RN Mental Health Online Practice 2026
B
A nurse in an outpatient clinic is reviewing the medical record of a client who has
anorexia nervosa.
Click to highlight the information in the client's medical record that indicate the client's
condition is deteriorating. To deselect information, click on the information again.
-QT prolongation
-Exercise regimen
-Hematemesis
-Temperature
-Laxative use
-BMI - answerQT prolongation is correct. The finding of QT prolongation in the client's
ECG during the second visit reveals cardiac complications of anorexia nervosa.
Changes in electrolyte levels can shorten or prolong the QT interval. This is an
indication that the client's condition is deteriorating.
Exercise regimen is correct. The client's purchase of exercise equipment and working
out twice a day is a new manifestation of anorexia nervosa. This is an indication that the
client's condition is deteriorating.
Hematemesis is correct. New onset of hematemesis might be caused by esophageal
irritation or ulceration due to the increase in the frequency of induction of vomiting.
Continued induction of vomiting can cause esophageal rupture. Therefore,
hematemesis is an indication that the client's condition is deteriorating.
Temperature is incorrect. The client's temperature has remained within the expected
reference range. A decrease in body temperature with cool skin is an indication that the
client's condition is deteriorating.
Laxative use is incorrect. The client's cessation of the use of laxatives is an indication
that the client's condition is improving.
BMI is correct. The client's BMI decreased between visits, which indicates the client is
continuing to lose weight. This is an indication that the client's condition is deteriorating.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dementia and has wandered into the
day room looking for their deceased partner. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
a. Move the client to a room near the nurses' station.
b. Limit visitors until the client is oriented to the environment.
,c. Tell the client that their partner is deceased.
d. Talk with the client about activities they enjoyed with their partner. - answerd. Talk
with the client about activities they enjoyed with their partner.
Talking about positive experiences can help distract the client from their disorientation
A nurse is caring for a client who has alcohol use disorder.
Complete the following sentence by using the list of options.
The client is at greatest risk for ______ as evidenced by the client's ______.
Dropdown 1:
-Ineffective coping
-Dehydration
-Violent behavior
Dropdown 2:
-Agitation
-Loss of appetite
-Inability to perform simple tasks - answerDrop down 1:
Ineffective coping is incorrect. The nurse should continue to monitor the client for
ineffective coping and encourage the client to use coping techniques. However, this is
not the greatest risk for this client.
Dehydration is incorrect. The nurse should monitor the client's intake and encourage the
client to eat and drink. However, this is not the greatest risk for this client.
Violent behavior is correct. The greatest risk for the client is engaging in violent behavior
due to the withdrawal of alcohol, which is causing them increasing agitation. The nurse
should closely monitor the client and be prepared to intervene to protect the client and
others from injury.
Dropdown 2: Agitation is correct. The client is at greatest risk of engaging in violent
behavior as evidenced by the client's agitation, which can be indicated by pacing,
restlessness, staring, silence, rigid posture, and clenched jaw. The nurse should closely
monitor the client and be prepared to intervene to protect the client and others from
injury.
Loss of appetite is incorrect. The nurse should monitor the client's intake and encourage
the client to eat and drink. However, this is not the greatest risk for the client. Loss of
appetite is an expected finding for a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
Inability to perform simple tasks is incorrect. The nurse should monitor the client's ability
to perform simple tasks and encourage use of coping strategies. However, this is not
the greatest risk for the client.
, A nurse on a mental health unit is admitting a client who has bipolar disorder.
Complete the following sentence by using the list of options.
The first action the nurse should take is to address the client's ______ due to the client's
______. - answerWhen prioritizing hypotheses, the nurse should identify the greatest
risk to the client is cardiovascular injury due to constant psychomotor activity. The client
is pacing, moving arms and hands around dramatically, and is unable to sit still. This
can increase the client's blood pressure and heart rate, which can indicate unexpected
cardiovascular findings.
A nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the use of mechanical
restraints. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Complete documentation about the client's status every hour while they are in
restraints.
b. Maintain the client in restraints for a minimum of 4 hr.
c. Apply restraints when other means of managing the client's behavior have failed.
d. Request that the provider assess the client within 8 hr of the application of restraints.
- answerc. Apply restraints when other means of managing the client's behavior have
failed.
According to the Patient Self-Determination Act, clients have a right to be free from
restraints or seclusion unless the safety of the client or others is at risk. De-escalation
methods for controlling behavior should be attempted prior to initiating restraints.
A nurse is preparing to participate in an interdisciplinary conference for a client who has
bipolar disorder. Which of the following behaviors is the priority for the nurse to report to
the treatment team?
a. Calling family members
b. Spending time alone
c. Giving away possessions
d. Excessive crying - answerc. Giving away possessions
Giving away possessions indicates that this client is at greatest risk for suicide.
Therefore, this is the priority finding for the nurse to report to the treatment team.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a depressive disorder about fluoxetine. Which of
the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. "You might notice an increase in saliva while taking this medication."
b. "You might experience difficulties with sexual functioning while taking this
medication."
c. "You should expect an improvement in symptoms of depression in 3 to 4 days."
B
A nurse in an outpatient clinic is reviewing the medical record of a client who has
anorexia nervosa.
Click to highlight the information in the client's medical record that indicate the client's
condition is deteriorating. To deselect information, click on the information again.
-QT prolongation
-Exercise regimen
-Hematemesis
-Temperature
-Laxative use
-BMI - answerQT prolongation is correct. The finding of QT prolongation in the client's
ECG during the second visit reveals cardiac complications of anorexia nervosa.
Changes in electrolyte levels can shorten or prolong the QT interval. This is an
indication that the client's condition is deteriorating.
Exercise regimen is correct. The client's purchase of exercise equipment and working
out twice a day is a new manifestation of anorexia nervosa. This is an indication that the
client's condition is deteriorating.
Hematemesis is correct. New onset of hematemesis might be caused by esophageal
irritation or ulceration due to the increase in the frequency of induction of vomiting.
Continued induction of vomiting can cause esophageal rupture. Therefore,
hematemesis is an indication that the client's condition is deteriorating.
Temperature is incorrect. The client's temperature has remained within the expected
reference range. A decrease in body temperature with cool skin is an indication that the
client's condition is deteriorating.
Laxative use is incorrect. The client's cessation of the use of laxatives is an indication
that the client's condition is improving.
BMI is correct. The client's BMI decreased between visits, which indicates the client is
continuing to lose weight. This is an indication that the client's condition is deteriorating.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dementia and has wandered into the
day room looking for their deceased partner. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
a. Move the client to a room near the nurses' station.
b. Limit visitors until the client is oriented to the environment.
,c. Tell the client that their partner is deceased.
d. Talk with the client about activities they enjoyed with their partner. - answerd. Talk
with the client about activities they enjoyed with their partner.
Talking about positive experiences can help distract the client from their disorientation
A nurse is caring for a client who has alcohol use disorder.
Complete the following sentence by using the list of options.
The client is at greatest risk for ______ as evidenced by the client's ______.
Dropdown 1:
-Ineffective coping
-Dehydration
-Violent behavior
Dropdown 2:
-Agitation
-Loss of appetite
-Inability to perform simple tasks - answerDrop down 1:
Ineffective coping is incorrect. The nurse should continue to monitor the client for
ineffective coping and encourage the client to use coping techniques. However, this is
not the greatest risk for this client.
Dehydration is incorrect. The nurse should monitor the client's intake and encourage the
client to eat and drink. However, this is not the greatest risk for this client.
Violent behavior is correct. The greatest risk for the client is engaging in violent behavior
due to the withdrawal of alcohol, which is causing them increasing agitation. The nurse
should closely monitor the client and be prepared to intervene to protect the client and
others from injury.
Dropdown 2: Agitation is correct. The client is at greatest risk of engaging in violent
behavior as evidenced by the client's agitation, which can be indicated by pacing,
restlessness, staring, silence, rigid posture, and clenched jaw. The nurse should closely
monitor the client and be prepared to intervene to protect the client and others from
injury.
Loss of appetite is incorrect. The nurse should monitor the client's intake and encourage
the client to eat and drink. However, this is not the greatest risk for the client. Loss of
appetite is an expected finding for a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
Inability to perform simple tasks is incorrect. The nurse should monitor the client's ability
to perform simple tasks and encourage use of coping strategies. However, this is not
the greatest risk for the client.
, A nurse on a mental health unit is admitting a client who has bipolar disorder.
Complete the following sentence by using the list of options.
The first action the nurse should take is to address the client's ______ due to the client's
______. - answerWhen prioritizing hypotheses, the nurse should identify the greatest
risk to the client is cardiovascular injury due to constant psychomotor activity. The client
is pacing, moving arms and hands around dramatically, and is unable to sit still. This
can increase the client's blood pressure and heart rate, which can indicate unexpected
cardiovascular findings.
A nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the use of mechanical
restraints. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Complete documentation about the client's status every hour while they are in
restraints.
b. Maintain the client in restraints for a minimum of 4 hr.
c. Apply restraints when other means of managing the client's behavior have failed.
d. Request that the provider assess the client within 8 hr of the application of restraints.
- answerc. Apply restraints when other means of managing the client's behavior have
failed.
According to the Patient Self-Determination Act, clients have a right to be free from
restraints or seclusion unless the safety of the client or others is at risk. De-escalation
methods for controlling behavior should be attempted prior to initiating restraints.
A nurse is preparing to participate in an interdisciplinary conference for a client who has
bipolar disorder. Which of the following behaviors is the priority for the nurse to report to
the treatment team?
a. Calling family members
b. Spending time alone
c. Giving away possessions
d. Excessive crying - answerc. Giving away possessions
Giving away possessions indicates that this client is at greatest risk for suicide.
Therefore, this is the priority finding for the nurse to report to the treatment team.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a depressive disorder about fluoxetine. Which of
the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. "You might notice an increase in saliva while taking this medication."
b. "You might experience difficulties with sexual functioning while taking this
medication."
c. "You should expect an improvement in symptoms of depression in 3 to 4 days."
