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SAUNDERS PN MENTAL HEALTH
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
2025/26 LATEST UPDATED VERSION
Following a group therapy session, a client approaches the nurse and verbalizes
a need for seclusion because of uncontrollable feelings. The nurse reports the
findings to the registered nurse (RN) and expects that the RN will take which
action?
Ans: Get a written prescription from the primary health care provider (PHCP) and
obtain an informed consent.
The nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of the nurse- client relationship.
Which task should the nurse appropriately plan for during this phase?
Ans: Assist with making appropraite referrals
,2
The psychiatric nurse is greeted by a neighbor in a local grocery store. The neighbor
says to the nurse, "How is Carol doing? She is my best friend and is seen at your clinic
every week." Which is the appropriate nursing response?
Ans: I can't tell you that (or similar wording)
The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of depression. The nurse monitors
for signs of constipation and urinary retention, knowing that these problems are
likely caused by which situation?
Ans: Psychomotor retardation and side effects of medication
A client is admitted to the in-patient unit and is being considered for electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT). The client appears calm, but the family is hypervigilant and anxious. The
client's mother begins to cry and states, "My child's brain will be destroyed. How can
the doctor do this?" The nurse should make which therapeutic response?
,3
Ans: "It sounds as though you have some concerns about the ECT procedure. Why
don't we sit down together and discuss any concerns you may have?"
A mother of a teenage client with an anxiety disorder is concerned about her
daughter's progress during discharge. She states that her daughter "stashes food, eats
all the wrong things that make her hyperactive," and "hangs out with the wrong
crowd." While helping the mother prepare for her daughter's discharge, the nurse
should make which suggestion?
Ans: The mother should restrict the amount of chocolate and caffeine products in
the home.
A manic client announces to everyone in the dayroom that a stripper is coming to
perform that evening. When the psychiatric nurse's aide firmly states that the client's
behavior is not appropriate, the manic client becomes verbally abusive and threatens
physical violence to the nurse's aide. Based on the analysis of this situation,
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the nurse determines that the appropriate action should be which intervention?
Ans: Escort the manic client to his or her room.
The nurse notes documentation in a client's record that the client is experiencing
delusions of persecution. The nurse recognizes that these types of delusions are
characteristic of which thoughts?
Ans: The false belief that one is being singled out for harm by others
A client who is diagnosed with pedophilia and recently has been paroled as a sex
offender says, "I'm in treatment and I have served my time. Now this group has posters
all over the neighborhood with my photograph and details of my crime." Which is an
appropriate response by the nurse?
Ans: "You understand that people fear for their children, but you're feeling unfairly
treated?"
SAUNDERS PN MENTAL HEALTH
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
2025/26 LATEST UPDATED VERSION
Following a group therapy session, a client approaches the nurse and verbalizes
a need for seclusion because of uncontrollable feelings. The nurse reports the
findings to the registered nurse (RN) and expects that the RN will take which
action?
Ans: Get a written prescription from the primary health care provider (PHCP) and
obtain an informed consent.
The nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of the nurse- client relationship.
Which task should the nurse appropriately plan for during this phase?
Ans: Assist with making appropraite referrals
,2
The psychiatric nurse is greeted by a neighbor in a local grocery store. The neighbor
says to the nurse, "How is Carol doing? She is my best friend and is seen at your clinic
every week." Which is the appropriate nursing response?
Ans: I can't tell you that (or similar wording)
The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of depression. The nurse monitors
for signs of constipation and urinary retention, knowing that these problems are
likely caused by which situation?
Ans: Psychomotor retardation and side effects of medication
A client is admitted to the in-patient unit and is being considered for electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT). The client appears calm, but the family is hypervigilant and anxious. The
client's mother begins to cry and states, "My child's brain will be destroyed. How can
the doctor do this?" The nurse should make which therapeutic response?
,3
Ans: "It sounds as though you have some concerns about the ECT procedure. Why
don't we sit down together and discuss any concerns you may have?"
A mother of a teenage client with an anxiety disorder is concerned about her
daughter's progress during discharge. She states that her daughter "stashes food, eats
all the wrong things that make her hyperactive," and "hangs out with the wrong
crowd." While helping the mother prepare for her daughter's discharge, the nurse
should make which suggestion?
Ans: The mother should restrict the amount of chocolate and caffeine products in
the home.
A manic client announces to everyone in the dayroom that a stripper is coming to
perform that evening. When the psychiatric nurse's aide firmly states that the client's
behavior is not appropriate, the manic client becomes verbally abusive and threatens
physical violence to the nurse's aide. Based on the analysis of this situation,
, 4
the nurse determines that the appropriate action should be which intervention?
Ans: Escort the manic client to his or her room.
The nurse notes documentation in a client's record that the client is experiencing
delusions of persecution. The nurse recognizes that these types of delusions are
characteristic of which thoughts?
Ans: The false belief that one is being singled out for harm by others
A client who is diagnosed with pedophilia and recently has been paroled as a sex
offender says, "I'm in treatment and I have served my time. Now this group has posters
all over the neighborhood with my photograph and details of my crime." Which is an
appropriate response by the nurse?
Ans: "You understand that people fear for their children, but you're feeling unfairly
treated?"
