Psych Nursing Final Exam Review
A client hates her mother because of childhood neglect. The nurse determines which client statement
represents the use of the defense mechanism of reaction formation?
A. "I don't like to talk about my relationship with my mother."
B. "My mother hates me."
C. "I have a very wonderful mother whom I love very much."
D. "She always loved my sister more than she loved me." - Answer-C. "I have a very wonderful mother
whom I love very much."
A widow of 23 years has not removed any of her husband's possessions, including the slippers by their
bed. Which pathological grief response is exhibited by this client?
A. Inhibited grief response
B. Prolonged grief response
C. Delayed grief response
D. Distorted grief response - Answer-B. Prolonged grief response
Assessing a client with occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent death of a pet, appetite
sleep pattern & daily routine has not changed... - Answer-No functional impairment
,At what point should the nurse determine the client is at risk for developing mental illness? - Answer-
When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.
During an intake assessment, the nurses asks physiological and psychosocial questions. Client angrily
responds, "I'm here for my heart, not my head problems." What is the nurse's best response? - Answer-
Psychological factors such as excessive stress have been found to affect medical conditions.
When under stress, client routinely uses alcohol to destress. Which statement exhibits denial? -
Answer-Client says to husband, "I don't drink too much."
A depressed client states, "I have a chemical imbalance in my brain I have no control over my actions.
Medications are my only hope." What is the nurse's best response? - Answer-Medications only address
biological factors, environment and interpersonal factors must be addressed too.
An instructor is teaching nursing student about neurotransmitters. Which term best explains the process
of how neurotransmitters released in the synaptic cleft may return to the presynaptic neuron? -
Answer-Reuptake
Restless, agitated client is manifesting fight-or-flight, associated with which neurotransmitter? -
Answer-Norepinephrine
Client diagnosed with MDD asks, "what part of my brain controls my emotions?" What is the nurse's
best response? - Answer-The limbic system is responsible for one's emotional state.
Increased dopamine activity may play a significant role in developing which mental disorder? - Answer-
Schizophrenia--too much dopamine
Antipsychotics: block dopamine receptor sites
, Parkinson's--not enough dopamine, if you give too many antipsychotics to pt with schizophrenia:
parkinsonian's syndrome
Client admitted with catatonic schizophrenia. Which neurotransmitter should the nurse expect to be
elevated? - Answer-Dopamine
Symptoms associated with development of increased levels of TSH... - Answer-Depression,
hypothyroidism
Decreased TSH: anxiety, hyperthyroidism.
Without authorization, nurse administers extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to agitated patient,
coworker sees but takes no action... - Answer-Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by
the coworker.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged but not mandatory in inpatient psych unit. Unit manager's policy
preserves what ethical principle? - Answer-Autonomy
Which potential client should the nurse identify as a candidate for involuntary commitment? - Answer-
Client threatening to commit suicide
(takes 2 physicians for involuntary commitment; only condition for involuntary commitment is danger to
self or others)
Client is dx with schizophrenia & refuses to take medications, citing right of autonomy. When can nurse
give the patient medications involuntarily? - Answer-Client physically attacks another client (danger to
others)
Psych nurse working on inpatient unit receives a call asking if a person has been a patient in the facility.
What is the appropriate nursing response? - Answer-Nurse refuses to give information to the caller,
citing confidentiality.
A client hates her mother because of childhood neglect. The nurse determines which client statement
represents the use of the defense mechanism of reaction formation?
A. "I don't like to talk about my relationship with my mother."
B. "My mother hates me."
C. "I have a very wonderful mother whom I love very much."
D. "She always loved my sister more than she loved me." - Answer-C. "I have a very wonderful mother
whom I love very much."
A widow of 23 years has not removed any of her husband's possessions, including the slippers by their
bed. Which pathological grief response is exhibited by this client?
A. Inhibited grief response
B. Prolonged grief response
C. Delayed grief response
D. Distorted grief response - Answer-B. Prolonged grief response
Assessing a client with occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent death of a pet, appetite
sleep pattern & daily routine has not changed... - Answer-No functional impairment
,At what point should the nurse determine the client is at risk for developing mental illness? - Answer-
When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning.
During an intake assessment, the nurses asks physiological and psychosocial questions. Client angrily
responds, "I'm here for my heart, not my head problems." What is the nurse's best response? - Answer-
Psychological factors such as excessive stress have been found to affect medical conditions.
When under stress, client routinely uses alcohol to destress. Which statement exhibits denial? -
Answer-Client says to husband, "I don't drink too much."
A depressed client states, "I have a chemical imbalance in my brain I have no control over my actions.
Medications are my only hope." What is the nurse's best response? - Answer-Medications only address
biological factors, environment and interpersonal factors must be addressed too.
An instructor is teaching nursing student about neurotransmitters. Which term best explains the process
of how neurotransmitters released in the synaptic cleft may return to the presynaptic neuron? -
Answer-Reuptake
Restless, agitated client is manifesting fight-or-flight, associated with which neurotransmitter? -
Answer-Norepinephrine
Client diagnosed with MDD asks, "what part of my brain controls my emotions?" What is the nurse's
best response? - Answer-The limbic system is responsible for one's emotional state.
Increased dopamine activity may play a significant role in developing which mental disorder? - Answer-
Schizophrenia--too much dopamine
Antipsychotics: block dopamine receptor sites
, Parkinson's--not enough dopamine, if you give too many antipsychotics to pt with schizophrenia:
parkinsonian's syndrome
Client admitted with catatonic schizophrenia. Which neurotransmitter should the nurse expect to be
elevated? - Answer-Dopamine
Symptoms associated with development of increased levels of TSH... - Answer-Depression,
hypothyroidism
Decreased TSH: anxiety, hyperthyroidism.
Without authorization, nurse administers extra dose of narcotic tranquilizer to agitated patient,
coworker sees but takes no action... - Answer-Taking no action is still considered an unethical action by
the coworker.
Group therapy is strongly encouraged but not mandatory in inpatient psych unit. Unit manager's policy
preserves what ethical principle? - Answer-Autonomy
Which potential client should the nurse identify as a candidate for involuntary commitment? - Answer-
Client threatening to commit suicide
(takes 2 physicians for involuntary commitment; only condition for involuntary commitment is danger to
self or others)
Client is dx with schizophrenia & refuses to take medications, citing right of autonomy. When can nurse
give the patient medications involuntarily? - Answer-Client physically attacks another client (danger to
others)
Psych nurse working on inpatient unit receives a call asking if a person has been a patient in the facility.
What is the appropriate nursing response? - Answer-Nurse refuses to give information to the caller,
citing confidentiality.
