental capacity to recognize reality, communicate, and relate to others is impaired, interfering with the person's ability to deal with life's demands. Repression is a coping mechanism in which unacceptable feelings are kept out of awareness. A dissociative disorder is a disturbance or alteration in the normally integrative functions of identity, memory, or consciousness.