Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse in a mental health clinic is attempting to develop a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which of the following should be the appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Set limits for the relationship.
Setting limits for the therapeutic relationship (Choice A) is an essential nursing action. Boundaries help create a safe and structured environment, ensuring that both the nurse and client maintain appropriate roles. Limits prevent overstepping boundaries that could compromise the therapeutic alliance. Setting limits for the relationship is an essential part of establishing a therapeutic relationship in a mental health setting. This helps to maintain professional boundaries and ensures that the relationship remains focused on the client’s needs and therapeutic goals.
B. Engage in affectionate interactions with the client.
Engaging in affectionate interactions with the client (Choice B) is not appropriate in a therapeutic relationship. Professionalism and maintaining appropriate boundaries are crucial in psychiatric nursing. Affectionate interactions could blur the lines between the therapeutic relationship and personal relationships, potentially harming the client's progress.
C. Promote the use of transference by the client.
Promoting the use of transference by the client (Choice C) is not a suitable approach. Transference occurs when a client projects feelings and emotions onto the nurse based on past experiences. While it can be valuable to explore transference, actively promoting it could lead to confusion and misunderstandings in the therapeutic relationship.
D. Instruct the client on how he should behave.
Instructing the client on how they should behave (Choice D) is contrary to the principles of a therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship is client-centered, where the nurse supports the client's self-discovery and growth. Directing the client's behavior undermines their autonomy and inhibits their progress.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Custom NSG 133 Mental Health Final Proctored Exam Summer (2023). Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice A: Set limits for the relationship.
Choice A rationale:
Setting limits for the therapeutic relationship (Choice A) is an essential nursing action. Boundaries help create a safe and structured environment, ensuring that both the nurse and client maintain appropriate roles. Limits prevent overstepping boundaries that could compromise the therapeutic alliance. Setting limits for the relationship is an essential part of establishing a therapeutic relationship in a mental health setting. This helps to maintain professional boundaries and ensures that the relationship remains focused on the client’s needs and therapeutic goals.
Choice B rationale:
Engaging in affectionate interactions with the client (Choice B) is not appropriate in a therapeutic relationship. Professionalism and maintaining appropriate boundaries are crucial in psychiatric nursing. Affectionate interactions could blur the lines between the therapeutic relationship and personal relationships, potentially harming the client's progress.
Choice C rationale:
Promoting the use of transference by the client (Choice C) is not a suitable approach. Transference occurs when a client projects feelings and emotions onto the nurse based on past experiences. While it can be valuable to explore transference, actively promoting it could lead to confusion and misunderstandings in the therapeutic relationship.
Choice D rationale:
Instructing the client on how they should behave (Choice D) is contrary to the principles of a therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship is client-centered, where the nurse supports the client's self-discovery and growth. Directing the client's behavior undermines their autonomy and inhibits their progress.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing the history and physical of an adolescent client diagnosed with conduct disorder. The nurse recognizes that which of the following is an expected assessment finding of conduct disorder?
A. Death of client's father two months ago.
The client's father's recent death (Choice A) is not a typical expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. While emotional disturbances can be associated with conduct disorder, the primary characteristics involve behavioral issues rather than reactions to significant life events.
B. Adheres strictly to routines.
Adhering strictly to routines (Choice B) is not a common expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is characterized by patterns of defiant and disruptive behaviors, not necessarily a rigid adherence to routines.
C. Suspended from school several times in the past year.
Suspended from school several times in the past year (Choice C) aligns with the expected assessment findings of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder often involves aggressive behavior towards others, violation of rules, and disregard for the rights of others, which can lead to disciplinary actions such as school suspensions.
D. Experiences frequent facial tics.
Experiencing frequent facial tics (Choice D) is not a typical expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. Facial tics are associated with conditions like Tourette's syndrome or other tic disorders, not conduct disorder.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Suspended from school several times in the past year.
Choice A rationale:
The client's father's recent death (Choice A) is not a typical expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. While emotional disturbances can be associated with conduct disorder, the primary characteristics involve behavioral issues rather than reactions to significant life events.
Choice B rationale:
Adhering strictly to routines (Choice B) is not a common expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is characterized by patterns of defiant and disruptive behaviors, not necessarily a rigid adherence to routines.
Choice C rationale:
Suspended from school several times in the past year (Choice C) aligns with the expected assessment findings of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder often involves aggressive behavior towards others, violation of rules, and disregard for the rights of others, which can lead to disciplinary actions such as school suspensions.
Choice D rationale:
Experiencing frequent facial tics (Choice D) is not a typical expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. Facial tics are associated with conditions like Tourette's syndrome or other tic disorders, not conduct disorder.
A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. The client received a telephone call that was upsetting, and now the client is pacing up and down the hallways of the unit. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to sit down and stop pacing.
Instructing the client to sit down and stop pacing (Choice A) might come across as authoritarian and dismissive of the client's anxiety. It's important to provide a more supportive and empathetic approach.
B. Have a staff member escort the client to her room.
Having a staff member escort the client to her room (Choice B) might further escalate the client's anxiety. The client may interpret this action as a form of containment or punishment.
C. Walk with the client at a gradually slower pace.
Walk with the client at a gradually slower pace (Choice C) is the most appropriate action. This approach acknowledges the client's anxiety and provides a calming presence. Gradually slowing down can help the client naturally transition from pacing to a calmer state.
D. Allow the client to pace alone until physically tired.
Allowing the client to pace alone until physically tired (Choice D) might prolong the episode of anxiety. Providing support and engagement is essential in managing the client's distress effectively.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Walk with the client at a gradually slower pace.
Choice A rationale:
Instructing the client to sit down and stop pacing (Choice A) might come across as authoritarian and dismissive of the client's anxiety. It's important to provide a more supportive and empathetic approach.
Choice B rationale:
Having a staff member escort the client to her room (Choice B) might further escalate the client's anxiety. The client may interpret this action as a form of containment or punishment.
Choice C rationale:
Walk with the client at a gradually slower pace (Choice C) is the most appropriate action. This approach acknowledges the client's anxiety and provides a calming presence. Gradually slowing down can help the client naturally transition from pacing to a calmer state.
Choice D rationale:
Allowing the client to pace alone until physically tired (Choice D) might prolong the episode of anxiety. Providing support and engagement is essential in managing the client's distress effectively.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client diagnosed with a cerebrovascular accident and has right-sided paralysis and aphasia. The client's son tells the nurse it is his fault because he did not insist that his mother live with him. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "You are not responsible for your mother's stroke, but many people in your situation feel this way.”
This response attempts to reassure the son but may come off as dismissive of his feelings. It does not encourage further discussion or exploration of his emotions.
B. "Your mother will be fine. You shouldn't worry so much.”
This response questions the son’s feelings directly, which might make him defensive. It does not validate his emotions or encourage him to talk more about his feelings.
C. "Why do you blame yourself? You could not have prevented the stroke.”
Asking why he blames himself and stating he could not have prevented the stroke (Choice C) may come across as confrontational and dismissive of his feelings. It's important to provide support and understanding rather than challenging his emotions.
D. "So, it seems that you feel responsible for what happened to your mother.”
This response acknowledges the son’s feelings and encourages him to express his emotions. It is a therapeutic communication technique that helps the son feel heard and understood, which is crucial in providing emotional support.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice d. "So, it seems that you feel responsible for what happened to your mother.”
Choice A rationale: This response attempts to reassure the son but may come off as dismissive of his feelings. It does not encourage further discussion or exploration of his emotions.
Choice B rationale: This response is overly reassuring and dismisses the son’s feelings of guilt. It does not address his emotional state or encourage him to express his concerns.
Choice C rationale: This response questions the son’s feelings directly, which might make him defensive. It does not validate his emotions or encourage him to talk more about his feelings.
Choice D rationale: This response acknowledges the son’s feelings and encourages him to express his emotions. It is a therapeutic communication technique that helps the son feel heard and understood, which is crucial in providing emotional support.