NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Questions
1. A 19-year-old client is paralyzed in a car accident. Which statement used by the client would indicate to the nurse that the client was using the mechanism of 'suppression'?
- A. "I don't remember anything about what happened to me."?
- B. "I'd rather not talk about it right now."?
- C. "It's the other entire guy's fault! He was going too fast."?
- D. "My mother is heartbroken about this."?
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is, '"I don't remember anything about what happened to me."?' Suppression involves willfully putting an unacceptable thought or feeling out of one's mind. In this case, the client is purposely choosing not to remember details of the traumatic event to avoid dealing with the associated emotions. Choice B, '"I'd rather not talk about it right now,"?' suggests avoidance or deflection rather than active suppression. Choice C, '"It's the other entire guy's fault! He was going too fast,"?' indicates blaming someone else for the situation, which is a form of defense mechanism known as externalization. Choice D, '"My mother is heartbroken about this,"?' expresses empathy towards the mother's emotions and does not demonstrate suppression of personal feelings.
2. When bathing an uncircumcised boy older than 3 years, which action should the nurse take?
- A. Remind the child to clean his genital area.
- B. Defer perineal care because of the child's age.
- C. Retract the foreskin gently to cleanse the penis
- D. Ask the parents why the child is not circumcised
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When bathing an uncircumcised boy older than 3 years, it is essential to gently retract the foreskin to cleanse the penis. This helps in preventing the buildup of bacteria and maintaining good hygiene. Reminding the child to clean his genital area (Option A) may not be effective due to the child's cognitive development level. Perineal care should not be deferred (Option B) as it is necessary for maintaining hygiene at any age. Asking the parents why the child is not circumcised (Option D) is not relevant to the immediate care required during bathing.
3. While explaining an illness to a 10-year-old, what should the nurse keep in mind about cognitive development at this age?
- A. They are able to make simple associations of ideas.
- B. They are able to think logically in organizing facts.
- C. Interpretation of events originates from their own perspective.
- D. Conclusions are based on previous experiences.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is that 10-year-olds are able to think logically in organizing facts. At this age, children are in the concrete operational stage according to Piaget's theory of cognitive development. In this stage, they can understand and organize information logically and can manipulate objects mentally. Choice A is incorrect because simple associations of ideas are more characteristic of earlier developmental stages. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to egocentrism, which is more typical of the preoperational stage. Choice D is incorrect as basing conclusions on previous experiences is a broader concept that applies across different ages and stages of development, rather than being specific to 10-year-olds in the concrete operational stage.
4. A male client is laughing at a television program with his wife when the evening nurse enters the room. He says his foot is hurting and he would like a pain pill. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
- B. Encourage him to wait until bedtime so the pill can help him sleep.
- C. Attend to the acutely ill client's needs first because this client is laughing.
- D. Instruct him in the use of deep breathing exercises for pain control.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Obtaining a subjective estimate of the pain experience by asking the client to rate his pain helps the nurse determine which pain medication should be administered and also provides a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of the medication. Medicating for pain should not be delayed to use it as a sleep medication, so encouraging him to wait until bedtime is incorrect. Option C is judgmental and inappropriate as all clients deserve prompt attention. Option D should be used as an adjunct to pain medication, not instead of medication, so instructing him in deep breathing exercises alone is not the priority in this situation.
5. Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which client is demonstrating characteristics of self-actualization?
- A. Client is competent and esteemed by others for accomplishing work goals
- B. Client maintains a stable, loving, same-sex partnership for several years
- C. Client learns to sublimate aggressive impulses using physical exercises
- D. Client has an accurate perception of reality and is accepting of self and others
Correct answer: D
Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is the highest level where individuals strive to reach their full potential and achieve personal growth. A self-actualized person, as per Maslow, has an accurate perception of reality and is accepting of themselves and others. This individual is characterized by traits such as fairness, independence, spontaneity, and creativity. While choices A, B, and C represent important aspects of human needs fulfillment, they align more closely with lower levels in Maslow's hierarchy. Choice A refers to meeting self-esteem needs, choice B relates to love and belonging needs, and choice C addresses safety needs, all of which are below self-actualization in the hierarchy of needs.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
NCLEX RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days
- 5,000 Questions with answers
- Comprehensive NCLEX coverage
- 30 days access
NCLEX RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days
- 5,000 Questions with answers
- Comprehensive NCLEX coverage
- 30 days access