MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client who was recently admitted to the psychiatric unit with the diagnosis of an
obsessive-compulsive disorder engages in a handwashing ritual. When the nurse
interrupts the ritual, the client becomes angry and acts out. What is the most
probable cause for this behavior?
The client is feeling overwhelmed in this situation. The ritual reduces anxiety; when not
permitted to complete the ritual, a client with an obsessive-compulsive disorder will
experience increased anxiety, frustration, and anger and may act out. The client is
experiencing anxiety not related to a personality clash, the nurse's manner, or an
aggressive personality.
The nursing staff is discussing the best way to develop a relationship with a new
client who has antisocial personality disorder. What characteristic of clients with
antisocial personality should the nurses consider when planning care?
Exhibits lack of empathy for other. Self-motivation and self-satisfaction are of paramount
concern to people with antisocial personality disorder, and they have little or no concern
for others. Clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, not antisocial personality
disorder, engage in rituals. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder are extremely
dependent on others; they count on others to extricate them from their problems. They
are usually charming on the surface and can easily con people into doing what they
want.
A client remains depressed even after an 8-week trial on several antidepressant
medications. A decision to initiate electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is being
considered by the treatment team. Which condition is a contraindication to ECT?
Brain tumor
,Type 1 diabetes
Hypothyroid disorder
Urinary tract infection
Brain tumour. ECT is contraindicated in the presence of a brain tumor, because the
treatment causes an increase in intracranial pressure. ECT is not contraindicated in the
presence of diabetes, hypothyroid, or urinary tract infection.
A nurse is assisting with the administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to
a severely depressed client. What side effect of the therapy should the nurse
anticipate?
Loss of appetite
Postural hypotension
Total memory loss
Confusion immediately after the treatment
The electrical energy passing through the cerebral cortex during ECT results in a
temporary state of confusion after treatment. Loss of appetite, postural hypotension,
and total memory loss are not usual or expected side effects. Memory loss is usually
restored after a few months of treatment.
A nurse is monitoring a client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia who is
experiencing opposing emotions simultaneously. When providing a change-of-
shift report, how should the nurse refer to this emotional experience of the client?
, Double bind
Ambivalence
Loose association
Inappropriate affect
Ambivalence is the existence of two conflicting emotions, impulses, or desires. Double
bind is two conflicting messages, not emotions, in a single communication. Loose
associations are not two conflicting emotions but instead the loosening of connections
between thoughts. Inappropriate affect is the inappropriate expression of emotions.
A nurse is caring for a young, hyperactive child with attention deficit-
hyperactivity disorder who engages in self-destructive behavior. What is the most
important nursing objective in the planning of care for this child?
Keeping the child from inflicting any self-injury
Helping the child improve communication skills
Helping the child formulate realistic ego boundaries
Providing the child with opportunities to discharge energy
All nursing care should be directed toward preventing injury, particularly with a self-
destructive child. Although improved communication skills, formulation of realistic ego
boundaries, and opportunities to discharge energy are all important, prevention of injury
is the priority.
A nurse is preparing to care for a client who engages in ritualistic behavior. What
is the most appropriate intervention to include in the plan of care?
A client who was recently admitted to the psychiatric unit with the diagnosis of an
obsessive-compulsive disorder engages in a handwashing ritual. When the nurse
interrupts the ritual, the client becomes angry and acts out. What is the most
probable cause for this behavior?
The client is feeling overwhelmed in this situation. The ritual reduces anxiety; when not
permitted to complete the ritual, a client with an obsessive-compulsive disorder will
experience increased anxiety, frustration, and anger and may act out. The client is
experiencing anxiety not related to a personality clash, the nurse's manner, or an
aggressive personality.
The nursing staff is discussing the best way to develop a relationship with a new
client who has antisocial personality disorder. What characteristic of clients with
antisocial personality should the nurses consider when planning care?
Exhibits lack of empathy for other. Self-motivation and self-satisfaction are of paramount
concern to people with antisocial personality disorder, and they have little or no concern
for others. Clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, not antisocial personality
disorder, engage in rituals. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder are extremely
dependent on others; they count on others to extricate them from their problems. They
are usually charming on the surface and can easily con people into doing what they
want.
A client remains depressed even after an 8-week trial on several antidepressant
medications. A decision to initiate electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is being
considered by the treatment team. Which condition is a contraindication to ECT?
Brain tumor
,Type 1 diabetes
Hypothyroid disorder
Urinary tract infection
Brain tumour. ECT is contraindicated in the presence of a brain tumor, because the
treatment causes an increase in intracranial pressure. ECT is not contraindicated in the
presence of diabetes, hypothyroid, or urinary tract infection.
A nurse is assisting with the administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to
a severely depressed client. What side effect of the therapy should the nurse
anticipate?
Loss of appetite
Postural hypotension
Total memory loss
Confusion immediately after the treatment
The electrical energy passing through the cerebral cortex during ECT results in a
temporary state of confusion after treatment. Loss of appetite, postural hypotension,
and total memory loss are not usual or expected side effects. Memory loss is usually
restored after a few months of treatment.
A nurse is monitoring a client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia who is
experiencing opposing emotions simultaneously. When providing a change-of-
shift report, how should the nurse refer to this emotional experience of the client?
, Double bind
Ambivalence
Loose association
Inappropriate affect
Ambivalence is the existence of two conflicting emotions, impulses, or desires. Double
bind is two conflicting messages, not emotions, in a single communication. Loose
associations are not two conflicting emotions but instead the loosening of connections
between thoughts. Inappropriate affect is the inappropriate expression of emotions.
A nurse is caring for a young, hyperactive child with attention deficit-
hyperactivity disorder who engages in self-destructive behavior. What is the most
important nursing objective in the planning of care for this child?
Keeping the child from inflicting any self-injury
Helping the child improve communication skills
Helping the child formulate realistic ego boundaries
Providing the child with opportunities to discharge energy
All nursing care should be directed toward preventing injury, particularly with a self-
destructive child. Although improved communication skills, formulation of realistic ego
boundaries, and opportunities to discharge energy are all important, prevention of injury
is the priority.
A nurse is preparing to care for a client who engages in ritualistic behavior. What
is the most appropriate intervention to include in the plan of care?
