NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Questions
1. A client has just died, and their son states, 'She was the most wonderful mother. There was no one who was a better mother than she was. She was perfect.' Which stage of grief is this son experiencing?
- A. Denial
- B. Anger
- C. Idealization
- D. Shock
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The son is experiencing the idealization stage of grief. During this stage, individuals tend to idealize the deceased person and remember them in a highly positive light, overlooking any negative aspects. This idealization serves as a coping mechanism to deal with the loss. Choice A, Denial, is incorrect as denial involves refusing to accept the reality of the loss. Choice B, Anger, is incorrect as it involves feelings of resentment and frustration. Choice D, Shock, is incorrect as shock is the initial reaction to the loss and is different from idealizing the deceased individual.
2. Which characteristic would be a concern for the nurse when caring for a client with schizophrenia in the early phase of treatment?
- A. Continual pacing
- B. Suspicious feelings
- C. Inability to socialize with others
- D. Disturbed relationship with the family
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the early phase of treatment for a client with schizophrenia, the nurse needs to address the client's suspicious feelings to establish trust and create a therapeutic environment. Suspicious feelings can hinder the development of a positive nurse-client relationship. Continual pacing, while a symptom, can be managed by the nurse and does not directly impact the therapeutic relationship. Inability to socialize with others and a disturbed relationship with the family are important factors but are of lesser concern in the early treatment phase as compared to addressing suspicious feelings to build trust and rapport.
3. A 28-year-old woman is recovering from her third consecutive spontaneous abortion in 2 years. Which is the most therapeutic nursing intervention for this client at her follow-up appointment?
- A. Focusing on the client's physical needs
- B. Encouraging the client to verbalize her feelings about the loss
- C. Reminding the client that she will be able to become pregnant again
- D. Encouraging the client to think of herself, her husband, and their future
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most therapeutic nursing intervention for a client recovering from multiple spontaneous abortions is to encourage the client to verbalize her feelings about the loss. This allows the client to express and process her emotions, facilitating the grieving process and emotional healing. Focusing solely on the client's physical needs, as in choice A, overlooks the importance of addressing the emotional aspect of the client's experience. Choice C, reminding the client that she will be able to become pregnant again, fails to acknowledge the current loss and may minimize the client's feelings of grief. Choice D, encouraging the client to think of herself, her husband, and their future, does not directly address the client's immediate emotional needs related to the recent loss. Therefore, choice B is the most appropriate intervention to support the client in coping with her emotional distress.
4. An older woman has lived alone since the death of her husband 10 years ago, and she has a long list of vague complaints. Which assessment is the priority for the home health nurse to perform?
- A. Assess for feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- B. Determine if the client has unresolved grief.
- C. Determine if there are safety issues.
- D. Ask about the availability of support systems.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The priority assessment for the home health nurse in this scenario is to determine if there are safety issues. The client is an older woman living alone with a long list of vague complaints, indicating several risk factors. Ensuring her safety should be the primary concern. While assessing for feelings of loneliness, isolation, or grief is important, ensuring the client's safety takes precedence due to her vulnerable situation. Although assessing the availability of support systems is essential in a home health assessment, safety issues must be addressed first given the client's profile.
5. Which consideration is the most accurate when applying the principles of mental health?
- A. Emotionally ill individuals may initially reject psychological support from family or others.
- B. People with emotional illnesses may experience challenges in problem-solving.
- C. Mental illness is not solely characterized by signs and symptoms of socially inappropriate behavior.
- D. Emotional health is promoted when there is a sense of mastery of self and the environment.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Emotional health is enhanced when an individual feels a sense of control over themselves and their surroundings, fostering security, reducing anxiety, and promoting optimal functioning. While some emotionally ill individuals may reject help initially, many are in distress and acknowledge the need for psychological support. Some seek care based on positive past experiences or the attention received. Additionally, individuals with excellent cognitive function may face challenges in problem-solving due to emotional or psychological barriers. Not all individuals with mental illness exhibit socially inappropriate behavior; it is a misconception that mental illness is solely characterized by such signs and symptoms. Therefore, the most accurate consideration among the choices is that emotional health thrives when there is a feeling of mastery over oneself and the environment.
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