OVERVIEW OF PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
NCLEX EXAM WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS #8
The client states, "Who is confused? He said I should go, but I didn't. Is that weird?"
Which response by the nurse would be best to clarify the client's statement?
A. How did you feel before you talked to him?
B. When did you first notice yourself feeling confused?
C. Did he indicate to you exactly what he meant?
D. I don't understand. Can you explain in another way? - correct answer D
During the initial interview with a client, the nurse begins to feel uncomfortable and
realizes the client's behavior and mannerisms remind the nurse of the nurse's abusive
parent. The nurse concludes that the current situation represents which phenomenon?
A. Transference
B. Countertransference
C. Denial
D. Reaction formation - correct answer B
A client asks the nurse what to do about leaving the spouse. The nurse replies "Why are
you having trouble making a decision? It's easy to see that you should file for divorce."
The nurse manager overhearing the conversation would counsel this nurse because the
nurse's response: (Select all that apply)
A. Restricts the client's opportunity for self-exploration & problem solving skills
B. Belittles the client & the client's indecisiveness
C. Challenges the client's belief system
D. Assumes that the client is incapable of reaching an independent decision - correct
answer A,B,D
While communicating with a client, the nurse decides to provide the client with
feedback. The primary reason for this is that giving appropriate feedback makes it
possible for the nurse to:
A. Present advice
B. Explore feelings
C. Provide information
D. Explain behavior - correct answer C
The nurse assesses a client as being on the mental health end of the mental
health/mental illness continuum. Which statement by the client best supports this
assessment? (Select all that apply)
A. I am satisfied with my life and life choices
B. My family thinks that I am a good person
C. I'm an average person leading a normal average life.
D. I've always thought I should have been more sucessful - correct answer A,C
A newly admitted adult client says, "No, I don't want that medicine. I won't take it." The
nurse says, "Take it. It's good medicine." The nurse then places the cup in front of the
, client's mouth and forcefully presses it against the client's lips. In counseling this nurse,
what important legal principles can be applied to the nurse's action? (Select all that
apply)
A. If a client does not object a second time, a nurse can administer the medication
B. If treatment is given without consent, legal charges of battery can be filed
C. Clients have the right to be treated in the least restrictive manner possible
D. Clients, unless declared legally incompetent, have the right to refuse medication -
correct answer B,D
A client presents at a crisis clinic with reports of having crying spells and overwhelming
feelings of loss. The client further relates that this extreme distress began one week ago
when the client's parent developed an acute physical illness & died. The client speaks
clearly and descriptively about the illness & death & verbalizes feelings readily. The
nurse interprets that the client's behaviors suggest the client:
A. Has suffered irreversible psychological damage
B. Is a candidate for long-term psychotherapy
C. Is highly anxious and depressed
D. Is a good candidate for short-term, focused psychotherapy - correct answer D
A client has purposefully attempted to embarrass a nurse by making a sexually explicit
comment. The best response by the nurse is to:
A. Clarify the intention of the client
B. Leave the situation altogether
C. Refuse to talk with the client any further
D. Continue to interact as if the comments did not cause embarrassment - correct
answer A
An emergency psychiatric client presents with amnesia, hyperthermia, & unexplained
loss of appetite. Accompanying family members state that the client suffered a head
injury while falling from a ladder several days before. The nurse concludes that the
client's symptoms are consistent with trauma to which area of the brain?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebrum
D. Cerebellum - correct answer B
The nurse has explained to a client the biologic theories of depression. The nurse
concludes that the teaching has been effective if the client says, "I now know that my
depression may be caused from: (Select all that apply)
A. Excessive serotonin activity level in the CNS
B. Insufficient serotonin activity in the CNS
C. Excessive acetylcholine in the CNS.
D. Insufficient acetylcholine activity in the CNS - correct answer B,D
A client was quite upset the entire time she was pregnant and made it clear she did not
want her unborn child. However, since the birth, she has become overly protective and
NCLEX EXAM WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS #8
The client states, "Who is confused? He said I should go, but I didn't. Is that weird?"
Which response by the nurse would be best to clarify the client's statement?
A. How did you feel before you talked to him?
B. When did you first notice yourself feeling confused?
C. Did he indicate to you exactly what he meant?
D. I don't understand. Can you explain in another way? - correct answer D
During the initial interview with a client, the nurse begins to feel uncomfortable and
realizes the client's behavior and mannerisms remind the nurse of the nurse's abusive
parent. The nurse concludes that the current situation represents which phenomenon?
A. Transference
B. Countertransference
C. Denial
D. Reaction formation - correct answer B
A client asks the nurse what to do about leaving the spouse. The nurse replies "Why are
you having trouble making a decision? It's easy to see that you should file for divorce."
The nurse manager overhearing the conversation would counsel this nurse because the
nurse's response: (Select all that apply)
A. Restricts the client's opportunity for self-exploration & problem solving skills
B. Belittles the client & the client's indecisiveness
C. Challenges the client's belief system
D. Assumes that the client is incapable of reaching an independent decision - correct
answer A,B,D
While communicating with a client, the nurse decides to provide the client with
feedback. The primary reason for this is that giving appropriate feedback makes it
possible for the nurse to:
A. Present advice
B. Explore feelings
C. Provide information
D. Explain behavior - correct answer C
The nurse assesses a client as being on the mental health end of the mental
health/mental illness continuum. Which statement by the client best supports this
assessment? (Select all that apply)
A. I am satisfied with my life and life choices
B. My family thinks that I am a good person
C. I'm an average person leading a normal average life.
D. I've always thought I should have been more sucessful - correct answer A,C
A newly admitted adult client says, "No, I don't want that medicine. I won't take it." The
nurse says, "Take it. It's good medicine." The nurse then places the cup in front of the
, client's mouth and forcefully presses it against the client's lips. In counseling this nurse,
what important legal principles can be applied to the nurse's action? (Select all that
apply)
A. If a client does not object a second time, a nurse can administer the medication
B. If treatment is given without consent, legal charges of battery can be filed
C. Clients have the right to be treated in the least restrictive manner possible
D. Clients, unless declared legally incompetent, have the right to refuse medication -
correct answer B,D
A client presents at a crisis clinic with reports of having crying spells and overwhelming
feelings of loss. The client further relates that this extreme distress began one week ago
when the client's parent developed an acute physical illness & died. The client speaks
clearly and descriptively about the illness & death & verbalizes feelings readily. The
nurse interprets that the client's behaviors suggest the client:
A. Has suffered irreversible psychological damage
B. Is a candidate for long-term psychotherapy
C. Is highly anxious and depressed
D. Is a good candidate for short-term, focused psychotherapy - correct answer D
A client has purposefully attempted to embarrass a nurse by making a sexually explicit
comment. The best response by the nurse is to:
A. Clarify the intention of the client
B. Leave the situation altogether
C. Refuse to talk with the client any further
D. Continue to interact as if the comments did not cause embarrassment - correct
answer A
An emergency psychiatric client presents with amnesia, hyperthermia, & unexplained
loss of appetite. Accompanying family members state that the client suffered a head
injury while falling from a ladder several days before. The nurse concludes that the
client's symptoms are consistent with trauma to which area of the brain?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebrum
D. Cerebellum - correct answer B
The nurse has explained to a client the biologic theories of depression. The nurse
concludes that the teaching has been effective if the client says, "I now know that my
depression may be caused from: (Select all that apply)
A. Excessive serotonin activity level in the CNS
B. Insufficient serotonin activity in the CNS
C. Excessive acetylcholine in the CNS.
D. Insufficient acetylcholine activity in the CNS - correct answer B,D
A client was quite upset the entire time she was pregnant and made it clear she did not
want her unborn child. However, since the birth, she has become overly protective and
