2020 NCLEX-RN TEST PREP: MENTAL

2020 NCLEX-RN TEST PREP: MENTAL

HEALTH (STUDY MODE) PRACTICE

QUESTIONS WITH: ANSWERS &

EXPLANATIONS

1.A client has been diagnosed with a form of terminal cancer and has started receiving hospice care. The nurse notes that both the client and his family avoid talking about the diagnosis. All attempts at discussion result in

changing the subject. The nurse recognizes that this family is exhibiting:

• Closed awareness
• Mutual pretense
• Open awareness
• Powerless assessment

ANSWER B: Mutual pretense is a form of awareness as a response to death

or dying in which those involved avoid discussing the situation. In a case of terminal illness, a client and his family are aware of the diagnosis; but the client may not want to talk about the situation for various reasons, such as saving his family from feelings of grief, fear of the future, or discomfort with talking about feelings.

2.A nurse is preparing to talk about body changes with a client who just had a bilateral mastectomy. Which of the following actions of the nurse is most appropriate during this discussion?

• Provide a room that offers minimal distractions
• Ask closed-ended questions to allow the client to think about her situation
• Write detailed notes during the conversation to track important information
• Ask personal questions about the client's background to determine how the

procedure has affected her self-concept

ANSWER A: When preparing to talk with a client about a difficult subject,

the nurse can provide an environment that is private and that offers minimal distractions. This gives the client an opportunity to open up about personal feelings without being interrupted, and may provide more open communication between the nurse and client.

3.A nurse is attempting to speak with a client about his personal feelings of self-esteem and self-concept. Which of the following questions is most appropriate for assessing a client's personal identity?

• What is your educational background?"
• Are your parents still living?"
• What do you like about your life right now?"
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?"

ANSWER C: When assessing a client's personal identity, the nurse should

focus on questions that determine how the client feels about himself. This may mean asking questions that help him identify his personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as how he thinks others see him.

4.A term that refers to a comprehensive set of thoughts or images of oneself is

called:

• Global self
• Core self-concept

• Personal identity
• Ideal self

ANSWER A: Global self refers to a comprehensive set of thoughts or

images about oneself. A nurse can assess a client's global self-concept by asking him to use a phrase that describes himself completely at any given time. The phrase, "I am a man" is an example of a global self-concept.

5.Which of the following interventions is most appropriate when supporting the psychosocial needs of a client who is experiencing negative side effects associated with chemotherapy?

• Read the client's discharge instructions well in advance of dismissal
• Provide medications to reduce nausea and vomiting
• Give simple instructions about self-care while in the hospital
• Determine the levels of support from significant others

ANSWER D: The nurse can address the psychosocial needs of a client who

is undergoing changes in health and body image by determining the levels of support from the client's significant others. This may be family, a spouse, or friends who will provide help and support when the nurse is not directly caring for the client. Organizing these resources can address fears about the future, it prepares caregivers for the needs of the client, and it provides transition for the client who will eventually be discharged from nursing care.

6.Which of the following clients is at the highest risk of becoming a victim of intimate partner violence?

• A 36-year old woman who is recently divorced
• A 22-year old man who is unemployed but living with friends
• A 20-year old woman who grew up with a psychologically abusive father
• A 40-year old man diagnosed with schizophrenia

ANSWER C: Intimate partner violence is a form of domestic violence that

includes physical, psychological, or sexual abuse from a spouse or partner.While intimate partner violence may occur with anyone in an intimate relationship, there are some risk factors that may be associated with agreater chance of becoming a victim. Young age, depression, low self-esteem, financial difficulties, little education, and being a former victim of some sort of abuse all contribute as risk factors for intimate partner violence.

7.A nurse is assessing a client who is being seen for increased anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. Which of the following interventions is the first priority of the nurse?

• Administer anti-anxiety medications as ordered by the physician
• Talk with the client about methods to improve rest and sleep
• Take the client to a private room and remain with him
• Review the client's medical history to determine if he has been treated for

these issues before

ANSWER C: The first priority when working with a client who has a

potential mental health issues is to ensure safety of the client. The nurse should take the client to a private room to minimize distractions and stay with the client to ensure his safety. Other interventions, such as administering prescribed medications, can be performed after the nurse has instilled a trusting relationship.