A family, including an 8-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, have bee

Mental Health RN NCLEX Questions

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Question 1 of 5.

A family, including an 8-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, have been long-time members of a cult split off from a conservative religious group. The girl ran away from the group's compound to her aunt's house. The aunt brought the girl to the emergency... [incomplete]. She is admitted to the unit because of many trauma-related symptoms. The nurse should take which of the following actions? Select all that apply.

A. Ask her to describe her experiences in a discussion group with other teens.

B. Teach her emotion management skills to help her deal with her 'normal reactions to an abnormal situation.'

C. Assess her for other possible injuries, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases.

D. Teach her ways to control self-destructive behavior such as suicide attempts, self-mutilation, and rage outbursts.

E. Obtain a sample for a urine drug screen and routine urinalysis.

F. Help her process her emotions and memories as she is willing to share these.

Explanation: The nurse should teach emotion management (B), assess for injuries and health risks (C), teach control of self-destructive behaviors (D), obtain a drug screen and urinalysis (E), and help process emotions (F) to address her trauma comprehensively. A teen discussion group (A) may be premature and potentially distressing without initial stabilization.

Question 2 of 5.

After a period of unsuccessful treatment with Elavil (amitriptyline), a woman diagnosed with depression is switched to Parnate (tranylcypromine). Which statement by the client indicates the client understands the side effects of Parnate?

A. I must do increase my intake of sodium.'

B. I must refrain from strenuous exercise.'

C. I must refrain from eating aged cheese or yeast products.'

D. I should decrease my intake of foods containing sugar.'

Explanation: Parnate is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and clients must avoid tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese and yeast products to prevent hypertensive crisis.

Question 3 of 5.

A nurse is conducting a psychoeducational group for family members of clients hospitalized with depression. Which family member's statement indicates a need for additional teaching?

A. My husband will slowly feel better as his medicine takes effect over the next 2 to 4 weeks.'

B. My wife will need to take her antidepressant medicine and go to group to stay well.'

C. My son will only need to attend outpatient appointments when he starts to feel depressed again.'

D. My mother might need help with grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning for a while.'

Explanation: Depression requires ongoing outpatient care to prevent relapse, not just when symptoms reappear.

Question 4 of 5.

A client is receiving paroxetine (Paxil) 20 mg every morning. After taking the first three doses, the client tells the nurse that the medication upsets his stomach. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to the client?

A. Take the medication an hour before breakfast.'

B. Take the medication with some food.'

C. Take the medication at bedtime.'

D. Take the medication with 4 oz of orange juice.'

Explanation: Taking paroxetine with food can reduce gastrointestinal side effects like nausea.

Question 5 of 5.

A client who is depressed states, 'I'm an awful person. Everything about me is bad. I can't do anything right.' Which of the following responses by the nurse is most therapeutic?

A. Everybody around here likes you.'

B. I can see many good qualities in you.'

C. Let's discuss what you've done correctly.'

D. You were able to bathe today.'

Explanation: Discussing specific accomplishments challenges negative self-perceptions and promotes cognitive restructuring.