REVISION GUIDE
1. A 45-year-old male patient has just started on lithium for manic episodes of bipolar
disorder. He tells you that he gets a sour feeling in his stomach when he takes the medicine.
What is the best response by the nurse?
a. I believe you'll adjust to it. It is important that you continue with the lithium
b. This is could be a toxic effect. Let's not take the next dose, and I'll call the doctor
c. It is your right to refuse the medication. I support your decision
d. Tomorrow. We will give you your lithium after you eat breakfast
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder. Which of the following should
be recognized as a manic behavior? (SATA)
a. Dressing in black clothing
b. Interacting with others in a flirtatious
way c. Talking in a rapid continuous speech
d. Spending large sums of money
e. Sleeping for long periods of time
3. A nurse is caring for a client who begins to cry and states. "I knew karma would come back
to me and punish me with this deadly disease!" which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
a. Let's talk about what is upsetting you
b. You shouldn't say things that will just make you more upset
c. Why do you think you deserve this?
d. Don't worry about karma right now
4. A client recently admitted to the behavioral unit, quickly paces about the dayroom while
pounding his fists together. The client's speech pattern is rapid, and his affect appears
animated and angry. Based on these observations, which intervention should be the nurse's
immediate priority?
a. Conducting a mental status exam
b. Call the provider for an order for
seclusion c. Provide a safe therapeutic
milieu
d. Review the client's medication regimen
5. A client in the detox unit is withdrawing from extensive heroin use. What would be
an expected finding with regards to the client's pupils?
a. Nystagmus
, b. Tadpole
c. Constricted
d. Dilated
6. A client with a personality disorder by eccentric behavior with cognitive and
perceptual distortions likely has what?
a. Histrionic personality disorder
b. Schizoid personality disorder
,c. Schizotypal personality disorder
d. Borderline personality disorder
7. The nurse completes an assessment of a client who is being admitted to the mental
health unit. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
a. The client states that he can't eat much and hasn't been able to sleep well for the past
week b. The client states that he wishes he could find a way to harm himself
c. The spouse states the she disapproves of the treatment plan.
d. The presence of small bruises on the client's legs and old scars on both wrists
8. A hospitalized client who has been experiencing delusions begin to shout. "you're all here
to kill me. Let me out of here!" which response is most therapeutic?
a. I'll leave and come back later when you calm down
b. No that is not true. Look at who I am
c. What makes you think we plan to kill you
d. It must be frightening to think others may want to hurt you
9. Which statement about persons with personality disorder is accurate?
a. Unlike those with mood or psychotic disorders. Personality disorders have no suicide risk
b. Their symptoms are not as disabling as most other mental disorders. Therefore their
care tends to be less challenging and complicated for staff
c. They are all manipulative and. Staff needs to be educated and prepared to provide firm
and non-judgmental care
d. They tend not to perceive themselves as having a problem but instead believe their
problems are caused by how others behave towards them.
10. Ed a client tells a nurse that she is the nicest person in the entire hospital. But when the
nurse removes Ed's belt from his room. Ed calls her very rude names and yells our that she
is the meanest nurse ever. Which defense mechanism is being used?
a. Rationalization
b. Dissociation
c. Displacement
d. Splitting
11. A client on the psych unit states, "how do you feel about me refusing to go to group
today?" which would be a therapeutic response by the nurse?
a. Can you be sure to go to group tomorrow
b. I'm not happy about that
c. How do you feel about not going to group today
d. That's not an appropriate question to ask
, 13. A 15 year old ran away from home six times and was arrested twice on separate
occasions for destruction of public property and shoplifting. Which diagnosis is supported by
this adolescent's behavior?
a. Conduct disorder
b. Intermittent explosive disorder
c. Oppositional defiant disorder
d. Attention deficit hyperactive disorder
14. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is taking disulfiram for the management of
alcohol dependence. Which of the following should the nurse encourage the client to
avoid?
a. Chocolate
b. Vanilla extract
c. Peppermint candy
d. Salt
15. Which type of therapy would be most useful when working with a 9-year-old child
with opposition defiant disorder?
a. Bibliotherapy
b. Behavioral therapy
c. Cognitive therapy
d. Electroconvulsive therapy
16. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and exhibits lack of grooming and
flat affect. The nurse should anticipate a prescription of which of the following medications?
a. Loxapine
b. Fluphenazine
c. Diphenhydramine
d. Risperidone
17. A nurse decides to put a client who has psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight
because the unit is very short-staffed and the client frequently argues with other clients. The
nurse's actions are an example of which of the following torts?
a. Battery
b. Invasion of privacy
c. False
imprisonment
d. Assault
18. A client who attempted suicide by overdosing with antidepressant pills has been admitted
to the psychiatric unit. The nurse, being most concerned with client's safety, would take which
action?
a. Place the client in restraints for 30 min
b. Use reminiscence therapy, and discuss the overdose event
tomorrow c. Ensure that a staff member is with the client at all times