RPN Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing

Question 1

A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to harm others. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the safety of the client and others by following facility protocols

Answer

Safety is always the priority; the nurse must protect the client and others according to established facility protocols when a client discloses command hallucinations with violent content.

Question 2

Which therapeutic communication technique involves restating the client's words in the nurse's own words to confirm understanding?

Accepted Answer

Paraphrasing

Answer

Paraphrasing is restating the client's message in the nurse's own words to check understanding, while reflection mirrors the client's emotional tone.

Question 3

A client with major depressive disorder states, 'There is no point in anything anymore.' Which nursing response is most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

'It sounds like you are feeling hopeless. Can you tell me more?'

Answer

Acknowledging the client's feeling and inviting them to elaborate demonstrates empathy and opens therapeutic dialogue without minimizing or redirecting.

Question 4

Which defense mechanism is a client using when they say, 'My coworker is the one who is always angry, not me'?

Accepted Answer

Projection

Answer

Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses onto another person.

Question 5

Which screening tool is most commonly used by nurses to assess for depression in adult clients?

Accepted Answer

PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)

Answer

The PHQ-9 is a validated nine-item tool widely used to screen for and monitor the severity of depression in adults.

RPN - Registered Practical Nurse Practice Test

RPN - Registered Practical Nurse Practice Test

RPN Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing