Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is developing a behavioral contract with a client who has antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following client goals should the nurse include in the contract?
A. Use bargaining skills for behavioral consequences.
B. Increase self-esteem.
C. Decrease the number of verbal outbursts.
A behavioral contract is a written agreement between the client and the nurse that specifies the desired and undesired behaviors and the rewards and penalties for each. A client who has antisocial personality disorder may exhibit impulsive, aggressive, and manipulative behaviors that disrupt the therapeutic milieu and interfere with treatment goals. Decreasing the number of verbal outbursts is a measurable and realistic goal that can improve the client's interpersonal skills and reduce conflict.
D. Use projection during group therapy.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Mental Health 2019 With NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A behavioral contract is a written agreement between the client and the nurse that specifies the desired and undesired behaviors and the rewards and penalties for each. A client who has antisocial personality disorder may exhibit impulsive, aggressive, and manipulative behaviors that disrupt the therapeutic milieu and interfere with treatment goals. Decreasing the number of verbal outbursts is a measurable and realistic goal that can improve the client's interpersonal skills and reduce conflict.
Similar Questions
A charge nurse is making room assignments for new client admissions. Which of the following clients should the nurse place closest to the nurse's station?
A. A client who has schizotypal personality disorder
B. A client who has a history of alcohol use disorder
C. A client who has moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease
A client who has moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience confusion, memory loss, wandering, agitation, and impaired judgment. Placing this client closest to the nurse's station can facilitate close observation and intervention, as well as reduce environmental stimuli that may trigger anxiety or disorientation.
D. A client who has a history of dependent personality disorder
Full Explanation
A client who has moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience confusion, memory loss, wandering, agitation, and impaired judgment. Placing this client closest to the nurse's station can facilitate close observation and intervention, as well as reduce environmental stimuli that may trigger anxiety or disorientation.
A nurse is caring for a client who has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis from his provider. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Change the subject when the client becomes upset.
Changing the subject when the client becomes upset may prevent the client from expressing their feelings and could hinder their emotional processing. This is not a recommended approach as it may lead to unresolved grief and emotional distress.
B. Allow the client unlimited time for the grieving process.
Allowing the client unlimited time for the grieving process aligns with the principles of palliative care, which focuses on enhancing a patient's quality of life and providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. It's important to give the client the time and space they need to process their emotions.
C. Discourage the client from forming new relationships.
Discouraging the client from forming new relationships could lead to social isolation and negatively impact their emotional well-being. It's important for the client to have a support system during this difficult time.
D. Offer the client advice about various treatment choices.
Offering advice about various treatment choices is not the nurse's role. The nurse should provide information and support, but the decision-making should be patient-centered. It's important to respect the client's autonomy and decisions regarding their care.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is B. Allow the client unlimited time for the grieving process.
Choice A reason:
Changing the subject when the client becomes upset may prevent the client from expressing their feelings and could hinder their emotional processing. This is not a recommended approach as it may lead to unresolved grief and emotional distress.
Choice B reason:
Allowing the client unlimited time for the grieving process aligns with the principles of palliative care, which focuses on enhancing a patient's quality of life and providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. It's important to give the client the time and space they need to process their emotions.
Choice C reason:
Discouraging the client from forming new relationships could lead to social isolation and negatively impact their emotional well-being. It's important for the client to have a support system during this difficult time.
Choice D reason:
Offering advice about various treatment choices is not the nurse's role. The nurse should provide information and support, but the decision-making should be patient-centered. It's important to respect the client's autonomy and decisions regarding their care.
A nurse is assessing a client who recently experienced the loss of their partner. Which of the following questions is the priority for the nurse to ask during this situational crisis?
A. "Who do you talk to when you need help?"
B. "Are you having thoughts about harming yourself?"
The priority for the nurse is to assess the client's safety and risk of self-harm or suicide, which may increase during a situational crisis. The other questions are also important to explore, but they are not as urgent as assessing for suicidal ideation or intent.
C. "What do you usually do to cope with problems in your life?"
D. "How do you think this event is affecting your life right now?"
Full Explanation
The priority for the nurse is to assess the client's safety and risk of self-harm or suicide, which may increase during a situational crisis. The other questions are also important to explore, but they are not as urgent as assessing for suicidal ideation or intent.