Saudi Prometric Nursing Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 3

Question 1

A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends 3 hours daily washing their hands. Which nursing response is most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

Allow the ritual initially while working on gradual reduction with a structured ERP plan

Answer

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard therapy for OCD. Abruptly stopping rituals increases anxiety severely. A structured plan of gradual exposure to anxiety triggers while preventing the ritual (with patient agreement) is the most effective approach.

Question 2

The nurse is performing a suicide risk assessment. Which factor places the patient at HIGHEST risk?

Accepted Answer

Specific plan with access to means and previous attempt

Answer

The highest risk factors for completed suicide are: specific plan, access to lethal means, and previous suicide attempt (the strongest predictor). Protective factors include social support and religious beliefs. The combination of plan + means + history represents imminent risk.

Question 3

A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is describing a flashback to the nurse. Which nursing response is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Speak calmly, use grounding techniques, and orient the patient to the present

Answer

During a flashback, the patient experiences the trauma as if it is happening now. Calm, grounding interventions (e.g., 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique, stating the date/location) help re-orient the patient to the present reality. Forcing trauma recall worsens PTSD.

Question 4

A patient is admitted involuntarily to a psychiatric unit. The nurse explains that the patient retains which right?

Accepted Answer

The right to refuse specific medications (with capacity assessment)

Answer

Involuntary psychiatric admission restricts freedom of movement but does not eliminate all rights. Patients retain rights including: confidentiality, humane treatment, communication with an attorney, and the right to refuse medications in most jurisdictions (unless capacity is deemed absent by a court).

Question 5

A patient with dementia is becoming increasingly agitated at sunset. The nurse identifies this as 'sundowning.' Which intervention is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Maintain consistent routines, increase lighting in the evening, and use calming activities

Answer

Sundowning in dementia is managed through environmental and behavioral strategies: consistent daily routines, bright lighting during the day (especially in the evening to delay circadian shift), calming familiar music, and orientation cues. Pharmacological restraint should be minimized.

Saudi Prometric Nursing Practice Test

Saudi Prometric Nursing Practice Test

Saudi Prometric Nursing Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 3