NCLEX Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing 3

Question 1

A client with schizophrenia states, 'The radio is sending me secret messages to save the world.' This is an example of which symptom?

Accepted Answer

Delusion of grandeur

Answer

A fixed false belief of special importance or mission is a grandiose delusion.

Question 2

A client taking haloperidol develops a temperature of 104°F, muscle rigidity, and altered consciousness. The nurse suspects which emergency?

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Answer

High fever, severe rigidity, and altered mental status indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics.

Question 3

A nurse responds therapeutically to a hallucinating client by saying:

Accepted Answer

'I don't hear a voice, but I understand you do.'

Answer

The nurse presents reality without arguing while acknowledging the client's experience, which is therapeutic.

Question 4

Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing acute mania?

Accepted Answer

Offer finger foods the client can eat while moving

Answer

Manic clients are too active to sit and eat, so high-calorie finger foods support nutrition while they move about.

Question 5

A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder washes hands repeatedly. During early treatment, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Allow time for the ritual while setting gradual limits

Answer

Abruptly stopping a ritual increases anxiety, so the nurse initially allows it while gradually setting limits.

NCLEX Practice Test