Mental Health Nursing Flashcards
7 cards from real SAUDI PROMETRIC NURSING 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 Nursing flashcards as text
A patient on lithium therapy reports coarse tremors, confusion, and ataxia. Serum lithium level is 2.4 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing action?
Answer: Hold the medication and notify the physician immediately
A lithium level above 2.0 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity requiring immediate drug discontinuation and physician notification.
Which therapeutic communication technique does a nurse use when saying, 'You mentioned feeling hopeless. Can you tell me more about that?'
Answer: Exploring
Exploring encourages the patient to elaborate on a specific topic to gain deeper understanding.
A nurse is caring for a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who performs handwashing rituals for 3 hours daily. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?
Answer: Allow the rituals while establishing a therapeutic relationship
Initially allowing rituals while building trust prevents increased anxiety; reduction of rituals is a gradual process.
A patient with schizophrenia states, 'The television is sending me secret messages.' This is an example of:
Answer: Delusion of reference
Ideas of reference involve the belief that external events or objects are personally directed at oneself.
Which medication class is considered first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in outpatient settings?
Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are first-line for GAD due to their efficacy and favorable safety profile without dependence risk.
A nurse observes a patient with borderline personality disorder threatening self-harm after a disagreement with staff. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Ensure patient safety and maintain a calm, non-reactive presence
Safety is the priority; a calm, consistent response avoids reinforcing splitting behavior and reduces escalation.
When planning care for a patient in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, which environment is most therapeutic?
Answer: A calm, low-stimulation environment with limited interactions
Reducing environmental stimuli helps decrease the escalation of manic episodes.
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