Mental Health HESI Psych Review Questions (50 Study Questions with rationale) Latest Update

Mental Health HESI Psych Review Questions (50 Study Questions with rationale) Latest Update 1. A client mumbles out loud whether anyone is talking to her or not and the client also mumbles in group when others are talking. The nurse determines that the client is experiencing hallucinations. Which intervention should the nurse implement? A. A.Respond to the client's feelings rather than the illogical thoughts B. B.Identify beliefs and thoughts about what the client is experiencing. C. C.Provide the client with hope that the voices will eventually go away. D. D.Ask the client how she has previously managed the voices. - ANSWER ANS: D The nurse should promote symptom management and determine how the client previously managed the voices (D). (A and B) are interventions that are useful with clients who are experiencing delusions. (C) is important, but the most important intervention is to promote symptom management. 2. A client in an acute care facility has been taking antipsychotic medications for the past 3 days with a decrease in psychotic behaviors and no adverse reactions. On the fourth day, the client experiences an increase in blood pressure and temperature and demonstrates muscular rigidity. Which action should the nurse initiate? A. A.Place the client on seizure precautions and monitor frequently. B. B.Take the client's vital signs and notify the health care provider immediately. C. C.Describe the symptoms to the charge nurse and document them in the client's record. D. D.No action is required at this time because these are known side effects of her medications. - ANSWER ANS: B This is an emergency situation, and the client requires immediate management in a critical care setting (B). These symptoms are descriptive of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), an extremely serious and life-threatening reaction to neuroleptic drugs. The major symptoms of this syndrome are fever, rigidity, autonomic instability, and encephalopathy. Respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmias, and/or renal failure can result in death. (A) is not indicated in this situation. (C) does not consider the seriousness of the situation. (D) is an incorrect statement. 3. On admission, a depressed client tells the nurse, "I can't eat because my tongue is rubber." Which is the best action for the nurse to implement? A. A.Provide packaged foods for the client to eat. B. B.Begin the client on total parenteral nutritional (TPN) therapy. C. C.Provide a well-balanced liquid diet for the client. D. D.No action is necessary because the client will eat when hungry. - ANSWER ANS: C The nurse should strive to provide a safe environment (adequate nutrition is part of a safe environment) and should not argue with the client's delusions. (C) is the least invasive while providing nutrition that does not argue with the client's delusion. (A) is given to those with paranoid delusions. (B) is invasive and would be used as a last resort. (C) should be tried first. This client's delusion could be life threatening and should not be ignored (D). 4. Which topics should the nurse include in an education program for clients with schizophrenia and their families? (Select all that apply.) A. A.Importance of adherence to medication regimen B. B.Current treatment measures for substance abuse C. C.Signs and symptoms of an exacerbation D. D.Prevention of criminal activity E. E.Behavior modification for aggression F. F.Chronic grief associated with long-term illness - ANSWER ANS: A, C, F Medication adherence is an important component of successful rehabilitation (A). Clients and their families also need to know the signs and symptoms of an exacerbation or relapse of the disease (C), which is frequently associated with poor medication compliance. Acknowledging the chronic sorrow associated with severe and persistent mental illness (F) helps individuals negotiate the grieving process. (B, D, and E) are not universal problems associated with schizophrenia. 5. On admission, a highly anxious client is described as delusional. Delusions are most likely to occur with which disorder? A. A.Dissociative disorders B. B.Personality disorders C. C.Anxiety disorders D. D.Psychotic disorders - ANSWER ANS: D Delusions are false beliefs characteristic of psychosis (D). Delusions are generally not characteristic of (A, B, and C). 6. A 33-year-old client is admitted to a psychiatric facility with a medical diagnosis of major depression. When the nurse is assigning the client to a room, which roommate is best for this client? A. A.A 35-year-old client who recently attempted suicide. B. B.A manic client who has started lithium carbonate treatment. C. C.A client who is bipolar and is pacing the floor while telling jokes to everyone. D. D.A paranoid client who believes that the staff is trying to poison the food. - ANSWER ANS: B (B) appears to be the most stable client described since treatment was begun with lithium carbonate (treatment of choice for manic depression). Being around another depressed individual might enhance this client's own depression and possibly support suicidal ideation (A). Clients in the manic stage of bipolar disease (C) enhance the level of anxiety of those around them, which would not be therapeutic for the client at this time. Paranoid ideation (D), which is characterized by suspiciousness, would also increase anxiety in this client.