NCLEX Practice Questions for Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (RN) Exam Questions with Correct Answers

NCLEX Practice Questions for Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (RN) Exam Questions with Correct Answers 5. A patient diagnosed with terminal cancer says to the nurse "I'm going ot die, and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so angry when they carry on like this. After all, I'm the one who's dying." Which response by the nurse is therapeutic? a. "Have you shared your feelings with your family?" b. "I think we should talk more about your anger with your family." c. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?" d. "You are probably very depressed, which is understanble with such a diagnosis" - Answer-(C) "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured?" RATIONALE: Restating is a therapeutic communication technique in which the nurse repeats what the patient says to show understanding and to review what was said. While it is appropriate for the nurse to attempt to assess the patient's ability to discuss feelings openly with family members, it does not help the patient discuss the feelings causing the anger. The nurse's attempt to focus on the central issue of anger is premature. The nurse would never make a judgment regarding the reason for the patient's feeing, this is non-therapeutic in the one-to-one relationship. 6. On review of the patients record, the nurse notes the admission was voluntary. Based on this information, the nurse anticipates which patient behaviour? a. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures. b. Anger and aggressiveness directed toward others. c. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the diagnosis d. A willingness to participate in the planning of the care and treatment plan - Answer-(D) A willingness to participate in the planning of the care and treatment plan RATIONALE: In general, patients seek voluntary admission. If a patient seeks voluntary admission, the most likely expectations is the patient will participate in the treatment program since they are actively seeking help. The remaining options are not characteristics of this type of admission. Fearfulness, anger, and aggressiveness are more characteristic of an involuntary admission. Voluntary admission does not guarantee a patients understanding of their illness, only of their desire for help. 7. A patient admitted voluntarily for treatment of an anxiety disorder demands to be released from the hospital. Which action should the nurse take INITIALLY? a. Contact the patients health care provider (HCP) b. Call the patients family to arrange for transportations. c. Attempt to persuade the patient to stay "for only a few more days" d. Tell the patient that leaving would likely result in an involuntary commitment - Answer-(A) Contact the patients health care provider (HCP) RATIONALE: In general, patients seek, voluntary admission. Voluntary patients have the right to demand and obtain release. The nurse needs to be familiar with the state and facility policies and procedures. The best nursing action is to contact the HCP, who has the authority to discuss discharge with the patient. While arranging for safe transportation is appropriate it is premature in this situation and should be done only with the patients' permission. While it is appropriate to discuss why the patient feels the need to leave and the possible outcomes of leaving against medical advice, attempting to get the patient to agree to staying "a few more days" has little value and will not likely be successful. Many states require that the patient submit a written release notice to the facility staff members, who reevaluate the patient's condition for possible conversion to involuntary status if necessary, according to criteria established by law. While this is a possibility, it should not be used as a threat to the patient.