A patient at a general medical clinic tells the nurse, "I have so many ailments that I need
to see six different doctors. None of them has discovered what is really wrong with me."
Which comment should the nurse offer next?
A) "Let's review all the medications you currently take."
B) "Tell me about allergic reactions you've had to medication."
C) "Selecting one primary care provider would be better for you."
D) "I'm not sure I understand how you can afford these expenses."
A nurse in an outpatient medical clinic talks to a patient with a long history of
malingering and doctor-shopping. The patient continues to express complaints of
multiple problems. Select the nurse's best comment to the patient.
A) "The treatment team believes you would benefit more from seeing a mental health
professional."
B) "The treatment team discussed your case and wants to begin a special case
management program for you."
C) "Because you take a number of medications, it would be safer to have them filled at
the same pharmacy."
D) "Diagnostic testing has shown no medical problems, and you are using more than
your fair share of health care services."
A patient in the ED was seen for the third time in a month with complaints of tremors
and parasthesia in the lower extremities. Neurological function disorder was diagnosed.
While preparing for discharge, the patient says, "Now I'm having chest pain, but it's
probably nothing" How should the nurse respond?
A) Assess the patient's most current lab values
B) Interrupt the discharge and arrange additional medical evaluation of the patient
C) Remind the patient, "The diagnostic tests showed you did not have a medical
problem."
D) Tell the patient, "Being in the emergency department for a long time can be very
distressing."
A patient has been identified as having a somatoform disorder. Which of the following
should the nurse do when interacting with the patient?
A) Ignore feelings to avoid promoting progression of symptoms
B) Redirect conversation away from feelings but show interest toward the patient
,C) Encourage the use of benzodiazepines on a consistent basis to reduce anxiety
D) Suggest the patient direct all questions to the nurse and not the medical provider
Which disorder would the nurse suspect when a person takes their child from doctor to
doctor and from hospital to hospital with a variety of intentionally induced symptoms?
A) Illness anxiety disorder
B) Functional neurological disorder
C) Factitious disorder imposed by another
D) Rumination disorder
A 28-year-old second-grade teacher is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. She
grew up in Texas but moved to Alaska 10 years ago to separate from an abusive
mother. Her father died by suicide when she was 12 years old. Which combination of
factors in this scenario best demonstrates the stress-diathesis model?
A) Cold climate coupled with a history of abuse
B) Current age of 28 coupled with a family history of depression
C) Family history of mental illness coupled with a history of abuse
D) Female gender coupled with the stressful profession of teaching
A patient tells the nurse, "No matter what I do, I feel like there's always a dark cloud
following me." Select the nurse's initial action.
A) Assess the patient's current sleep and eating patterns
B) Explain to the patient, "Everyone feels down from time to time."
C) Suggest alternative activities for times when the patient feels depressed
D) Say to the patient, "Tell me more about what you mean by 'a dark cloud.'"
A patient experiencing depression says to the nurse, "My health care provider said I
need 'talk' therapy, but I think I need a prescription for an antidepressant medication.
What should I do?" Select the nurse's best response.
A) "Which antidepressant medication do you think would be helpful?"
B) "There are different types of talk therapy. Most patients find it beneficial."
C) "Let's consider some ways to address your concerns with your health care provider."
D) "Are you willing to give 'talk therapy' a try before starting an antidepressant
medication?"
The nurse cares for a hospitalized adolescent diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. The health care provider prescribes a low-dose antidepressant. In
consideration of published warnings about the use of antidepressant medications in
younger patients, which action(s) should the nurse employ? SATA.
A) Notify the facility's patient advocate about the new prescription
,B) Teach the adolescent about Black Box warnings associated with antidepressant
medications
C) Monitor the adolescent closely for evidence of adverse effects, particularly suicidal
thinking or behavior
D) Remind the health care provider about warnings associated with the use of
antidepressants in children and adolescents
Over the past 2 months, a patient made eight suicide attempts with increasing lethality.
The health care provider informs the patient and family that electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) is needed. The family whispers to the nurse, "Isn't this a dangerous treatment?"
How should the nurse reply?
A) "Our facility has an excellent record of safety associated with the use of
electroconvulsive therapy."
B) "Your family member will eventually be successful with suicide if aggressive
measures are not promptly taken."
C) "Yes, there are hazards with electroconvulsive therapy. You should discuss these
concerns with the health care provider."
D) "Electroconvulsive therapy is very effective when urgent help is needed. Your family
member was carefully evaluated for possible risks."
A patient has a long history of bipolar disorder with frequent episodes of mania
secondary to stopping prescribed medications. The patient says, "I will use my whole
check next month to buy lottery tickets. Winning will solve all my money problems."
Select the nurse's best action.
A) Educate the patient about the low odds of winning the lottery
B) Present reality by saying to the patient, "That is not a good use of your money."
C) Confer with the treatment team about appointing a legal guardian for the patient
D) Tell the patient, "If you buy lottery tickets, your money will run out before the end of
the month."
Which comment by a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder best indicates the patient
is experiencing mania?
A) "I have been sleeping about 6 hours each night."
B) "Yesterday I made 487 posts on my social network page."
C) "I am having dreams about my father's death 8 years ago."
D) "My appetite is so robust that I've gained 4 pounds in the past 2 weeks."
A community mental health nurse counsels a group of patients about the upcoming flu
season. What instruction does the nurse provide for patients who are prescribed
lithium?
A) "Call the clinic if you have nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea or are unable to stay well
hydrated."
, B) "Remember that lithium reduces your immunity, so you are more vulnerable to
catching the flu."
C) "The flu is contagious. Isolate yourself if you get the flu so that you avoid exposing
others to it."
D) "Because you take lithium, you may have flu symptoms that are not typically
experienced by others."
A patient was diagnosed with bipolar disorder many years ago. The patient tells the
nurse, "When I have a manic episode, there's always a feeling of gloom behind it, and I
know soon I will be totally depressed." What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Most patient's diagnosed with bipolar disorder report the same types of feelings."
B) "Feelings of gloom associated with depression result from serotonin dysregulation."
C) "If you take your medication as it is prescribed, you will not have those experiences."
D) "Your comment indicates you have an understanding of and insight about your
disorder."
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder lives in the community and is showing early
signs of mania. The patient says, "I need to go visit my daughter, but she lives across
the country. I put some requests on the Internet to get a ride. I'm sure someone will take
me." What is the nurse's most therapeutic response?
A) "I'm concerned about your safety when meeting or riding with strangers."
B) "Have you asked friends and family to donate money for your airfare?"
C) "You are not likely to get a ride. Let's consider some other strategies."
D) "Have you asked your daughter if she wants you to come for a visit?"
A patient smiles broadly at the nurse and says, "Look at my clean teeth. I brushed them
with scouring powder because the label said, 'It brightens and whitens everything.'"
Which term should the nurse include when documenting the encounter?
A) Circumstantiality
B) Concrete thinking
C) Poverty of speech
D) Associative looseness
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "I hear the voices every day. They always
say bad things about me." Which action by the nurse has the highest priority?
A) Assess the patient for suicidal thinking and plans
B) Review the patient's medication regimen and adherence
C) Educate the patient about symptoms associated with schizophrenia
D) Suggest distracters for the patient to use when auditory hallucinations occur
Three days after beginning a new regime of haloperidol (Haldol), the nurse observes
that a hospitalized patient is drooling, has stiff and extended extremities, and has skin