A nursing student is assisting with the care of a client with a chronic mental illness. The nurse
informs the student that a behavior modification approach (operant conditioning) will be used in
treatment for the client. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further information
about the therapy? - Answers "It uses negative reinforcement."
A client with a potential for violence is exhibiting aggressive gestures, making belligerent
comments to the other clients, and is continuously pacing in the hallway. Which comment by
the nurse would be therapeutic at this time? - Answers "What is causing you to become
agitated?"
A client tentatively diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder says to the nurse, "I don't
know why I got my tattoo; it was for me. OK? Sometimes I do these things to get my parents
mad, and sometimes I do them because I'm bored. That's what happened the night I crashed the
family car. I wasn't drunk or suicidal or anything like the police thought. It was just for kicks!"
Which is the appropriate nursing response? - Answers "It is scary when you feel out of control
with such feelings of emptiness and anger that you can't stop yourself."
An acutely depressed client is receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy. The nurse is developing a
plan of care for the client and includes interventions that focus on this type of therapy. Which
interventions should the nurse include? Select all that apply. - Answers 1.
Assisting the client to identify and test negative cognition
2.
Assisting the client to participate in the treatment process
3.
Assisting the client to develop alternative thinking patterns
4.
Assisting the client to rehearse new cognitive and behavioral responses
A homeless shelter has sustained severe damage as a result of a fire, and most of the structure
and people's belongings were destroyed. Ten of the individuals who are being displaced have a
history of chronic mental illness. The mental health team coordinating support initially should
focus their efforts on which action? - Answers Providing the clients with shelter, clothing, and
, food
The nurse is planning care for a client with bipolar disorder who is experiencing psychomotor
agitation. Which activity should the nurse plan for this client? - Answers Including the client in a
clay-molding class that is scheduled for today
A client experiencing a great deal of stress and anxiety is being taught to use self-control
therapy. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching about the therapy? -
Answers "This form of therapy provides a negative reinforcement when the stimulus is
produced."
The nurse reviews the assessment data of a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of
anxiety. The nurse should assign priority to which assessment finding? - Answers Fist clenched,
pounding table, fearful
The spouse of an alcoholic client is attending a support group and says to the group members,
"It's all very well for everyone to label me an enabler, but if I didn't call him in sick at work, he'd
lose his job. Where would we be then?" Which statement by the nurse co-leader would be
therapeutic? - Answers "Do you know that enabling creates codependency? Isn't viewing his
failure as yours significant?"
A nurse is developing a care plan that will include goals that will help the client achieve an
optimal level of functioning and appropriate resource utilization. When the nurse enters the
client's room, the client asks the nurse, "Could you ask the health care provider (HCP) to let me
have a pass for the weekend?" Which response is appropriate that assists the client in achieving
these goals? - Answers "When the HCP arrives on the unit, I will let them know that you have a
question."
A client admitted to a mental health unit for treatment of psychotic behavior spends hours at
the locked exit door shouting, "Let me out. There's nothing wrong with me. I don't belong here."
What defense mechanism is the client implementing? - Answers Denial
A client admitted to the mental health unit with depression states to the nurse, "My life has been
such a failure. Nothing I do turns out right." Which therapeutic response should the nurse make?
- Answers "You seem very discouraged. Can you think of anything recently that went as you
planned?"
During a nursing interview, a client says, "My daughter was murdered in her New York apartment,
and her estranged husband called to tell me. I can't help wondering if he killed her, but the police
have eliminated him as a suspect." Which statement is a therapeutic nursing response? -
Answers "Have you shared your concerns with the police?"
The nurse has been working with a victim of rape in a clinic setting for the past 4 weeks. Which
would be unrealistic as a short-term initial goal for this client? - Answers The client will resolve
feelings of fear and anxiety related to the rape trauma.