Mental Health Disorders

The nurse learns the patient has a plan to kill as many people as possible by stabbing or shooting them. Which intervention by the nurse is most important?

The patient with antisocial personality disorder is known to have violent outbursts. Which actions by the patient indicate the patient may become physically violent? Select all that apply.

The patient with acute psychosis tells the nurse he is going to leave this earth soon and go live in a house with the little green men on Mars. Which is the best response to this statement?

A patient who has severe depression asks if electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) could help his depression. Which response is most appropriate?

The 15-year-old patient is hospitalized after harming herself when her mother would not let her use her cell phone. While she is awaiting inpatient psychiatric placement, she repeatedly expresses a desire to leave. Which intervention is most helpful to prevent the patient from eloping?

Which signs indicate that a patient with chronic depression may be planning to commit suicide? Select all that apply.

The patient with advanced dementia accuses the nurse of trying to poison him with his scheduled medications. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

Which question by the student nurse assessing a potentially suicidal patient requires prompt correction by the supervising nurse?

The patient with a history of psychiatric disorders tells the nurse that her neighbor is working with Mr. Dawsom at the World Financial Organization to bring the world under their control, and that she is the only one who knows about it. Which response by the nurse is best?

Place the nursing interventions for a 16-year-old patient in the hospital for severe malnutrition and depression with a history of falls in order from highest priority to lowest priority.

The provider orders physical restraints for a patient in alcohol withdrawal who is delirious, combative, and a fall risk. Which statement is true regarding use of physical restraints for this patient?

The patient with neurosyphilis who has attempted to stab the nurse with scissors, pulled out several IVs, and is a fall risk is placed in wrist restraints per physician order. How frequently does the nurse assess the patient’s skin integrity?

Which patient is most at risk for developing a decubitus ulcer?

A patient with a history of schizophrenia states, “I know my doctor is trying to poison me with these medications.” Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?

Which statement by the patient’s spouse indicates an understanding of the teaching about bipolar disorder?

Which characteristic is considered to be a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

The nurse is caring for a 30-year-old male patient who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Which of the following is not a routine component of the patient's plan of care?

The 51-year-old male with major depressive disorder is ordered to receive trazodone 25 mg PO at bedtime. The nurse instructs the patient about which primary indication of trazodone for this patient? 

The patient is being treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder with medication and behavioral therapy. At a follow-up visit, the patient reports near complete resolution of symptoms. The nurse anticipates discussing which treatment plan?  

The patient with persistent shoulder pain with associated numbness of the hand is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The patient tells the nurse, "I'm terrified of enclosed spaces. I just don't know if I'll survive this test." After relaying the patient's concerns to the provider, which response does the nurse expect from the provider? 

The patient with bipolar disorder is verbally threatening the staff and other patients in the medical surgical unit. Which initial action is most appropriate? 

The patient is admitted with failure to thrive secondary to bulimia nervosa. The nurse anticipates administering which medication? 

The nurse learns in report the patient with schizophrenia has mainly exhibited negative symptoms. The nurse most expects to make which observation? 

The patient with chronic pain and generalized anxiety disorder has been prescribed alprazolam. Which medication, if also prescribed to the patient, prompts the nurse to clarify the order with the provider?

Which question does the nurse ask to determine the patient's risk for suicide in the patient with major depressive disorder? 

The nurse is asking a 36-year-old man with schizophrenia to interpret the proverb, “Seize the day”. Which clinical symptom is assessed by the nurse?

Following electroconvulsive therapy, the patient with bipolar disorder tells the nurse he does not remember whether he arrived by bus or car. Which response by the nurse is appropriate? 

The nurse is assessing the patient with major depressive disorder. Which characteristic alerts the nurse that the patient may be planning to commit suicide? 

The 34-year-old G1P1 patient who just delivered a healthy baby via cesarean section four hours ago. The patient sits on the bed watching her newborn lying in the bed but does not touch or hold the baby. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? 

The patient with delusional disorder tells the nurse that he needs to see the Pope in Rome because he is a messenger of God. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?

The nurse prioritizes which intervention in caring for the patient with borderline personality disorder? 

The nurse is assigned to a 38-year-old patient who presents with polydipsia and polyuria. Past medical history is significant for bipolar disorder diagnosed two months ago, for which the patient was prescribed lithium. The nurse anticipates further testing will reveal which condition? 

Following nephrectomy surgery, the patient is groggy and continuously pulls at the IV inserted in the right arm. Which intervention is most appropriate to protect the IV?

The nurse informs the parent of an 18-month-old patient at the well-child visit that screening for an autism spectrum disorder at which time(s)?

The patient with major depressive disorder who has been off medication for a couple of years has been prescribed fluoxetine (Zoloft) again. The patient states, "I'm concerned about starting this medication again. I'm a taxi driver and it always used to make me so sleepy." Which instruction from the nurse is appropriate?

The patient has been prescribed lithium for treatment of bipolar disorder. Which instruction does the nurse include in teaching? 

The older adult patient is brought to the emergency department with sudden onset confusion, agitation, and hallucinations. The patient's past medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes managed with glyburide, anxiety managed with lorazepam, and insomnia managed with zolpidem. Upon assessment, the patient's heart rate and rhythm are regular, lungs are clear to auscultation, and bowel sounds are present. Vital signs are normal, with exception of a slightly elevated heart rate. Which is the most likely cause of the patient's symptoms?

The patient who recently lost her young child to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) tells the nurse that she is having trouble handling the grief and feels like she is to blame for her child’s death. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? 

The man who lost his wife and child to a drunk driving accident one year ago is receiving care in a behavioral health unit. The patient tells the nurse that he has begun to feel better and feels like he is ready for release. Which statement indicates the patient should remain in the unit?

Which assessment is most consistent with disorganized schizophrenia? 

The patient brought to the emergency department by police was found in the middle of traffic, alternating between grandiose declarations and expressing a desire to commit suicide. On physical assessment, the patient is tachycardic and hypertensive. The nurse suspects which diagnosis will be made?

The unresponsive patient is brought via ambulance to the emergency department.  On physical assessment, the patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute and pinpoint pupils. The nurse suspects which cause of the patient's condition?

A confused, minimally arousable patient is brought to the emergency department via ambulance. The patient is hypotensive and bradypneic. Paramedics report finding an empty bottle of diazepam next to the patient. The nurse prepares which therapy?

The patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse of his plans to initiate a fire in the kitchen of the psychiatric department. Which action does the nurse take first?

The 15-year-old patient with anorexia nervosa has been prescribed nasogastric tube feeding for malnutrition. Which intervention is helpful in promoting the patient’s autonomy?

Which findings on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan suggest Alzheimer’s disease? Select all that apply.

The nurse is creating a tool to screen patients for depression and includes questions about which symptoms in the tool? Select all that apply.

A patient with longstanding alcohol abuse problems is admitted for COPD exacerbation. After reaching the floor, the patient becomes disoriented, anxious, tachycardic, diaphoretic, and tremulous. His oxygen saturation is 95% on 2 L supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula. Which intervention is most appropriate for this patient?

The nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder. The nurse recognizes which sign/symptom supports the diagnosis of depression?

The patient is hunched over in the emergency department waiting room, breathing slowly and shallowly. His wife insists he “took something”. The man has bradypnea and marked miosis. Which intoxicant does the nurse suspect?