HESI RN
Quizlet Mental Health HESI
1. A female client engages in repeated checks of door and window locks, behavior that prevents her from arriving on time and interferes with her ability to function effectively. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Discuss why the client checks the locks frequently
- B. Ask the client why she checks the locks
- C. Plan a daily list of activities to be carried out
- D. Determine the type and size of the locks
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to ask the client why she checks the locks. By doing so, the nurse can help the client gain insight into the underlying anxiety that drives this behavior and assist her in developing new adaptive coping strategies. Choice A is not as effective as directly asking the client about her behavior. Choice C focuses on planning activities but does not address the root cause of the client's behavior. Choice D is irrelevant to addressing the client's repeated checking behavior.
2. A young adult male is hospitalized due to depression and an attempted suicide. The client reports that he lost his job and was angry with his employer for firing him when he took an overdose of pain medications. Which behavior best indicates to the nurse that his condition is improving?
- A. Initiates interactions with other clients.
- B. Describes verbally when he is angry.
- C. Participates in a job search with a social worker.
- D. Denies plans to harm himself or others.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best indicator of improvement in a client with depression is initiating interactions with others. This behavior demonstrates that the client is becoming less withdrawn and more self-directed, showing an improvement in social engagement and coping mechanisms. Choice B, describing anger verbally, may show some progress in emotional expression but does not necessarily indicate overall improvement in depression. Choice C, participating in a job search with a social worker, may be positive but does not directly address social interactions, which are crucial for improving depression. Choice D, denying plans to harm himself or others, is important for safety but does not directly reflect improvement in the client's social functioning or coping skills.
3. A male client with known auditory hallucinations begins talking loudly and gesturing wildly while in the unit’s day room. What action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer a PRN sedative.
- B. Sit in the chair next to the client.
- C. Escort the client to his room.
- D. Listen to what the client is saying.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When dealing with a client experiencing auditory hallucinations, it is crucial for the nurse to first listen to what the client is saying. Auditory hallucinations may hold significance to the client, and by actively listening, the nurse can gather information about the content and context of the hallucinations. This information helps the nurse assess the client's current state, emotional responses, and the potential triggers for the behavior. Administering a PRN sedative (Choice A) should not be the initial action as it may suppress important information and feelings the client is trying to communicate. Sitting next to the client (Choice B) may not be appropriate without understanding the situation better. Escorting the client to his room (Choice C) may escalate the situation without addressing the underlying cause of the behavior, which can be better understood through active listening.
4. A client with borderline personality disorder is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which behavior should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
- A. Self-harming behavior.
- B. Difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
- C. Impulsive spending and substance abuse.
- D. Inconsistent adherence to the treatment regimen.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Self-harming behavior is the priority in the care plan for a client with borderline personality disorder. This behavior poses an immediate risk to the client's safety and requires prompt intervention. Difficulty with interpersonal relationships, impulsive spending, and substance abuse are also common in borderline personality disorder; however, self-harming behavior takes precedence due to its potential for severe harm. Inconsistent adherence to the treatment regimen, though important, is not as urgent as addressing the immediate safety concerns related to self-harm.
5. A client tells the RN that he has an IQ of 400+ and is a genius and an inventor. He also reports that he is married to a female movie star and thinks that his brother wants a sexual relationship with her. What is the priority nursing problem for admission to the psychiatric unit?
- A. Ineffective sexual patterns.
- B. Impaired environmental interpretation.
- C. Disturbed sensory perception.
- D. Compromised family coping.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing problem for admission to the psychiatric unit is 'Disturbed sensory perception.' This choice is correct because the client's delusional beliefs about having an IQ of 400+, being a genius and an inventor, being married to a movie star, and suspecting his brother of wanting a sexual relationship with her indicate a significant disturbance in sensory perception. The client's perceptions are not based in reality, indicating a need for immediate intervention to address these distorted beliefs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: 'Ineffective sexual patterns' is not the priority as the client's delusions go beyond just sexual relationships, 'Impaired environmental interpretation' does not capture the primary issue of distorted perceptions, and 'Compromised family coping' is not the priority concern in this scenario compared to the severe sensory perception disturbances displayed by the client.
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