Mental Health Practice Exam Questions
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1. The nurse is conducting discharge teach- *C. Only my belief in God can help me.*
ing for a client with schizophrenia who
plans to live in a group home. Which The most frequent cause of increased symp-
statement is most indicative of the need toms in psychotic clients is non-compliance
for careful follow-up after discharge? with the medication regimen. If clients believe
that "God alone" is going to heal them (C) then
a. Crickets are a good source of protein. they may discontinue their medication, so (C)
b. I have not heard any voices for a week. would pose the greatest threat to this client's
c. Only my belief in God can help me. prognosis. (A) would require further teaching,
d. Sometimes I have a hard time sitting but is not as significant a statement as (C).
still (B) indicates an improvement in the client's
condition. (D) may be a sign of anxiety that
could improve with tx, but does not have the
priority of (C).
2. A child is brought to the ER with a bro- *C. projecting her feelings onto the nurse.*
ken arm. Because of other injuries, the
nurse suspects the child may be a victim Projection is attributing one's own thoughts,
of abuse. When the nurse tries to give impulses, or behaviors onto another--it is the
the child an injection, the child's mother mother who is probably harming the child and
becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't she is attributing her actions to the nurse (C).
leave my son! Don't you touch him! You'll The mother may be immature, but (A) is not the
hurt my child!" What is the best interpre- best description of her behavior. (B) is substi-
tation of the mother's statements? The tuting a socially acceptable feeling for an unac-
mother is ceptable one. These are not socially acceptable
feelings. The mother may be suppressing her
a. regressing to an earlier behavior pat- fear (D) by displaying anger, but such an inter-
tern. pretation cannot be concluded from the data
b. sublimating her anger. presented.
c. projecting her feelings onto the nurse.
d. suppressing her fear.
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3. An elderly female client with advanced *B. Tell the client that the nurse is there and will
dementia is admitted to the hospital with help her.*
a fractured hip. The client repeatedly tells
the staff, "Take me home. I want my Those with dementia often refer to home or
Mommy." Which response is best for the parents when seeking security and comfort.
nurse to provide? The nurse should use the techniques of "offer-
ing self" and "talking to the feelings" to provide
a. Orient the client to the time, place, and reassurance (B). Clients with advanced de-
person. mentia have permanent physiological changes
b. Tell the client that the nurse is there in the brain (plaques and tangles) that prevent
and will help her. them from comprehending and retaining new
c. Remind the client that her mother is no information, so (A, C, and D) are likely to be
longer living. of little use to this client and do not help the
d. Explain the seriousness of her injury clients emotional needs.
and need for hospitalization.
4. A 27 y/o F client is admitted to the psy- *D. Provide a structured environment with little
chiatric hospital with a dx of bipolar dis- stimuli.*
order, manic phase. She is demanding
and active. Which intervention should theClients in the manic phase of bipolar disor-
der require decreased stimuli and a struc-
nurse include in this client's plan of care?
tured environment (D). Plan noncompetitive
a. Schedule her to attend various group activities that can be carried out alone. (A) is
activities. contraindicated; stimuli should be reduced as
b. Reinforce her ability to make her own much as possible. Impulsive decision-making
decisions. is characteristic of clients with bipolar disor-
c. Encourage her to identify feelings of der. To prevent future complications, the nurse
anger. should monitor these clients' decisions and as-
d. Provide a structured environment with sist them in decision-making process (B). (C)
little stimuli. is more often associated with depression than
with bipolar disorder.
, Mental Health Practice Exam Questions
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5. An adult male client who was admitted * C. Go to occupational therapy and start a
to the mental hospital unit yesterday tells project.*
the nurse that microchips were planted
Delusions often generate fear and isolation,
in his head for military surveillance of his
every move. Which response is best for so the nurse should help the client participate
the nurse to provide? in activities that avoid focusing on the false
belief and encourage interaction with others
a. You are in the hospital, and I am the (C). Delusions are often well-fixed, and though
nurse caring for you. (A) reinforces reality, it is argumentative and
b. It must be difficult for you to control dismisses the clients fears. It is often difficult
your anxious feelings. for the client to recognize the relationship be-
c. Go to occupational therapy and start a tween delusions and anxiety (B), and the nurse
project. should reassure the client that he is in a safe
d. You are not in a war area now; this is place. Dismissing delusional thinking (D) is
the United States. unrealistic because neurochemical imbalances
that cause positive symptoms of schizophrenia
require antipsychotic drug therapy.
6. A 38 y/o F client is admitted with a dx *A. I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you
of paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray need anything else.*
is brought to her, she refuses to eat and
tells the nurse, "I know you're trying to (A) is the best choice cited. The nurse doesn't
poison me with that food." Which re- argue with the client nor demand that she eat,
sponse is most appropriate for the nurse but offers support by agreeing to "be there
to make? if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C)
are arguing with the client's delusions, and (B)
a. I'll leave your tray here. I am available asks "why" which is usually not a good ques-
if you need anything else. tion for a psychotic client. (D) has nothing to
b. You're not being poisoned. Why do you do with the actual problem; i.e., the problem is
think someone is trying to poison you? not the diet (she thinks any food given to her
c. No one on this unit has ever died from is poisoned).
poisoning. You're safe here.
, Mental Health Practice Exam Questions
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d. I will talk to your HCP about the possi-
bility of changing your diet.
7. A homeless person who is in the manic *A. Decreased TSH level.*
phase of bipolar disorder is admitted to
the mental health unit. Which lab finding Hyperthyroidism causes an increased level of
obtained on admission is most important serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which
for the nurse to report to the HCP? inhibits the release of TSH (A), so the client's
manic behavior may be related to an endocrine
a. Decreased TSH level. disorder. (B, C, and D) are abnormal findings
b. Elevated liver function profile. that are commonly found in the homeless pop-
c. Increased WBC count. ulation because of poor sanitation, poor nutri-
d. Decreased Hct and Hgb levels. tion, and the prevalence of substance abuse
8. The nurse is planning discharge teaching *A. Ineffective denial r/t situational anxiety.*
for a male client with schizophrenia. The
client insists that he is returning to his The best nursing dx is (A) because the client is
apartment, although the HCP informed unable to acknowledge the move to a board-
him that he will be moving to a boarding ing home. (B, C, and D) are potential nursing
home. What is the most important nurs- diagnoses, but denial is most important be-
ing dx for discharge planning? cause it is a defense mechanism that keeps
the client from dealing with his feelings about
a. Ineffective denial r/t situational anxi- living arrangements.
ety.
b. Ineffective coping r/t inadequate sup-
port.
c. Social isolation r/t difficult interac-
tions.
d. Self-care deficit r/t cognitive impair-
ment.
9. A client who has been admitted to the *A. How can I help?*
psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "My prob-
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1. The nurse is conducting discharge teach- *C. Only my belief in God can help me.*
ing for a client with schizophrenia who
plans to live in a group home. Which The most frequent cause of increased symp-
statement is most indicative of the need toms in psychotic clients is non-compliance
for careful follow-up after discharge? with the medication regimen. If clients believe
that "God alone" is going to heal them (C) then
a. Crickets are a good source of protein. they may discontinue their medication, so (C)
b. I have not heard any voices for a week. would pose the greatest threat to this client's
c. Only my belief in God can help me. prognosis. (A) would require further teaching,
d. Sometimes I have a hard time sitting but is not as significant a statement as (C).
still (B) indicates an improvement in the client's
condition. (D) may be a sign of anxiety that
could improve with tx, but does not have the
priority of (C).
2. A child is brought to the ER with a bro- *C. projecting her feelings onto the nurse.*
ken arm. Because of other injuries, the
nurse suspects the child may be a victim Projection is attributing one's own thoughts,
of abuse. When the nurse tries to give impulses, or behaviors onto another--it is the
the child an injection, the child's mother mother who is probably harming the child and
becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't she is attributing her actions to the nurse (C).
leave my son! Don't you touch him! You'll The mother may be immature, but (A) is not the
hurt my child!" What is the best interpre- best description of her behavior. (B) is substi-
tation of the mother's statements? The tuting a socially acceptable feeling for an unac-
mother is ceptable one. These are not socially acceptable
feelings. The mother may be suppressing her
a. regressing to an earlier behavior pat- fear (D) by displaying anger, but such an inter-
tern. pretation cannot be concluded from the data
b. sublimating her anger. presented.
c. projecting her feelings onto the nurse.
d. suppressing her fear.
, Mental Health Practice Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_7kt7fv
3. An elderly female client with advanced *B. Tell the client that the nurse is there and will
dementia is admitted to the hospital with help her.*
a fractured hip. The client repeatedly tells
the staff, "Take me home. I want my Those with dementia often refer to home or
Mommy." Which response is best for the parents when seeking security and comfort.
nurse to provide? The nurse should use the techniques of "offer-
ing self" and "talking to the feelings" to provide
a. Orient the client to the time, place, and reassurance (B). Clients with advanced de-
person. mentia have permanent physiological changes
b. Tell the client that the nurse is there in the brain (plaques and tangles) that prevent
and will help her. them from comprehending and retaining new
c. Remind the client that her mother is no information, so (A, C, and D) are likely to be
longer living. of little use to this client and do not help the
d. Explain the seriousness of her injury clients emotional needs.
and need for hospitalization.
4. A 27 y/o F client is admitted to the psy- *D. Provide a structured environment with little
chiatric hospital with a dx of bipolar dis- stimuli.*
order, manic phase. She is demanding
and active. Which intervention should theClients in the manic phase of bipolar disor-
der require decreased stimuli and a struc-
nurse include in this client's plan of care?
tured environment (D). Plan noncompetitive
a. Schedule her to attend various group activities that can be carried out alone. (A) is
activities. contraindicated; stimuli should be reduced as
b. Reinforce her ability to make her own much as possible. Impulsive decision-making
decisions. is characteristic of clients with bipolar disor-
c. Encourage her to identify feelings of der. To prevent future complications, the nurse
anger. should monitor these clients' decisions and as-
d. Provide a structured environment with sist them in decision-making process (B). (C)
little stimuli. is more often associated with depression than
with bipolar disorder.
, Mental Health Practice Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_7kt7fv
5. An adult male client who was admitted * C. Go to occupational therapy and start a
to the mental hospital unit yesterday tells project.*
the nurse that microchips were planted
Delusions often generate fear and isolation,
in his head for military surveillance of his
every move. Which response is best for so the nurse should help the client participate
the nurse to provide? in activities that avoid focusing on the false
belief and encourage interaction with others
a. You are in the hospital, and I am the (C). Delusions are often well-fixed, and though
nurse caring for you. (A) reinforces reality, it is argumentative and
b. It must be difficult for you to control dismisses the clients fears. It is often difficult
your anxious feelings. for the client to recognize the relationship be-
c. Go to occupational therapy and start a tween delusions and anxiety (B), and the nurse
project. should reassure the client that he is in a safe
d. You are not in a war area now; this is place. Dismissing delusional thinking (D) is
the United States. unrealistic because neurochemical imbalances
that cause positive symptoms of schizophrenia
require antipsychotic drug therapy.
6. A 38 y/o F client is admitted with a dx *A. I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you
of paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray need anything else.*
is brought to her, she refuses to eat and
tells the nurse, "I know you're trying to (A) is the best choice cited. The nurse doesn't
poison me with that food." Which re- argue with the client nor demand that she eat,
sponse is most appropriate for the nurse but offers support by agreeing to "be there
to make? if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C)
are arguing with the client's delusions, and (B)
a. I'll leave your tray here. I am available asks "why" which is usually not a good ques-
if you need anything else. tion for a psychotic client. (D) has nothing to
b. You're not being poisoned. Why do you do with the actual problem; i.e., the problem is
think someone is trying to poison you? not the diet (she thinks any food given to her
c. No one on this unit has ever died from is poisoned).
poisoning. You're safe here.
, Mental Health Practice Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_7kt7fv
d. I will talk to your HCP about the possi-
bility of changing your diet.
7. A homeless person who is in the manic *A. Decreased TSH level.*
phase of bipolar disorder is admitted to
the mental health unit. Which lab finding Hyperthyroidism causes an increased level of
obtained on admission is most important serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which
for the nurse to report to the HCP? inhibits the release of TSH (A), so the client's
manic behavior may be related to an endocrine
a. Decreased TSH level. disorder. (B, C, and D) are abnormal findings
b. Elevated liver function profile. that are commonly found in the homeless pop-
c. Increased WBC count. ulation because of poor sanitation, poor nutri-
d. Decreased Hct and Hgb levels. tion, and the prevalence of substance abuse
8. The nurse is planning discharge teaching *A. Ineffective denial r/t situational anxiety.*
for a male client with schizophrenia. The
client insists that he is returning to his The best nursing dx is (A) because the client is
apartment, although the HCP informed unable to acknowledge the move to a board-
him that he will be moving to a boarding ing home. (B, C, and D) are potential nursing
home. What is the most important nurs- diagnoses, but denial is most important be-
ing dx for discharge planning? cause it is a defense mechanism that keeps
the client from dealing with his feelings about
a. Ineffective denial r/t situational anxi- living arrangements.
ety.
b. Ineffective coping r/t inadequate sup-
port.
c. Social isolation r/t difficult interac-
tions.
d. Self-care deficit r/t cognitive impair-
ment.
9. A client who has been admitted to the *A. How can I help?*
psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "My prob-
