NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity Questions
1. The wife of a client who is dying says, 'I want to see him, but I can only come twice a week because of work, household chores, and caring for our cat and dog.' Which defense mechanism is the wife using?
- A. Projection
- B. Sublimation
- C. Compensation
- D. Rationalization
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The wife is using rationalization as a defense mechanism. Rationalization involves offering a socially acceptable or logical explanation to justify an unacceptable feeling or behavior. In this scenario, the wife justifies her limited visits to her dying husband by citing other responsibilities such as work, household chores, and pet care. Projection involves denying one's unacceptable feelings and attributing them to others. Sublimation is the substitution of unacceptable feelings or drives with socially acceptable behaviors. Compensation involves making up for a perceived deficiency by emphasizing another perceived asset.
2. A client diagnosed with sexual dysfunction states, 'Well, I guess my sex life is over.' Which response would the nurse use as a reply?
- A. I'm sorry to hear that.'
- B. 'Oh, you have a lot of good years left.'
- C. 'You are concerned about your sex life?'
- D. 'Have you asked your primary health care provider about that?'
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The response 'You are concerned about your sex life?' explores the meaning of the statement and allows further expression of concern. It shows empathy and encourages the client to elaborate on their feelings. Choice A, 'I'm sorry to hear that,' does not prompt the client to share more about their concerns and may close off communication. Choice B, 'Oh, you have a lot of good years left,' lacks empathy and understanding of the client's emotions, diverting the focus from the client's feelings. Choice D, 'Have you asked your primary health care provider about that?' shifts the responsibility away from the nurse and may not address the client's emotional needs, potentially making them feel dismissed or embarrassed to seek help.
3. Which basic principle of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) should a client with alcohol use disorder follow?
- A. Spouses should attend Al-Anon meetings.
- B. It is a commitment to focus on long-term goals.
- C. Amends must be made to each person who has been harmed.
- D. People have the power to overcome alcoholism if they truly want to stop drinking.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is that amends must be made to each person who has been harmed. This principle is reflected in the eighth step of the 12 steps of AA, which involves making a list of all persons harmed and being willing to make amends to them. It is a fundamental principle of AA to address past harms and seek to rectify them. Choice A is incorrect because spouses attending Al-Anon meetings is not a basic principle of AA; it is a support group for family members of individuals with alcohol use disorder. Choice B is incorrect because while focusing on long-term goals can be beneficial, AA emphasizes taking one day at a time rather than committing to long-term goals. Choice D is incorrect because AA teaches that individuals struggling with alcoholism are powerless over their addiction and need to rely on a higher power rather than solely their willpower to overcome it.
4. Which communication technique is a part of therapeutic communication?
- A. Asking for explanations
- B. Showing sympathy to the client
- C. Asking personal questions of the client
- D. Providing relevant information to the client
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is providing relevant information to the client. In therapeutic communication, it is essential to provide clients with all pertinent information to help them understand their health status and what to expect. This empowers clients and promotes trust in the nurse-client relationship. Asking for explanations, showing sympathy, and asking personal questions are examples of nontherapeutic communication techniques. Asking personal questions can intrude on the client's privacy and may not be relevant to their care. Showing sympathy, while well-intentioned, may come across as pity rather than true empathy. Asking for explanations can sometimes put clients on the defensive rather than fostering a collaborative dialogue.
5. A client was admitted to the psychiatric unit after complaining to her friends and family that neighbors have bugged her home in order to hear all of her business. She remains aloof from other clients, paces the floor and believes that the hospital is a house of torture. Nursing interventions for the client should appropriately focus on efforts to
- A. Convince the client that the hospital staff is trying to help
- B. Help the client to enter into group recreational activities
- C. Provide interactions to help the client learn to trust staff
- D. Arrange the environment to limit the client's contact with other clients
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct nursing intervention for the client in this scenario is to provide interactions to help the client learn to trust staff. This approach focuses on building trust and establishing a therapeutic alliance between the client and the healthcare team. Choice A is incorrect because simply convincing the client that the hospital staff is trying to help may not address the underlying issue of trust. Choice B is not the priority at this stage as the client is exhibiting symptoms of paranoia and discomfort. Choice D may further isolate the client and hinder the therapeutic relationship. Therefore, the most appropriate intervention is to engage in interactions that promote trust and a therapeutic connection between the client and the staff.
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