Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real LVN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing flashcards as text
A patient newly admitted for major depression states, 'I've given away all my belongings and said goodbye to everyone.' The LVN should interpret this as:
Answer: A strong warning sign of imminent suicide attempt
Giving away possessions and saying final goodbyes are classic warning signs of imminent suicidal intent requiring immediate safety intervention.
Which side effect of antipsychotic medications involves involuntary, rhythmic, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, and extremities that appear after long-term use?
Answer: Tardive dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is a late-onset, potentially irreversible extrapyramidal side effect of long-term antipsychotic use characterized by repetitive involuntary movements.
The LVN is preparing a patient for discharge after treatment for alcohol use disorder. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
Answer: 'I only need to avoid hard liquor; beer and wine are okay.'
Total abstinence from all forms of alcohol, including beer and wine, is required in alcohol use disorder recovery; no amount is considered safe.
A patient with borderline personality disorder frequently tells the nurse, 'You're the only one who understands me; the other nurses are terrible.' This behavior is known as:
Answer: Splitting
Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline personality disorder where people are viewed as all good or all bad, with no middle ground.
Which nursing action is most important when a patient is placed in physical restraints?
Answer: Assess circulation, sensation, and skin integrity every 15 minutes
Frequent assessment of circulation, sensation, and skin integrity prevents complications such as nerve damage, skin breakdown, and impaired circulation in restrained patients.
A patient with generalized anxiety disorder asks about buspirone (Buspar). Which statement by the LVN is accurate?
Answer: 'It takes 2–4 weeks to reach full therapeutic effect and is not habit-forming.'
Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that requires 2–4 weeks for full effect, does not cause dependency, and generally does not cause significant sedation.
The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention should be implemented first?
Answer: Stay with the patient and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
The immediate priority during a panic attack is to stay with the patient and use a calm, reassuring presence to reduce fear and prevent escalation before other interventions.