NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Questions
1. Which behavior best indicates that the client has received adequate preparation for the scheduled diagnostic studies?
- A. Asks for the tests to be explained again
- B. Checks the appointment card multiple times
- C. Arrives early and waits quietly to be called for the tests
- D. Paces back and forth in the hallway on the morning of the tests
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is arriving early and waiting quietly to be called for the tests. This behavior indicates that the client is prepared, as early arrival suggests an expected degree of anxiety and the quiet waiting indicates a lower level of anxiety and adequate preparation. Asking for the tests to be explained again may signal inadequate explanation, nervousness, or poor memory. Checking the appointment card repeatedly or pacing up and down the hallway indicate a high level of anxiety, which could be associated with inadequate teaching. Nurses providing preprocedural teaching should assess for anxiety related to procedures, coping mechanisms, and retention of information post-teaching. If issues are identified, strategies such as paraphrasing information, having a support person present, seeking advice from someone who has undergone the procedure, or visiting the test center beforehand can be utilized.
2. The client is a 35-year-old multiparous individual scheduled for a tubal ligation. The nurse assesses the client's emotional response to the planned procedure. Which factor in the client's history will contribute to the healthy resolution of any emotional problem associated with sterilization?
- A. Belief that the surgery will relieve her monthly dysmenorrhea
- B. Knowledge that her partner does not want to have any more children
- C. Feeling that her family is complete and she now has the children she planned for
- D. Recovery from her previous complicated birth and a desire to avoid another birth
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is feeling that her family is complete and she now has the children she planned for. Many couples in their 30s who feel that their families are complete choose sterilization as their method of contraception. Sterilization by means of tubal ligation should not be expected to have an effect on dysmenorrhea. The decision to undergo sterilization should be the individual's own choice and should not be influenced by others, including partners. Decisions regarding sterilization should ideally be made when the individual is not under stress, such as after recovery from a previous complicated birth. Therefore, the key factor contributing to a healthy resolution of emotional issues related to sterilization is the feeling of family completeness and achieving the planned number of children.
3. A client comes into the emergency room and asks to see a doctor. He is anxious, visibly upset, and keeps looking behind him to the waiting room. When the nurse asks his chief complaint, he says, 'My roommate is trying to kill me.' Which of the following is the most appropriate initial response of the nurse?
- A. Just wait here and I will notify security.
- B. I'm going to speak with the physician about getting some medication that may help you.
- C. Why is your roommate trying to kill you?
- D. Have you called the police to report this?
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Upon initial assessment of a client who appears anxious and upset, with claims that need further exploration, the nurse's initial response should be to gather more information about the situation. By asking 'Why is your roommate trying to kill you?' the nurse shows empathy while trying to understand the patient's perspective. This open-ended question allows the nurse to assess the situation comprehensively. Options A and D jump to conclusions or suggest actions without understanding the situation. Option B focuses solely on medication without addressing the underlying issue. It is crucial to assess the situation further before taking any action or providing treatment.
4. A 5-year-old child has been recently admitted to the hospital. According to Erik Erikson's psychosocial development stages, the child is in which stage?
- A. Trust vs. mistrust
- B. Initiative vs. guilt
- C. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
- D. Intimacy vs. isolation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Initiative vs. guilt.' According to Erik Erikson's psychosocial development stages, children aged 3-6 years old are in the stage of initiative versus guilt. During this stage, children begin to assert their power and control over the environment. They develop a sense of purpose and direction, but may also experience feelings of guilt if they believe their actions have caused harm or conflict. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. 'Trust vs. mistrust' is the first stage for infants, 'Autonomy vs. shame and doubt' is the second stage for toddlers, and 'Intimacy vs. isolation' is a stage that occurs later in adulthood.
5. A female nurse is assessing a male patient of Arab descent who is admitted with complaints of severe headaches. It is most important for the nurse to intervene if she takes which action?
- A. The nurse explains the 0 to 10 intensity pain scale.
- B. The nurse asks the patient when the headaches started.
- C. The nurse sits down at the bedside and closes the privacy curtain.
- D. The nurse calls for a male nurse to bring a hospital gown to the room.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In some Arab cultures, it is not considered appropriate for a male to be alone with a female who is not his spouse. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to respect the patient's cultural beliefs and privacy by ensuring that a female nurse is not alone with the male patient. Sitting down at the bedside and closing the privacy curtain could potentially lead to a situation where the nurse is alone with the patient, which goes against the patient's cultural norms. The other actions, such as explaining the pain scale, asking about the onset of headaches, and requesting a male nurse to bring a hospital gown, are all appropriate and do not conflict with the patient's cultural beliefs.
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