ATI MENTAL HEALTH CMS EXAM PREP 700+ NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS & RATIONALES NGN CASE STUDIES PSYCHIATRIC NURSING STUDY GUIDE PDF COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALE

ATI MENTAL HEALTH CMS EXAM PREP 700+ NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS & RATIONALES NGN CASE STUDIES PSYCHIATRIC NURSING STUDY GUIDE PDF COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALE 1. A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer first? A. Haloperidol 5 mg IM B. Fluoxetine 20 mg PO C. Diphenhydramine 25 mg IV D. Diazepam 5 mg IV bolus Correct Answer: D. Diazepam 5 mg IV bolus Rationale: Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, is the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal. It acts rapidly to stabilize the central nervous system and prevent life-threatening complications like seizures and delirium tremens (DTs). The IV route ensures rapid onset, which is critical in acute withdrawal. ________________________________________ 2. A nurse is monitoring a client who has schizophrenia and started a new antipsychotic medication. The client reports muscle stiffness and is experiencing a shuffling gait. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering? A. Benztropine 2 mg IM B. Haloperidol 5 mg IM C. Fluoxetine 20 mg PO D. Lithium 300 mg PO Correct Answer: A. Benztropine 2 mg IM Rationale: The client is exhibiting extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), specifically drug-induced Parkinsonism, which is a common side effect of first-generation antipsychotics. Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat these symptoms, including shuffling gait, rigidity, and tremors. ________________________________________ 3. A nurse is delegating care on a mental health unit. Which task is most appropriate to assign to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? A. Initiate suicide precautions for a newly admitted client. B. Develop a discharge teaching plan for a client with depression. C. Perform the admission assessment for a client with schizophrenia. D. Change the dressings for a client with self-inflicted wounds. Correct Answer: D. Change the dressings for a client with self-inflicted wounds. Rationale: Wound care, including changing dressings and observing for signs of infection, is within the LPN's scope of practice. Initial assessments, care planning, and client education are the responsibilities of the registered nurse (RN). ________________________________________ 4. A nurse is planning care for a 7-year-old child diagnosed with ADHD. Which intervention is the priority to include in the plan of care? A. Encourage participation in group activities. B. Allow the child to select daily activities independently. C. Provide toys that require prolonged concentration. D. Remove unnecessary equipment from the child's surroundings. Correct Answer: D. Remove unnecessary equipment from the child's surroundings. Rationale: The priority for a child with ADHD is safety and risk reduction. Children with ADHD have poor impulse control and are at a high risk for injury. Removing hazardous objects from the environment is the most critical intervention to prevent accidental self-harm. ________________________________________ 5. A nurse is discussing home care options with the partner of a client who has advanced Alzheimer's disease. The partner expresses a need for a break to travel out of town. Which resource should the nurse recommend? A. Adult day-care services B. Home health nursing visits C. Hospice care D. Respite care programs Correct Answer: D. Respite care programs Rationale: Respite care provides temporary, short-term relief for caregivers by placing the client in a care facility. This service is designed to reduce caregiver burden and prevent burnout, allowing the caregiver time to rest or attend to personal matters. ________________________________________ 6. A nurse is caring for a client with antisocial personality disorder who is participating in a behavioral therapy program using operant conditioning. Which client behavior indicates that the therapy is effective? A. Avoids eye contact with staff. B. Refuses to attend counseling sessions. C. Isolates from peers during group therapy. D. Refrains from manipulating others to earn dining room privileges. Correct Answer: D. Refrains from manipulating others to earn dining room privileges. Rationale: Operant conditioning uses positive reinforcement to increase desirable behaviors. Refraining from manipulative behaviors to earn a reward (dining room privileges) demonstrates that the client is learning and adapting to the therapeutic goals of the program. ________________________________________ 7. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. Which finding is classified as a negative symptom of the disorder? A. Auditory hallucinations B. Delusions C. Disorganized speech D. Flat affect Correct Answer: D. Flat affect Rationale: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia represent a loss or decrease in normal functions. These include flat affect, anhedonia, avolition, and alogia. Positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, represent an excess or distortion of normal functions. ________________________________________ 8. A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client taking lithium. Which finding is a cause for concern and requires further assessment for potential lithium toxicity? A. Sodium level 140 mEq/L B. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L C. Calcium level 9.2 mg/dL D. Sodium level 128 mEq/L Correct Answer: D. Sodium level 128 mEq/L Rationale: Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) can lead to lithium toxicity because the kidneys will reabsorb lithium in an attempt to conserve sodium. A normal sodium level is 135-145 mEq/L. A level of 128 mEq/L is critically low and places the client at high risk for lithium toxicity. ________________________________________ 9. A nurse is providing education to a client who has a new prescription for a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which over-the-counter medication should the nurse instruct the client to avoid? A. Ibuprofen B. Diphenhydramine C. Pseudoephedrine D. Acetaminophen Correct Answer: C. Pseudoephedrine Rationale: Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic found in many decongestants. Taking it with an MAOI can precipitate a severe hypertensive crisis due to the combined vasoconstrictive effects. Clients on MAOIs should avoid all over-the-counter cold and decongestant medications. ________________________________________ 10. A client with depression is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Which adverse effect should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan? A. Hypertension B. Weight loss C. Orthostatic hypotension D. Increased energy Correct Answer: C. Orthostatic hypotension Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a common and significant adverse effect of TCAs. The nurse should instruct the client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to prevent falls. Other anticholinergic side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision. ________________________________________ 11. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a manic episode related to bipolar disorder. Which intervention is most appropriate for this client? A. Encourage participation in competitive group activities. B. Provide frequent, short, and simple verbal instructions. C. Place the client in a private room to reduce stimuli. D. Provide high-calorie finger foods to maintain nutrition.