LVN Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing 3

Question 1

A patient on the psychiatric unit threatens to harm another patient. After ensuring immediate safety, the LVN's next action is to:

Accepted Answer

Notify the charge nurse and follow the unit's protocol for aggressive behavior

Answer

After ensuring immediate safety, the LVN must notify the charge nurse and follow established protocols, which may include seclusion, restraint, or medication orders from the provider.

Question 2

Which medication is classified as a benzodiazepine and commonly used for acute anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Answer

Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine that enhances GABA activity, producing rapid anxiolytic and sedative effects used in acute anxiety.

Question 3

Which defense mechanism is a patient using when they say, 'I don't drink too much; my wife just exaggerates everything'?

Accepted Answer

Denial

Answer

Denial involves refusing to acknowledge a painful or threatening reality, as when a person refuses to admit they have a problem with alcohol.

Question 4

A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports flashbacks and difficulty sleeping. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Help the patient identify triggers and develop grounding techniques

Answer

Identifying triggers and using grounding techniques helps the patient stay present and reduces the intensity of flashbacks and hyperarousal.

Question 5

An LVN observes a patient stuffing food under the mattress on a psychiatric unit. The most likely explanation for this behavior is:

Accepted Answer

The patient is hoarding food due to delusions or paranoia about being poisoned

Answer

On psychiatric units, hoarding food is most often related to paranoid delusions about the safety of the food, a common symptom in psychotic disorders.

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurses Certification Practice Test

(LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurses Certification Practice Test

LVN Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing 3