Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Study Guide with Practice Questions and
Answer Explanations
, A psychotic client reports to the evening nurse that the day nurse put something
suspicious in his water with his medication. The nurse replies, “You’re worried
about your medication?” The nurse’s communication is:
o A. An example of presenting reality
o B. Reinforcing the client’s delusions
o C. Focusing on emotional content
o D. A non-therapeutic technique called mind-reading
Incorrect
Correct Answer: C. Focusing on emotional content
The nurse should help the client focus on the emotional content rather than
delusional material. Sometimes during a conversation, patients mention
something particularly important. When this happens, nurses can focus on their
statement, prompting patients to discuss it further. Patients don’t always have an
objective perspective on what is relevant to their case; as impartial observers,
nurses can more easily pick out the topics to focus on.
• Option A: Presenting reality isn’t helpful because it can lead to
confrontation and disengagement. It’s frequently useful for nurses to
summarize what patients have said after the fact. This demonstrates to
patients that the nurse was listening and allows the nurse to document
conversations. Ending a summary with a phrase like “Does that sound
correct?” gives patients explicit permission to make corrections if they’re
necessary.
• Option B: Agreeing with the client and supporting his beliefs are
reinforcing delusions. Patients often ask nurses for advice about what they
should do about particular problems or in specific situations. Nurses can
ask patients what they think they should do, which encourages patients to
be accountable for their own actions and helps them come up with
solutions themselves.
• Option D: Mind reading isn’t therapeutic. Similar to active listening, asking
patients for clarification when they say something confusing or ambiguous
, is important. Saying something like “I’m not sure I understand. Can you
explain it to me?” helps nurses ensure they understand what’s actually
being said and can help patients process their ideas more thoroughly
1. 2. Question
A client is admitted to the inpatient unit of the mental health center with a
diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He’s shouting that the government of
France is trying to assassinate him. Which of the following responses
is most appropriate?
• A. “I think you’re wrong. France is a friendly country and an ally of the United
States. Their government wouldn’t try to kill you.”
• B. “I find it hard to believe that a foreign government or anyone else is
trying to hurt you. You must feel frightened by this.”
• C. “You’re wrong. Nobody is trying to kill you.”
• D. “A foreign government is trying to kill you? Please tell me more about it.”
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. “I find it hard to believe that a foreign government or
anyone else is trying to hurt you. You must feel frightened by this.”
Responses should focus on reality while acknowledging the client’s feelings.
Sometimes during a conversation, patients mention something particularly
important. When this happens, nurses can focus on their statement, prompting
patients to discuss it further. Patients don’t always have an objective perspective
on what is relevant to their case; as impartial observers, nurses can more easily
pick out the topics to focus on.
• Option A: Arguing with the client or denying his belief isn’t therapeutic. By
using nonverbal and verbal cues such as nodding and saying “I see,” nurses
can encourage patients to continue talking. Active listening involves
showing interest in what patients have to say, acknowledging that you’re
listening and understanding, and engaging with them throughout the
conversation. Nurses can offer general leads such as “What happened
next?” to guide the conversation or propel it forward.
, • Option C: Arguing can also inhibit development of a trusting relationship.
Continuing to talk about delusions may aggravate the psychosis. It’s
frequently useful for nurses to summarize what patients have said after the
fact. This demonstrates to patients that the nurse was listening and allows
the nurse to document conversations. Ending a summary with a phrase like
“Does that sound correct?” gives patients explicit permission to make
corrections if they’re necessary.
• Option D: Asking the client if a foreign government is trying to kill him
may increase his anxiety level and can reinforce his delusions. Voicing
doubt can be a gentler way to call attention to the incorrect or delusional
2. 3. Question
A client receiving haloperidol (Haldol) complains of a stiff jaw and difficulty
swallowing. The nurse’s first action is to:
• A. Reassure the client and administer as needed lorazepam (Ativan) I.M.
• B. Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin) I.M. as ordered.
• C. Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin) by mouth as
ordered.
• D. Administer as needed dose of haloperidol (Haldol) by mouth.
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin)
I.M. as ordered.
The client is most likely suffering from muscle rigidity due to haloperidol. I.M.
benztropine should be administered to prevent asphyxia or aspiration. The
extrapyramidal symptoms are muscular weakness or rigidity, a generalized or
localized tremor that may be characterized by the akinetic or agitation types of
movements, respectively. Haloperidol overdose is also associated with ECG
changes known as torsade de pointes, which may cause arrhythmia or cardiac
arrest.
• Option A: Lorazepam treats anxiety, not extrapyramidal effects. Lorazepam
is a benzodiazepine medication developed by DJ Richards. It went on the
market in the United States in 1977. Lorazepam has common use as the
Study Guide with Practice Questions and
Answer Explanations
, A psychotic client reports to the evening nurse that the day nurse put something
suspicious in his water with his medication. The nurse replies, “You’re worried
about your medication?” The nurse’s communication is:
o A. An example of presenting reality
o B. Reinforcing the client’s delusions
o C. Focusing on emotional content
o D. A non-therapeutic technique called mind-reading
Incorrect
Correct Answer: C. Focusing on emotional content
The nurse should help the client focus on the emotional content rather than
delusional material. Sometimes during a conversation, patients mention
something particularly important. When this happens, nurses can focus on their
statement, prompting patients to discuss it further. Patients don’t always have an
objective perspective on what is relevant to their case; as impartial observers,
nurses can more easily pick out the topics to focus on.
• Option A: Presenting reality isn’t helpful because it can lead to
confrontation and disengagement. It’s frequently useful for nurses to
summarize what patients have said after the fact. This demonstrates to
patients that the nurse was listening and allows the nurse to document
conversations. Ending a summary with a phrase like “Does that sound
correct?” gives patients explicit permission to make corrections if they’re
necessary.
• Option B: Agreeing with the client and supporting his beliefs are
reinforcing delusions. Patients often ask nurses for advice about what they
should do about particular problems or in specific situations. Nurses can
ask patients what they think they should do, which encourages patients to
be accountable for their own actions and helps them come up with
solutions themselves.
• Option D: Mind reading isn’t therapeutic. Similar to active listening, asking
patients for clarification when they say something confusing or ambiguous
, is important. Saying something like “I’m not sure I understand. Can you
explain it to me?” helps nurses ensure they understand what’s actually
being said and can help patients process their ideas more thoroughly
1. 2. Question
A client is admitted to the inpatient unit of the mental health center with a
diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He’s shouting that the government of
France is trying to assassinate him. Which of the following responses
is most appropriate?
• A. “I think you’re wrong. France is a friendly country and an ally of the United
States. Their government wouldn’t try to kill you.”
• B. “I find it hard to believe that a foreign government or anyone else is
trying to hurt you. You must feel frightened by this.”
• C. “You’re wrong. Nobody is trying to kill you.”
• D. “A foreign government is trying to kill you? Please tell me more about it.”
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. “I find it hard to believe that a foreign government or
anyone else is trying to hurt you. You must feel frightened by this.”
Responses should focus on reality while acknowledging the client’s feelings.
Sometimes during a conversation, patients mention something particularly
important. When this happens, nurses can focus on their statement, prompting
patients to discuss it further. Patients don’t always have an objective perspective
on what is relevant to their case; as impartial observers, nurses can more easily
pick out the topics to focus on.
• Option A: Arguing with the client or denying his belief isn’t therapeutic. By
using nonverbal and verbal cues such as nodding and saying “I see,” nurses
can encourage patients to continue talking. Active listening involves
showing interest in what patients have to say, acknowledging that you’re
listening and understanding, and engaging with them throughout the
conversation. Nurses can offer general leads such as “What happened
next?” to guide the conversation or propel it forward.
, • Option C: Arguing can also inhibit development of a trusting relationship.
Continuing to talk about delusions may aggravate the psychosis. It’s
frequently useful for nurses to summarize what patients have said after the
fact. This demonstrates to patients that the nurse was listening and allows
the nurse to document conversations. Ending a summary with a phrase like
“Does that sound correct?” gives patients explicit permission to make
corrections if they’re necessary.
• Option D: Asking the client if a foreign government is trying to kill him
may increase his anxiety level and can reinforce his delusions. Voicing
doubt can be a gentler way to call attention to the incorrect or delusional
2. 3. Question
A client receiving haloperidol (Haldol) complains of a stiff jaw and difficulty
swallowing. The nurse’s first action is to:
• A. Reassure the client and administer as needed lorazepam (Ativan) I.M.
• B. Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin) I.M. as ordered.
• C. Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin) by mouth as
ordered.
• D. Administer as needed dose of haloperidol (Haldol) by mouth.
Incorrect
Correct Answer: B. Administer as needed dose of benztropine (Cogentin)
I.M. as ordered.
The client is most likely suffering from muscle rigidity due to haloperidol. I.M.
benztropine should be administered to prevent asphyxia or aspiration. The
extrapyramidal symptoms are muscular weakness or rigidity, a generalized or
localized tremor that may be characterized by the akinetic or agitation types of
movements, respectively. Haloperidol overdose is also associated with ECG
changes known as torsade de pointes, which may cause arrhythmia or cardiac
arrest.
• Option A: Lorazepam treats anxiety, not extrapyramidal effects. Lorazepam
is a benzodiazepine medication developed by DJ Richards. It went on the
market in the United States in 1977. Lorazepam has common use as the
