1.ID: 21776939077
The mother of a 3-year-old child tells the nurse that her child hit her doll after the
mother scolded her for picking the neighbors’
... [Show More] flowers. Which defense mechanism used
by the child does the nurse identify in the mother’s report?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Displacement Correct
D. Identification
Rationale: The defense mechanism of displacement involves the discharge of intense
feelings for one person onto a substitute person or object that is less threatening to
satisfy an impulse. Projection involves attributing an attitude, behavior, or impulse, such
as that which occurs in blaming or scapegoating, to someone else. Sublimation is the
act of rechanneling an impulse into a more socially acceptable object. Identification
involves modeling behavior after someone else's.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the subject of the question, defense mechanisms.
Focusing on the data in the question and the child’s behavior will direct you to the
correct option.
Review: these defense mechanisms .
Reference: Varcarolis, E., & Halter, M. (2009). Essentials of psychiatric mental health
nursing: A communication approach to evidence-based care (p. 133). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Development, Anxiety
HESI Concepts: Developmental, Mood and Affect, Stress & Coping
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
2. 2.ID: 21776939074
A client says to the nurse, “I’ve been following my diet and taking my medication. What
else do you want to talk about today?” Which response would be most helpful during
the working phase of the therapeutic alliance?
A. “Sounds fine to me. Let’s meet again in 6 months.”
B. “I don’t believe that you have been following your diet, because
you haven’t lost any weight.”
C. “Well, you’ve talked about diet in your terms, but perhaps I should
test you on specific things.”
D. “Some people have added exercise to diet and medication therapy
and gotten positive results. Do you think that this would work for you?” CorrectRationale: Although suggestion or overt giving of advice is sometimes nontherapeutic,
these strategies are therapeutic when used in the working phase, because in this
situation they will increase the client’s perception of all available options in the
treatment plan. Answering, “Sounds fine to me. Let’s meet again in 6 months” stops the
communication process. Stating to the client that he or she has not lost any weight
implies disbelief and does not explore the reasons for the client’s failure to lose weight.
“Testing” challenges the client and is nontherapeutic.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic word “most” and remember therapeutic
communication techniques. Noting the words “working phase” in the question will
direct you to the correct option.
Review: therapeutic communication techniques .
Reference: Stuart, G. (2009). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (9th ed., pp.
27-31, 553). St. Louis: Mosby.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Communication, Health Promotion
HESI Concepts: Communication, Health Promotion
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
3. 3.ID: 21776939071
As the nurse prepares to interview a client being admitted to the mental health unit, the
client says, “I asked my family to bring me in here to talk to someone, but now I don’t
know where to begin.” Which response by the nurse would be most helpful?
A. “Why not just start talking and see where it takes you?”
B. “If I were you, I’d begin with what you were doing this morning.”
C. “Perhaps you can start by sharing some of your most recent
concerns.” Correct
D. “Don’t worry. Everyone who comes in here for the first time feels
reluctant to talk.”
Rationale: The intake interview is usually the first contact with the client. It is intended
to establish rapport, to help the nurse understand the client’s current problem and level
of functioning, and to help the nurse formulate a nursing care plan. The clinician usually
allows the client to set the pace of the interview and uses open-ended questions to elicit
a comprehensive diagnostic picture of the client’s problems and level of coping. Sharing
concerns is a good place to start the conversation, because it will allow the client to
express feelings. The response “Why not just start talking and see where it takes you?”
is too general and does not provide the client with a focus on self. Telling the client not
to worry is nontherapeutic and avoids addressing the client’s concerns.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic word “most.” Use your knowledge of
therapeutic communication techniques. Focusing on the client’s feelings will direct you
to the correct option.
Review: therapeutic communication techniques .References: Stuart, G. (2009). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (9th ed., pp.
27-31). St. Louis: Mosby.
Varcarolis, E., & Halter, M. (2009). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: A
communication approach to evidence-based care (pp. 117-118). St. Louis: Saunders.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Communication, Mood and Affect
HESI Concepts: Communication, Mood & Affect
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
4. 4.ID: 21776939068
During a mental health intake interview, a young adult client who lives with his family
rent free says, “I’m tired of not being able to offer my friends a beer just because my
folks don’t believe in taking a drink socially.” Which nursing response would be
therapeutic?
A. “Well, I guess you could move out and live on your own if you
wanted to.”
B. “It seems that your parents expect you to follow their rules when
you live under their roof.” Correct
C. “You tell me you live rent free, yet you expect the same privileges
as an adult who supports the household?”
D. “Well, if you directly discussed your concerns with them, I guess
it’s a case of ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’”
Rationale: The therapeutic nursing response uses reflection, in which the nurse directs
the content of the client’s message back for the client to review from a new perspective.
This technique also includes an element of focusing on the crux of the issue — in this
case, that it is his parents’ home and they set the rules for living in their home, just as
he someday will in his. Telling the client to move out is giving advice or suggestions to
the client prematurely. Although this technique can be useful in the working phase, it is
usually nontherapeutic when the nurse needs to promote client understanding and selfexploration. Stating, “You tell me you live rent free, yet you expect the same privileges
as an adult who supports the household?” is judgmental and poorly timed in that it
humiliates the client unnecessarily. The client has acknowledged that he pays no rent,
so there is no helpful purpose in reemphasizing this fact. Stating, “Well, if you directly
discussed your concerns with them, I guess it’s a case of ‘When in Rome, do as the
Romans do.’” is nontherapeutic in that it offers a cliché and expresses hopelessness and
powerlessness, two emotions that the client is no doubt already experiencing.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use your knowledge of therapeutic communication
techniques. This will direct you to the correct option, the nursing response that focuses
on the client’s concerns and feelings.
Review: therapeutic communication techniques .
Reference: Stuart, G. (2009). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (9th ed., pp.27-31). St. Louis: Mosby.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Communication, Family Dynamics
HESI Concepts: Communication, Developmental
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
5. 5.ID: 21776939065
The nurse developing a plan of care for a client whose spouse recently died, determines
the client has a problem with dysfunctional grieving. Which priority intervention does
the nurse incorporate into the plan?
A. Monitoring the client’s sleep pattern
B. Assessing the client’s risk for violence toward self and
others Correct
C. Obtaining a health care provider’s prescription for an
antidepressant
D. Assisting the client in resolving the grief through emotional,
cognitive, and behavioral means
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client with dysfunctional grieving is assessing
the client’s risk for violence toward self and others. Although the nurse will assist the
client in resolving the grief and will monitor the client’s sleep pattern, these are not
priorities in the list of options given. Obtaining a health care provider’s prescription for
an antidepressant is not a priority.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the steps of the nursing process. Both monitoring the
client’s sleep pattern and assessing the client’s risk for violence toward self and others
involve assessment. From these options, select the one that addresses the safety of the
client.
Review: interventions for a client with dysfunctional grieving .
Reference: Fortinash, K., & Holoday-Worret, P. (2008). Psychiatric mental health
nursing (4th ed., pp. 596, 599-600). St. Louis: Mosby.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Mood and Affect, Safety
HESI Concepts: Grief & Loss, Safety
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
6. 6.ID: 21776939062
A client in the mental health unit tells the nurse, “My husband makes all the decisions
about money, but I’m the one who’s making the money now, not him. He needs to back
off, but he’s always directing every decision we make.” Which nursing response would
be the most therapeutic?A. “Have you told your husband to back off”?
B. “You’re making the most money, so the decisions should be left to
you.”
C. “How do you feel the money decisions could best be handled in
your household?” Correct
D. “You seem frustrated with your husband’s habit of controlling
financial decisions.”
Rationale: The therapeutic nursing response is the one that provides a broad opening
or statement and is focused on the client’s feelings. In this response, the nurse will be
able to assess what the client believes concerning family financial decision-making.
Asking, “Have you told your husband to ‘back off’?” is improperly paraphrasing the
client and assumes that the client’s stance is correct. Stating, “You’re making the most
money, so decisions should be left to you,” is inappropriate restating and provides an
opinion; this response may be seen by the client as reassurance that her interpretation
is being judged correct. When stating, “You seem to feel frustrated….,” the nurse is
sharing perceptions, which may appear to be challenging to the client when used in this
context.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use your knowledge of therapeutic communication
techniques. Remember to focus on the client’s feelings and to provide the client the
opportunity to communicate. This will direct you to the correct option.
Review: therapeutic communication techniques .
References: Stuart, G. (2009). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (9th ed., pp.
27-31). St. Louis: Mosby.
Varcarolis, E., & Halter, M. (2009). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: A
communication approach to evidence-based care (pp. 380, 381). St. Louis: Saunders.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Communication, Family Dynamics
HESI Concepts: Communication, Developmental
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
7. 7.ID: 21776939059
The new nurse employee is developing a plan of care, with the registered nurse, for a
client who recently received a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
and is experiencing difficulty adjusting to the illness. The registered nurse should
suggest revision of which intervention for this client?
A. Monitoring the client for signs of self-harm
B. Helping the client verbalize concerns related to fear
C. Assisting the client with problem-solving and decision-making
D. Discouraging social networking to prevent the spread of
infection CorrectRationale: In planning care for a client experiencing difficulty in adjusting to an illness,
the nurse develops interventions to promote (not discourage) social networking that will
provide needed information to the client. The other options are appropriate
interventions.
Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic word “ revision.” Recalling that social
support is important will direct you to the correct option. Also, use data in the
question and note the relationship between the word “inappropriate” in the question
and “discouraging” in the correct option.
Review: interventions for a client experiencing difficulty in adjusting to an illness.
Reference: Stuart, G. (2009). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (9th ed., pp.
483, 484). St. Louis: Mosby.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Evaluating
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Planning
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Collaboration, Immunity
HESI Concepts: Collaboration/Managing, Immunity
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
8. 8.ID: 21776939056
A nurse is caring for a patient whose spouse has died. How does the nurse determine
that a client who has lost a spouse has successfully completed the tasks of
mourning? Select all that apply.
A. Relating that “its better he went first”
B. Reporting that sleeping alone is so hard now Correct
C. Purchasing a smaller car she is comfortable driving Correct
D. Placing a picture of her husband on the bedside stand Correct
E. Heard explaining to family that illness “took” her husband Correct
Rationale: The tasks of mourning have been identified as accepting the reality of the
loss; experiencing the pain of grief; adjusting to life without the lost one; and relocating
and memorializing the loved one. It is not necessary to find a positive aspect to the loss
in order to deal with the loss in a psychologically healthy manner. Therefore relating
that “its better he went first” is incorrect.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination and focus on the subject,
completing the tasks of mourning. Recalling the tasks of mourning will direct you to the
correct options.
Review: the tasks related to mourning and Grief & Loss if you had difficulty with this
question.
Reference: Varcarolis, E., & Halter, M. (2010).
Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach. (6th ed., p. 453).
Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process/AssessmentContent Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Family Dynamics, Stress
HESI Concepts: Grief & Loss, Stress & Coping
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
9. 9.ID: 21776938796
The nurse is caring for a 15-year-old girl who has been hospitalized. The client tells the
nurse that she had her hair styled just like her young math teacher, whom she admires.
Which defense mechanism should the nurse recognize that the client is using?
A. Projection
B. Regression
C. Identification Correct
D. Intellectualization
Rationale: Identification is the process by which a person tries to become like someone
he or she admires by taking on the beliefs, mannerisms, or tastes of that person.
Projection is attributing one's thoughts or impulses to another person. Regression is
retreating to a behavior characteristic of an earlier level of development.
Intellectualization is excessive reasoning or logic used to avoid experiencing disturbed
feelings.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the client adjusting her appearance
based on a person she admires. Noting that the client is mimicking a characteristic of
another person will direct you to the correct option.
Review: these defense mechanisms .
Reference: Stuart, G. (2009). Principles & practice of psychiatric nursing (9th ed., pp.
377, 378). St. Louis: Mosby.
Varcarolis, E., & Halter, M. (2009). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: A
communication approach to evidence-based care (p. 136). St. Louis: Saunders.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
Content Area: Mental Health
Giddens Concepts: Coping, Mood and Affect
HESI Concepts: Mood and Affect, Stress & Coping
Awarded 100.0 points out of 100.0 possible points.
10. 10.ID: 21776938793
The mental health home care nurse says to the client, “Do you feel ready to try
attending a group session at the clinic?” The client shakes his head. Which nursing
statement would be therapeutic?
A. “No? Why not?”
B. “You seem to be saying no. Would you tell me more about your
reluctance?” Correct
C. “OK, but I hope you will let me know when you feel ready to attend
a group session at the clinic.”D. “Perhaps a group session would be too overwhelming for you right
now. How about just seeing me?” [Show Less]