which of the following mental health situations is considered a psychiatric emergency
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NCLEX-RN

Psychosocial Integrity NCLEX RN Questions

1. Which of the following mental health situations is considered a psychiatric emergency?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A major depressive episode with psychotic features is considered a psychiatric emergency because it poses a significant risk to the individual's safety. Psychotic features in depression can include hallucinations, delusions, or other severe symptoms that require immediate intervention. While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression with melancholic features are serious conditions, they do not inherently represent an acute emergency that necessitates immediate hospitalization. Bipolar depression, although severe, does not inherently involve psychotic symptoms that would classify it as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention. It's crucial to recognize the urgency and severity of major depressive episodes with psychotic features to ensure appropriate and timely treatment.

2. What is the nurse's initial plan for providing pain relief measures during labor for a pregnant client with a history of opioid abuse?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a pregnant client with a history of opioid abuse, scheduling pain medication at regular intervals is the initial plan for providing pain relief during labor. This client may have a lower tolerance for pain and a greater need for pain relief. If medication is only administered when the pain is severe, larger doses may be needed, leading to increased anxiety and discomfort. Avoiding medication unless requested is not ideal, as proactive pain management is crucial during labor. Recognizing that less pain medication will be needed by this client compared with others is incorrect, as individuals with a history of opioid abuse often require more medication due to tolerance to addictive drugs.

3. When assessing an older adult, which vital sign changes would the nurse recognize as occurring with aging?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assessing an older adult, the nurse should be aware that with aging, systolic blood pressure tends to increase, resulting in widened pulse pressure. While in many older individuals both systolic and diastolic pressures increase, the pulse rate and body temperature typically do not increase with aging. Therefore, the correct answer is widened pulse pressure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because pulse rate does not necessarily increase with age, body temperature generally remains stable, and diastolic blood pressure may increase instead of decreasing in many older adults.

4. A client diagnosed with sexual dysfunction states, 'Well, I guess my sex life is over.' Which response would the nurse use as a reply?

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.

5. A client says, 'The doctors lied about me. They said I murdered my mother. You killed her. She died before I was born.' Which psychotic feature is the client experiencing?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The client is experiencing persecutory delusions, as she believes that others are blaming her for negative actions. This is not about ideas of grandeur, which involve feelings of greatness or power. Confusing illusions refer to misinterpretation of stimuli, which is not present in this scenario. Auditory hallucinations involve hearing voices, which is not the case here. In this case, the client is delusional, but not hallucinating.

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