PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM #4 CASE
STUDY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A 14-year-old client has just been admitted to the psychiatric unit for
anorexia nervosa. They are emaciated and refuses to eat. What is the
primary nursing diagnosis for this client?
a. Complicated grieving
b. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements
c. Interrupted family processes
d. Anxiety (severe) - correct answer- B
A client diagnosed with a personality disorder is cold, aloof, and avoids
others on the unit. The nurse recognizes that this behavior is
symptomatic of which personality disorder?
A. schizoid personality disorder
B. Antisocial personality disorder
C. Boderline personality disorder
D. Dependent personality disorder - correct answer- A. Schizoid
personality disorder
,A client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder approaches the
nurse and says "You're so cute, are you married?" Which is the most
appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "I'm married but that's none of your business."
b. "Let's talk about your love life instead."
c. "Thank-you so much for the compliment but I'm married."
d. "Our relationship is strictly professional. It's not appropriate for us to
have that kind of discussion." - correct answer- D
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is admitted to a
psychiatric unit. Which behavior pattern would the nurse expect to
observe?
A. Social isolation
B. Bizzare speech patterns
C. Suspicious of others
D. Generates conflict among the staff - correct answer- D. Generates
conflict among the staff
A client diagnosed with BPD manipulates the staff in an effort to fulfill
their own desires. All of the following may be examples of manipulative
behaviors except:
a. Refusal to stay in room alone, stating, "It's so lonely."
b. Asking the nurse for cigarettes after 30 minutes, knowing that the
assigned nurse has explained the client must wait 1 hour.
, c. Stating to the nurse, "I really like having you for my nurse. You're the
best one around here."
d. Making superficial cuts to their arms after discussing discharge plans
with physician. - correct answer- A
A client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder tells the nurse about
a pain in their side. The client says they have not experienced it before.
Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "I don't want to hear about another physical complaint. You know
they are all in your head. It's time for group therapy now."
b. "Let's sit down here together, and you can tell me about this new pain
you are experiencing. You'll just have to miss group therapy today."
c. "I will report this pain to your physician. In the meantime, group
therapy starts in 5 minutes."
d. "I will call your physician and see if he will order a new pain
medication for your side. The one you have now doesn't seem to provide
relief. Why don't you get some rest for now?" - correct answer- C
A client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder, states, "My doctor
thinks I should see a psychiatrist. I can't imagine why he would make
such a suggestion." What is the most common basis for the client's
statement?
a. Lack of trust in the physician
b. Lack of understanding about the correlation of symptoms and stress
c. Lack of understanding about the role of a psychiatrist
d. Lack of financial resources - correct answer- B
STUDY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A 14-year-old client has just been admitted to the psychiatric unit for
anorexia nervosa. They are emaciated and refuses to eat. What is the
primary nursing diagnosis for this client?
a. Complicated grieving
b. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements
c. Interrupted family processes
d. Anxiety (severe) - correct answer- B
A client diagnosed with a personality disorder is cold, aloof, and avoids
others on the unit. The nurse recognizes that this behavior is
symptomatic of which personality disorder?
A. schizoid personality disorder
B. Antisocial personality disorder
C. Boderline personality disorder
D. Dependent personality disorder - correct answer- A. Schizoid
personality disorder
,A client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder approaches the
nurse and says "You're so cute, are you married?" Which is the most
appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "I'm married but that's none of your business."
b. "Let's talk about your love life instead."
c. "Thank-you so much for the compliment but I'm married."
d. "Our relationship is strictly professional. It's not appropriate for us to
have that kind of discussion." - correct answer- D
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is admitted to a
psychiatric unit. Which behavior pattern would the nurse expect to
observe?
A. Social isolation
B. Bizzare speech patterns
C. Suspicious of others
D. Generates conflict among the staff - correct answer- D. Generates
conflict among the staff
A client diagnosed with BPD manipulates the staff in an effort to fulfill
their own desires. All of the following may be examples of manipulative
behaviors except:
a. Refusal to stay in room alone, stating, "It's so lonely."
b. Asking the nurse for cigarettes after 30 minutes, knowing that the
assigned nurse has explained the client must wait 1 hour.
, c. Stating to the nurse, "I really like having you for my nurse. You're the
best one around here."
d. Making superficial cuts to their arms after discussing discharge plans
with physician. - correct answer- A
A client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder tells the nurse about
a pain in their side. The client says they have not experienced it before.
Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "I don't want to hear about another physical complaint. You know
they are all in your head. It's time for group therapy now."
b. "Let's sit down here together, and you can tell me about this new pain
you are experiencing. You'll just have to miss group therapy today."
c. "I will report this pain to your physician. In the meantime, group
therapy starts in 5 minutes."
d. "I will call your physician and see if he will order a new pain
medication for your side. The one you have now doesn't seem to provide
relief. Why don't you get some rest for now?" - correct answer- C
A client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder, states, "My doctor
thinks I should see a psychiatrist. I can't imagine why he would make
such a suggestion." What is the most common basis for the client's
statement?
a. Lack of trust in the physician
b. Lack of understanding about the correlation of symptoms and stress
c. Lack of understanding about the role of a psychiatrist
d. Lack of financial resources - correct answer- B
