NURS 421 Psychiatric and Mental Health Exam 4 Overview (2025/2026): LATEST VERSION WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE, DETAILED ANSWERS FROM TRUSTED SOURCES.

NURS 421 Psychiatric and Mental Health Exam 4 Overview (2025/2026): LATEST VERSION WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE, DETAILED ANSWERS FROM TRUSTED SOURCES. A suicidal client says to a nurse, "There's nothing to live for anymore." Which is the most appropriate nursing reply? A. "Why don't you consider doing volunteer work in a homeless shelter?" B. "Let's discuss the negative aspects of your life." C. "Things will look better in the morning." D. "It sounds like you are feeling pretty hopeless." - ANSWER ANS: D This statement verbalizes the client's implied feelings and allows him or her to validate and explore them. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A new nursing graduate asks the psychiatric nurse manager how to best classify suicide. Which is the nurse manager's best reply? A. "Suicide is a DSM-5 diagnosis." B. "Suicide is a mental disorder." C. "Suicide is a behavior." D. "Suicide is an antisocial affliction." - ANSWER ANS: C Suicide is not a diagnosis, disorder, or affliction. It is a behavior. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Teaching/Learning | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A nursing student is developing a plan of care for a suicidal client. Which documented intervention should the student implement first? A. Communicate therapeutically. B. Observe the client. C. Provide a hazard-free environment. D. Assess suicide risk. - ANSWER ANS: D Assessment is the first step of the nursing process to gain needed information to determine further appropriate interventions. KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment Which is a correctly written, appropriate outcome for a client with a history of suicide attempts who is currently exhibiting symptoms of low self-esteem by isolating self? A. The client will not physically harm self. B. The client will express three positive self-attributes by day 4. C. The client will reveal a suicide plan. D. The client will establish a trusting relationship. - ANSWER ANS: B Although the client has a history of suicide attempts, the current problem is isolative behaviors based on low self-esteem. Outcomes should be client centered, specific, realistic, and measureable and contain a time frame. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Planning | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A nursing instructor is teaching about suicide. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred? A. "Suicidal threats and gestures should be considered manipulative and/or attention-seeking." B. "Suicide is the act of a psychotic person." C. "All suicidal individuals are mentally ill." D. "Fifty to eighty percent of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt." - ANSWER ANS: D It is a fact that between 50% and 80% of all people who kill themselves have a history of a previous attempt. All other answer choices are myths about suicide. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Evaluation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment A nurse is caring for four clients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. When considering each client's belief system, the nurse should conclude which client would potentially be at highest risk for suicide? A. Roman Catholic B. Protestant C. Atheist D. Muslim - ANSWER ANS: C Depressed men and women who consider themselves affiliated with a religion are less likely to attempt suicide than their nonreligious counterparts. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Analysis | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment Which nursing intervention strategy is most appropriate to implement initially with a suicidal client? A. Ask a direct question such as, "Do you ever think about killing yourself?" B. Ask client, "Please rate your mood on a scale from 1 to 10." C. Establish a trusting nurse-client relationship. D. Apply the nursing process to the planning of client care. - ANSWER ANS: A The risk of suicide is greatly increased if the client has suicidal ideations, if the client has developed a plan, and particularly if the means exist for the client to execute the plan. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment A client is newly committed to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which nursing intervention best lowers this client's risk for suicide? A. Encouraging participation in the milieu to promote hope B. Developing a strong personal relationship with the client C. Observing the client at intervals determined by assessed data D. Encouraging and redirecting the client to concentrate on happier times - ANSWER ANS: C The nurse should observe the actively suicidal client continuously for the first hour after admission. After a full assessment the treatment team will determine the observation status of the client. Observation of the client allows the nurse to interrupt any observed suicidal behaviors. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment Which client data indicate that a suicidal client is participating in a plan for safety? A. Compliance with antidepressant therapy B. A mood rating of 9/10 C. Disclosing a plan for suicide to staff D. Expressing feelings of hopelessness to nurse - ANSWER ANS: C A degree of the responsibility for the suicidal client's safety is given to the client. When a client shares with staff a plan for suicide, the client is participating in a plan for safety by communicating thoughts of self-harm that would initiate interventions to prevent suicide. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Evaluation | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity Which statement indicates that the nurse is acting as an advocate for a client who was hospitalized after a suicide attempt and is now nearing discharge? A. "I must observe you continually for 1 hour in order to keep you safe." B. "Let's confer with the treatment team about the resources that you may need after discharge." C. "You must have been very upset to do what you did today." D. "Are you currently thinking about harming yourself?" - ANSWER ANS: B The nurse is functioning in an advocacy role when collaborating with the client and treatment team to discuss client problems and needs. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A client is newly admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which of the following is most critical to assess when determining risk for suicide? A. Family history of depression B. The client's orientation to reality C. The client's history of suicide attempts D. Family support systems - ANSWER ANS: C A history of suicide attempts places a client at a higher risk for current suicide behaviors. Knowing this specific data will alert the nurse to the client's risk. KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment A client has been brought to the emergency department for signs and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The client has a history of a suicide attempt 1 year ago. Which nursing intervention would take priority in this situation? A. Assessing the client's pulse oximetry and vital signs B. Developing a plan for safety for the client C. Assessing the client for suicidal ideations D. Establishing a trusting nurse-client relationship - ANSWER ANS: A It is important to prioritize client interventions that assess the symptoms of COPD prior to any other nursing intervention. Physical needs must be prioritized according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. This client's problems with oxygenation will take priority over assessing for current suicidal ideations. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment After a teenager reveals that he is gay, the father responds by beating him. The next morning, the teenager is found hanging in his closet. Which paternal grief responses should a nurse anticipate? Select all that apply. A. "I can't believe this is happening." B. "If only I had been more understanding." C. "How dare he do this to me!" D. "I'm just going to have to accept that he was gay." E. "Well, that was a selfish thing to do." - ANSWER ANS: A, B, C Suicide of a family member can induce a whole gamut of feelings in the survivors. Shock, disbelief, guilt, remorse, anger, and resentment are all feelings that may be experienced by this father. The last two possible responses suggest acceptance and understanding. It is far more common for survivors of suicide to have a sense of feeling wounded and as if they will never get over it. KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A nursing student is developing a study guide related to historical facts about suicide. Which of the following facts should the student include? Select all that apply. A. In the Middle Ages, suicide was viewed as a selfish and criminal act. B. During the Roman Empire, suicide was followed by incineration of the body. C. Suicide was an offense in ancient Greece, and a common-site burial was denied. D. During the Renaissance, suicide was discussed and viewed more philosophically. E. Old Norse traditionally set a person who committed suicide adrift in the North Sea. - ANSWER ANS: A, C, D These are true historical facts about suicide and should be included in the student's study guide. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Teaching/Learning | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A client is diagnosed with persistent depressive (dysthymia) disorder. Which should a nurse classify as an affective symptom of this disorder? A. Social isolation with a focus on self B. Low energy level C. Difficulty concentrating D. Gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life - ANSWER ANS: D The nurse should classify a gloomy and pessimistic outlook on life as an affective symptom of dysthymia. Symptoms of depression can be described as alterations in four areas of human functions: affective, behavioral, cognitive, and physiological. Affective symptoms are those that relate to the mood. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which nursing diagnosis should a nurse assign to this client to address a behavioral symptom of this disorder? A. Altered communication R/T feelings of worthlessness AEB anhedonia B. Social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room C. Altered thought processes R/T hopelessness AEB persecutory delusions D. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements R/T high anxiety AEB anorexia - ANSWER ANS: B A nursing diagnosis of social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room addresses a behavioral symptom of major depressive disorder. Other behavioral symptoms include psychomotor retardation, virtually nonexistent communication, maintaining a fetal position, and no personal hygiene and/or grooming. KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Analysis | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A nurse assesses a client suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which client symptom would eliminate this diagnosis? A. The client is disheveled and malodorous. B. The client refuses to interact with others. C. The client is unable to feel any pleasure. D. The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous behaviors. - ANSWER ANS: D The nurse should assess that a client who has maxed-out credit cards and exhibits promiscuous behavior would be exhibiting manic symptoms. According to the DSM-5, these symptoms would rule out the diagnosis of major depressive disorder. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a 29-year-old client suspected of having major depressive disorder. Which laboratory value would potentially rule out this diagnosis? A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 6.2 U/mL B. Potassium (K+) level of 4.2 mEq/L C. Sodium (Na+) level of 140 mEq/L D. Calcium (Ca2+) level of 9.5 mg/dL - ANSWER ANS: A According to the DSM-5, symptoms of major depressive disorder cannot be due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism). The diagnosis of major depressive disorder may be ruled out if the client's laboratory results indicate a high TSH level (normal range for this age group is 0.4 to 4.2 U/mL), which results from a low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism. In hypothyroidism metabolic processes are slowed, leading to depressive symptoms. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity A depressed client reports to a nurse a history of divorce, job loss, family estrangement, and cocaine abuse. According to learning theory, what is the cause of this client's symptoms? A. Depression is a result of anger turned inward. B. Depression is a result of abandonment. C. Depression is a result of repeated failures. D. Depression is a result of negative thinking. - ANSWER ANS: C Learning theory describes a model of "learned helplessness" in which multiple life failures cause the client to abandon future attempts to succeed. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity What is the priority reason for a nurse to perform a full physical health assessment on a client admitted with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder? A. The attention during the assessment is beneficial in decreasing social isolation. B. Depression is a symptom of several medical conditions. C. Physical health complications are likely to arise from antidepressant therapy. D. Depressed clients avoid addressing physical health and ignore medical problems. - ANSWER ANS: B Medical conditions such as hormone disturbances, electrolyte disturbances, and nutritional deficiencies may produce symptoms of depression. These are a priority to identify and treat, since they may be the cause of the depressive symptoms and represent physiological needs. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Physiological Integrity A nurse is planning care for a child who is experiencing depression. Which medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents? A. Paroxetine (Paxil) B. Sertraline (Zoloft) C. Citalopram (Celexa) D. Fluoxetine (Prozac) - ANSWER ANS: D Fluoxetine (Prozac) is FDA approved for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used in the treatment of depression. All antidepressants carry an FDA warning for increased risk of suicide in children and adolescents. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Implementation | Client Need: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies A nurse admits an older client who is experiencing memory loss, confused thinking, and apathy. A psychiatrist suspects depression. What is the rationale for performing a mini-mental status exam? A. To rule out bipolar disorder B. To rule out schizophrenia C. To rule out neurocognitive disorder D. To rule out a personality disorder - ANSWER ANS: C A mini-mental status exam should be performed to rule out neurocognitive disorder. The elderly are often misdiagnosed with neurocognitive disorder such as Alzheimer's disease, when depression is their actual diagnosis. Memory loss, confused thinking, and apathy are common symptoms of depression in the elderly. KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment | Client Need: Physiological Integrity