FREE Mental Health Nursing Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which nursing intervention should be prioritized when a client with generalized anxiety disorder values their mood at 3/10, their anxiety at 8/10, and says, "I'm thinking about suicide."

Accepted Answer

Ask the patient, “Do you have a plan to commit suicide?”

Answer

To intervene quickly, it is critical for the nurse to inquire with the patient about any potential suicide plans. Patients who have made intentions to commit suicide run a larger danger than others who may only have hazy suicidal thoughts.

Question 2

Which educational requirement is crucial when buspirone (BuSpar) 5 mg tid is first prescribed to a patient?

Accepted Answer

Encourage the patient to take the medication continually as prescribed because onset of action is delayed 2 to 3 weeks.

Answer

Unlike benzodiazepines, which depress the central nervous system, buspirone (BuSpar) is an anti-anxiety drug. The drug's exact mechanism of action is unknown, however it is thought to interact with serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitter receptors to achieve the intended effects. It is crucial to inform the client that buspirone (BuSpar) takes 2–3 weeks to start working. Because of the benzodiazepine's early beginning of action, the nurse may frequently observe the prescription of clonazepam before the buspirone starts to take effect.

Question 3

In the mental health clinic, a nurse is evaluating a client. The client has a lengthy history of being an introvert with few close friends. Schizophrenia has been identified as the father of this client. What stage of schizophrenia does the nurse think this client is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Phase I—schizoid personality.

Answer

Schizoid personality disorder is frequently found in loners who present as cold , distant and uninterested in social interactions. Although not everyone who exhibits the symptoms of schizoid personality disorder develops into schizophrenia, this client's chance for developing the illness rises from 1% in the general population to 10% as a result of a family history of the condition.

Question 4

The nurse is evaluating a patient with schizophrenia who is disorganized. Which signs should the nurse anticipate the patient displaying?

Accepted Answer

Markedly regressive, primitive behavior, and extremely poor contact with reality. Affect is flat or grossly inappropriate. Personal appearance is neglected, and social impairment is extreme.

Answer

A patient is most likely to be diagnosed with disorganized schizophrenia if they display clearly regressive and primitive conduct and have very little interaction with reality. A client's affect is flat or blatantly wrong in this subcategory. Social impairment is severe, and personal hygiene is disregarded.

Question 5

An admission assessment is being done by the nurse on a patient who has paranoid schizophrenia. Which should the nurse take into account in order to get the most accurate evaluation information?

Accepted Answer

Much data will need to be gained by reviewing old records and talking with family members and significant others.

Answer

Information for a background check must be acquired from a variety of sources, such as relatives and old documents. Due to communication and thinking deficiencies, a client experiencing an acute episode would be unable to provide accurate and insightful assessment data.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Practice Test

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Practice Test

FREE Mental Health Nursing Questions and Answers