CPNRE Mental Health Nursing Concepts 2

Question 1

A client with schizophrenia insists that the television is sending them personal messages. Which type of symptom is this?

Accepted Answer

Positive symptom (delusion of reference)

Answer

Negative symptom (flat affect)

Answer

Negative symptom (alogia)

Answer

Positive symptom (hallucination)

Question 2

A client with major depressive disorder expresses that things will never get better. Which therapeutic communication technique best addresses this hopelessness?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the client's pain while offering realistic hope: 'I hear how painful this is. Many people with depression find that treatment helps.'

Answer

Tell the client to think positively and focus on what they have to live for

Answer

Change the subject to avoid reinforcing negative thinking

Answer

Agree that their situation is very difficult

Question 3

A client on lithium carbonate has serum lithium level 1.8 mEq/L with nausea, tremor, and polyuria. How should the practical nurse interpret this?

Accepted Answer

Toxic level, notify physician and withhold next dose

Answer

Therapeutic range, these are normal side effects

Answer

Subtherapeutic level, dose needs to be increased

Answer

Mildly elevated, monitor more frequently

Question 4

Under provincial Mental Health Act legislation, what criterion must be met for a physician to sign an involuntary admission order?

Accepted Answer

The client is a risk of serious harm to themselves or others due to mental disorder

Answer

The client is refusing all medications

Answer

The client's family requests involuntary treatment

Answer

The client has been previously hospitalized for mental illness

Question 5

A client with anorexia nervosa has BMI 14.5 and is medically unstable. What is the priority focus of nursing care?

Accepted Answer

Medical stabilization: monitoring vital signs, electrolytes, and cardiac function

Answer

Promoting insight into distorted body image through therapeutic conversations

Answer

Discussing meal planning to increase caloric intake

Answer

Encouraging immediate group therapy participation

Question 6

Which response demonstrates motivational interviewing (MI) techniques with a client ambivalent about taking antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

'What are your concerns about the medication, and what might be some potential benefits for you?'

Answer

'These medications are very effective. You really should try them.'

Answer

'You will not get better without medication. Your doctor knows best.'

Answer

'Let's talk about something else until you feel ready.'