Mental Health Disorders

The nurse observes the patient with schizophrenia to be speaking monotonously without facial expressions. Which term does the nurse use to document this finding? 

Which neurotransmitter system is affected by the drug of choice for major depressive disorder? 

A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a 78-year-old man with dementia. Which of the following are the main signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia?

You are the charge nurse of a psychiatric floor that has one free bed. Which of the following psychiatric patients would you anticipate most needing to be placed on your floor?

A client reports that since her husband died five months ago, she continues to feel sad and depressed, and dreads the upcoming holiday season. She has no history of depression, is able to function normally at work, and is sleeping and eating normally. Which is the best response by the nurse?

The 24-year-old female patient presents to the emergency department with hematemesis. She rarely drinks alcohol and has no known medical conditions. She is afebrile and her laboratory tests are normal, though she has signs of dehydration. The physician diagnoses the patient with Mallory-Weiss Syndrome. The nurse assesses the patient for which conditions?

A patient tells the nurse that the government is spying on him using small drones. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?

A patient diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder is prescribed fluphenazine 5 mg three times daily. After a week, the patient’s hallucinations and delusions have subsided but the patient is still unkempt and has a flat affect. Which statement best describes the patient’s residual symptoms?

A 23-year-old patient presents with chest pain. Which additional finding would point to cocaine abuse as the cause of the chest pain?

The nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer disease (AD). The patient is able to speak and hear, but is unable to understand what is being said to him. Which term does the nurse use to document this finding?

The nurse is assessing an elderly patient for possible mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Which of the following is the most efficient screening tool for MCI?

The nurse is called to assist in the care of a child recently diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect to find?

The patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I can’t stand it anymore. My life is worthless.” Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A patient with a substance abuse disorder tells the nurse that the only reason that he uses drugs is because his family and job are so stressful and suffocating. Which defense mechanism describes the patient’s statement?

The nurse is called to assess a female patient who says she has been raped. Which of the following is part of an appropriate post-assault STD regimen?

The nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer disease (AD). When the family comes to visit, they are excited to hear the patient talk about when he was a child and tell the nurse that they think his memory is returning. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?

The patient with schizophrenia has recently started thiothixene therapy. The nurse is most vigilant for which irreversible complication of antipsychotic therapy?

The nurse is caring for an elderly patient prone to delirium. In the middle of the night, the patient wakes up agitated and upset and insists that she is late for an appointment. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The nurse is caring for a patient with long-standing schizophrenia who is in hospital for a change in his antipsychotic medication. After a month on the new medication, the patient begins to display some involuntary facial movements, such as smacking his lips and grimacing. Which statement is true regarding this change?

The nurse is caring for a patient with schizophrenia who has bacterial endocarditis secondary to intravenous drug use. The patient’s antipsychotic medication is changed from risperidone to clozapine. Within days, the patient develops a serious cardiac arrhythmia. The nurse attributes the patient’s arrhythmia to which cause?

The nurse is caring for a patient with narcissistic personality disorder in a long-term care facility. The patient says that a fellow patient “always talks and thinks about nothing but himself.” The nurse’s experience with this patient has been different. He always seems very humble and self-effacing. Which defense mechanism is this patient displaying?

The nurse is taking the history of a patient found in the street trying to stop traffic. The patient admits to multiple recent long episodes of severe depression. Then, 12 days ago, the patient described feeling elated and “on top of the world.” He recounts many days planning far-reaching projects that would “change the world,” and required only an hour of sleep once or twice. Patient is talking continuously in a rapid, rushed manner and cannot seem to complete a thought without jumping to the next. He sometimes sees things that others do not see. The nurse anticipates which diagnosis?

The nurse is obtaining the history of a new mother who gave birth to her first child 3 months ago. Over the 3 months since the delivery, although the patient says she is happy her child is doing well, she says the majority of the time she feels negative and depressed about herself. This has progressively gotten worse over the past 3 months and for the last month, she cannot recall taking any pleasure at interacting with her child. She also feels constantly anxious that the child will develop a serious health problem and is not growing as she should. Which of the following statements is accurate regarding this new mother’s condition?

The nurse is caring for a celebrity patient who is suffering from generalized anxiety. Non-treating physicians and nurses have been asking the nurse about the case and clinical notes written by the nurse have been accessed by non-treating healthcare personnel. Which of the following statements are most appropriate regarding the patient’s medical confidentiality?

An adolescent’s parents reports their child tends to eat excessive amounts of food then disappears to the bathroom for an extended period immediately following the meal. The patient also frequently discusses ways to lose weight. The nurse suspects which condition?

An adolescent has been diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. Which treatment will you anticipate for this patient?

Which assessments, if found in the patient with schizophrenia, indicate the patient is experiencing positive symptoms of the disorder? Select all that apply.

The mother of the 16-year-old patient with schizophrenia asks the nurse, “I can hardly get him out of bed each day, he won’t ever shower, and it just doesn’t seem like he understands when I try to teach him new things. He takes his medicine like he’s supposed to. Why does he keep getting worse?” Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The patient with schizophrenia is taking clozapine. Which lab test is most important to follow in this patient to ensure safety?

The patient with major depressive disorder asks the nurse what causes the symptoms of depression. While the precise cause of depression is unknown, which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The nurse is providing education to the patient prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which food, if selected by the patient, indicates a need for further teaching?

The patient with major depressive disorder has been prescribed sertraline. Which medication, if discontinued the day prior in the patient’s chart, prompts the nurse to hold the medication and contact the provider?

Benzodiazepines act on which neuroreceptor to decrease anxiety and panic symptoms?

The patient who has been abusing benzodiazepines for 4 years tells the nurse, “I can’t let this drug control my life any longer. Take my pills; I’m quitting today.” Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

The patient with social anxiety disorder asks the nurse to explain why she feels the way she does in social situations. The nurse bases the response on which understanding of the pathophysiology of anxiety disorder?

The patient has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following sexual assault. The nurse anticipates providing education about which medication?

Which degenerative neurologic disorder is caused by neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques?

The 40-year-old patient has been diagnosed with early-onset Familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) and asks the nurse how likely it is that her children will have the disorder. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The middle-aged patient requests information on how to prevent Alzheimer disease. The nurse provides information about which diet that has shown promise in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer disease?

The nurse is assigned to care for a 27-year-old male who presented with acute onset personality changes and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Upon entering the patient’s room, the nurse notices the patient is staring at the ceiling and muttering. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

The nurse is caring for a 32-year-old patient admitted for neuropsychiatric evaluation. The patient says to the nurse, “Can’t you hear them? The voices are telling me to end it. I’m so scared.” Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A terminally ill patient has attempted to commit suicide by swallowing an entire bottle of opioid pain medication.The patient is brought to the emergency department and found to have a “Do Not Resuscitate” tattoo on her chest along with a handwritten note that states that she is tired of suffering and wishes her life to end. Which next step by the medical team is most appropriate?

A nurse is assigned to care for a 45-year-old male who is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. On the second day of admission, the patient becomes disoriented and combative, and the provider places him in bilateral wrist restraints. Which physical exam finding is most important for this patient?

A nurse is assigned to care for a 28-year-old patient with seizures and neuropsychiatric symptoms secondary to cocaine abuse. The patient is combative and prone to hurting himself despite a 24-hour bedside sitter, so the provider writes for physical restraints. Which options are included in this order? Select all that apply.

The 29-year-old male patient admitted with schizophrenia has pulled out 4 IVs in the last 12 hours. Which intervention does the nurse include in this patient’s care plan?

The nurse is assessing a 55-year-old male in bilateral wrist and ankle restraints for violent behavior. The nurse notes that the patient’s toes have a 5 second capillary refill time. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Following an assault by an unknown assailant, the patient is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which intervention must be implemented first for this patient? 

The patient with major depressive disorder has been prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The nurse has educated the patient on dietary restrictions that are required while taking an MAOI. Which statement by the patient indicates further teaching is required?

The patient who is scheduled for an elective surgery in 2 hours asks the nurse, “What time do the maids typically come to clean the hotel room?” Further questioning reveals the patient believes the hospital in the United States is a hotel in Paris, France, and the year is 20 years prior. The nurse notes that the patient signed a consent form for the procedure just minutes ago. Which action does the nurse take first?

Which patient is appropriate to assign to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?