NCLEX-RN
Psychosocial Integrity NCLEX Questions
1. Which parental statement would the nurse recognize as the appropriate application of time-out when disciplining a 4-year-old?
- A. I send my child to their bedroom for misbehaving.
- B. We limit time-out to 4 minutes per incident.
- C. Putting my child in a dark closet for time-out is very effective.
- D. I explain the reason for the time-out before and after disciplining my child.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to explain the reason for the time-out before and after disciplining the child. This approach reinforces the child's association of the time-out with the undesirable behavior, helping the child learn to control those behaviors. Sending a child to their bedroom may lead to negative associations with bedtime or be ineffective if the child enjoys spending time in their bedroom. Time-out should ideally be limited to 1 minute per year of age, so a time-out for a 4-year-old should be limited to 4 minutes. Placing a child in a dark closet can create fear and damage the child's trust in their parents as a source of safety, making it an inappropriate and harmful approach. Even if this method seems effective in the short term, the potential long-term consequences outweigh any immediate benefits.
2. An older adult who recently began self-administration of insulin calls the nurse daily to review the steps that should be taken when giving an injection. The nurse has assessed the client's skills during two previous office visits and knows that the client is capable of giving the daily injection. Which response by the nurse is likely to be most helpful in encouraging the client to assume total responsibility for the daily injections?
- A. "I know you are capable of giving yourself the insulin."
- B. "Giving yourself the injection seems to make you nervous."
- C. "When I watched you give yourself the injection, you did it correctly."
- D. "Tell me what you want me to do to help you give yourself the injection at home."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The most appropriate response by the nurse in this scenario is option C. By acknowledging and affirming the client's demonstrated ability to self-administer the injection correctly, the nurse is providing positive reinforcement. This positive reinforcement helps to build the client's confidence and encourages them to take total responsibility for their daily injections. Option A, while positive, does not specifically reinforce the client's behavior related to giving the injection. Option B focuses on the client's feelings of nervousness, which may not be helpful in promoting independence. Option D, by offering help without assessing the client's actual needs, reinforces dependence on the nurse rather than encouraging self-reliance.
3. A client who has been on hemodialysis for 2 years communicates in an angry, critical manner and does not adhere to the prescribed medications and diet. Which explanation for the client's behavior would be useful to consider in planning care?
- A. An attempt to punish the nursing staff
- B. A constructive method of accepting reality
- C. A defense against underlying depression and fear
- D. An effort to maintain life and to live it as fully as possible
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The client's angry, critical communication and non-adherence to treatment suggest underlying emotional struggles. The behavior is likely a defense mechanism against feelings of depression and fear. It is essential to consider that the client's actions are not intentionally aimed at punishing others but rather a manifestation of internal distress. Option A is incorrect as the behavior is not about punishing the nursing staff. Option B is incorrect because the behavior is not a constructive way of accepting reality but rather a maladaptive coping mechanism. Option D is incorrect as the behavior is not primarily driven by an effort to maintain life but rather by emotional distress.
4. Which of the following is an example of neurofeedback used with a child diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD)?
- A. A child's brain waves are monitored through electrodes placed on the scalp
- B. Parents give their child a sticker when he behaves appropriately
- C. A child uses a sand tray to draw shapes and release stress while talking with a nurse
- D. Parents or a nurse hold a child close during play until he becomes angry enough to unleash his rage
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Neurofeedback is a form of treatment that may be used for children diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Neurofeedback involves attaching electrodes to the scalp in a method similar to an EEG. The child's brainwaves are then monitored while being exposed to positive images or games to produce positive brain patterns. Choice A is the correct answer as it describes the process of neurofeedback, which is a common therapeutic approach for managing RAD. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly involve monitoring brain waves through electrodes to provide feedback for brain pattern adjustments, which is the core concept of neurofeedback therapy.
5. According to psychodynamic theory, what purpose do delusions serve?
- A. Delusions are a defense against anxiety caused by real or imagined threats.
- B. Magical thinking is a delusion that ensures desirable outcomes.
- C. Delusions are a method of dealing with and interpreting external stimuli.
- D. Subconsciously, delusions are a way to safely express anger and hostility.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: According to psychodynamic theory, delusions serve as a defense mechanism against anxiety triggered by real or perceived threats. Delusions are the individual's unconscious way of protecting themselves from overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Magical thinking, on the other hand, involves believing that one's thoughts can influence external events. This is not the same as delusions. Delusions are not a way of interpreting external stimuli but rather a defense mechanism. Expressing anger and hostility is typically associated with defense mechanisms like displacement or projection, not delusions.
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