NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Questions
1. The nurse is caring for a Native American patient who has traditional beliefs about health and illness. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Avoid asking questions unless the patient initiates the conversation.
- B. Ask the patient whether it is important that cultural healers are contacted.
- C. Explain the usual hospital routines for meal times, care, and family visits.
- D. Obtain further information about the patient's cultural beliefs from a family member.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When caring for a patient with traditional health beliefs, it is essential to respect and address their cultural practices. Asking the patient whether it is important to involve cultural healers, such as a shaman, aligns with providing culturally sensitive care. Avoiding asking questions unless initiated by the patient may hinder effective communication and understanding of the patient's needs. Consulting a family member for cultural beliefs assumes that all family members share the same beliefs, which may not be accurate. Additionally, the patient's personal beliefs should be prioritized over family input. Explaining hospital routines without considering the patient's cultural preferences may lead to a lack of patient-centered care. Therefore, the most appropriate action is to inquire about the patient's preference regarding cultural healers.
2. Which source of stress would the nurse anticipate in a 5-year-old client?
- A. Jealousy
- B. Stubbornness
- C. Procrastination
- D. Companionship
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Procrastination, which refers to delaying completing chores or activities, is a common source of stress for 5-year-old clients. At this age, children may start experiencing stress related to the pressure of tasks or expectations. Jealousy and stubbornness are more typical sources of stress for 3- and 4-year-old clients who are still developing social and emotional skills. Companionship, on the other hand, is generally seen as a positive aspect in a child's life and is not typically a source of stress but rather a source of support and comfort.
3. Which response would the nurse make to a client who says, 'The voices say I'll be safe only if I stay in this room, wear these clothes, and avoid stepping on the cracks between the floor tiles'?
- A. Ask whether the voices are male or female and how many there are.
- B. Reassure the client by stating, 'I understand that these voices are real to you, but I want you to know that I don't hear them.'
- C. Offer false reassurance by saying, 'Don't worry"?I've locked the door to your room and won't let anyone in.'
- D. Encourage the client to leave the room and keep busy to distract from the voices.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The response, 'I understand that these voices are real to you, but I want you to know that I don't hear them,' demonstrates empathy and validation of the client's experience while also gently bringing in the nurse's reality. This response acknowledges the client's feelings without reinforcing the hallucinations. Asking about the characteristics of the voices (Choice A) can inadvertently validate the hallucinations. Offering false reassurance (Choice B) may not be helpful as it does not address the client's distress. Encouraging the client to leave the room and keep busy (Choice D) is nontherapeutic as it disregards the client's experience and may increase anxiety.
4. 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.
5. When performing a cultural assessment with a patient from a different culture, what action should the nurse take first?
- A. Request an interpreter before interviewing the patient
- B. Wait until a family member is available to help with the assessment
- C. Ask the patient about any affiliation with a particular cultural group
- D. Tell the patient what the nurse already knows about the patient's culture
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When conducting a cultural assessment, the first step is to inquire if the patient has any affiliation with a specific cultural group. This helps the nurse understand the patient's background and beliefs. Requesting an interpreter before interviewing the patient may be necessary if language barriers exist. Waiting for a family member to assist with the assessment may delay the process and compromise patient confidentiality. Telling the patient what the nurse knows about their culture assumes knowledge and may lead to misunderstandings or inaccuracies.
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