HESI RN
Mental Health HESI
1. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is undergoing behavioral therapy. Which outcome should the nurse recognize as an indication that the client is responding positively to therapy?
- A. The client reports increased frequency of obsessive thoughts.
- B. The client demonstrates a decrease in compulsive behaviors.
- C. The client expresses a desire to leave therapy early.
- D. The client avoids participating in exposure tasks.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A decrease in compulsive behaviors is a positive response to behavioral therapy for OCD. Behavioral therapy aims to reduce these behaviors and promote healthier coping mechanisms. Option A, reporting an increased frequency of obsessive thoughts, would indicate a lack of improvement or worsening of symptoms. Option C, expressing a desire to leave therapy early, suggests resistance or dissatisfaction with therapy. Option D, avoiding participation in exposure tasks, goes against the principles of exposure therapy, which is commonly used in OCD treatment to help clients confront their fears and reduce anxiety.
2. James is a 42-year-old patient with schizophrenia. He approaches you as you arrive for day shift and anxiously reports, 'Last night, demons came to my room and tried to rape me.' Which response would be most therapeutic?
- A. There are no such things as demons. What you saw were hallucinations.
- B. It is not possible for anyone to enter your room at night. You are safe here.
- C. You seem very upset. Please tell me more about what you experienced last night.
- D. That must have been very frightening, but we will check on you at night and you will be safe.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the most therapeutic response as it acknowledges the patient's feelings and encourages further exploration of their experience. By expressing empathy and inviting James to share more about what he experienced, it helps build trust and rapport. Choices A and B dismiss the patient's experience and can make them feel invalidated, which is not helpful in establishing a therapeutic relationship. Choice D acknowledges the fear but does not actively engage the patient in discussing their feelings and experiences, missing an opportunity for therapeutic communication.
3. A teenager who has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair loss. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client plan of care?
- A. Implement behavior modification therapy.
- B. Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
- C. Evaluate the client for low self-esteem.
- D. Record daily weights and graph trends.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Initiating caloric and nutritional therapy is the most important intervention for this client due to the significant weight loss and presenting symptoms of hypotension, tachycardia, irregular menses, and hair loss. This intervention aims to address the physical effects of malnutrition and support the client's overall health. Behavior modification therapy (Choice A) may be beneficial in the long term to address underlying issues, but addressing the immediate nutritional needs is a priority. Evaluating the client for low self-esteem (Choice C) is important for holistic care but addressing the physical health concerns takes precedence. Recording daily weights and graphing trends (Choice D) is essential for monitoring progress but does not address the urgent need for nutritional support in this acute situation.
4. A client is being educated by a nurse about strategies for a safety plan for intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan? (Select all that apply)
- A. Have a bag ready that contains extra clothes for self and children.
- B. Establish a code with family and friends to signal violence.
- C. Purchase a gun for protection.
- D. Attend a self-defense course focused on self-protection.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct strategies for a safety plan for a victim of intimate partner violence include having a bag ready with essentials for self and children and establishing a code with family and friends to signal danger. These strategies can help the client prepare for emergencies and seek help discreetly. Purchasing a gun (Choice C) is not a safe or recommended strategy as it can escalate violence and pose more significant risks. Additionally, taking a self-defense course focused on self-protection (Choice D) is important for self-defense, but it should not involve retaliatory actions against the abuser with the intent to cause harm.
5. When developing a plan of care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit following aspiration of a caustic material related to a suicide attempt, which nursing problem has the highest priority?
- A. Impaired comfort.
- B. Risk for injury.
- C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
- D. Ineffective coping.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ineffective breathing pattern is the highest priority nursing problem in this scenario because aspiration of a caustic material can lead to serious airway and respiratory issues. This poses an immediate threat to the client's life and requires urgent intervention to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. The other options, such as Impaired comfort, Risk for injury, and Ineffective coping, are important but are secondary concerns compared to the critical nature of respiratory compromise in this situation.
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