Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The goals of therapeutic communication are to:
A. Focus on the staff member and to build rapport
this is incorrect since it implies that the needs of the staff member are to be given the primary focus rather than the client’s needs.
B. Focus on the attitude of the client
this is inaccurate since it suggests that the staff member is evaluating or criticizing the client's attitude. This can make the client become defensive and resistant during their management process.
C. Focus on the client and to build a rapport
the client is the primary focus in a therapeutic relationship hence in therapeutic communication, the staff member should be empathetic and non-judgmental to the client. They should build a rapport with the client by exercising effective communication skills such as using open-ended questions, active listening, and providing feedback to facilitate the client's expression of feelings and needs.
D. Foster a social relationship
this statement is incorrect as it suggests that the staff member is trying to foster a personal and casual relationship with the client which can compromise their professional role in patient management.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI ns 130 Exam Psychosocial Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: this is incorrect since it implies that the needs of the staff member are to be given the primary focus rather than the client’s needs.
Choice B rationale: this is inaccurate since it suggests that the staff member is evaluating or criticizing the client's attitude. This can make the client become defensive and resistant during their management process.
Choice C rationale: the client is the primary focus in a therapeutic relationship hence in therapeutic communication, the staff member should be empathetic and non-judgmental to the client. They should build a rapport with the client by exercising effective communication skills such as using open-ended questions, active listening, and providing feedback to facilitate the client's expression of feelings and needs.
Choice D rationale: this statement is incorrect as it suggests that the staff member is trying to foster a personal and casual relationship with the client which can compromise their professional role in patient management.
Similar Questions
Ativan 1mg IM is ordered. Ativan is available in 2mg/mL. How many mls will you administer?
Full Explanation
Dosage of the medication = the desired dose/dose at hand X the amount to be administered
= 1mg/2mg x 1 ml
= 0.5 ml
A client has borderline personality disorder. Which Axis will the nurse document this information?
A. Axis 1
Axis 1 is used to document clinical disorders that are the primary focus of management such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder among others.
B. Axis 3
Axis 3 is used in the documentation of conditions, for instance, asthma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus among others which are known to have effects on an individual’s mental health.
C. Axis 4
Axis 4 is used in the documentation of environmental and psychosocial issues contributing to a patient’s stress such as financial and family stressors.
D. AXIS 2
this is accurate since Axis 2 is used in the documentation of conditions affecting a client’s functioning such as personality disorders and mental retardation.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: Axis 1 is used to document clinical disorders that are the primary focus of management such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder among others.
Choice B rationale: Axis 3 is used in the documentation of conditions, for instance, asthma, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus among others which are known to have effects on an individual’s mental health.
Choice C rationale: Axis 4 is used in the documentation of environmental and psychosocial issues contributing to a patient’s stress such as financial and family stressors.
Choice D rationale: this is accurate since Axis 2 is used in the documentation of conditions affecting a client’s functioning such as personality disorders and mental retardation.

To prevent the occurrence of Lithium (Eskalith) toxicity, the nurse should teach the client to maintain adequate intake of
A. Chloride and sodium
Both sodium and chloride are important for fluid balance but chloride has no effect on the blood lithium levels.
B. Water and vitamins
sodium has an effect on the blood lithium levels by competing with lithium for reabsorption in the kidneys but vitamins do not influence the lithium levels in blood.
C. Sodium and water
dehydration increases the risk of lithium toxicity since it will result in oliguria hence increasing the risk of lithium toxicity since the drug is primarily excreted in urine. Sodium and lithium compete for reabsorption in the kidneys, so low sodium levels can increase lithium retention and lead to toxicity. Therefore, the client should maintain an adequate intake of sodium and water to prevent dehydration and sodium loss and to keep the lithium level within the therapeutic range.
D. Potassium and water
water has an influence on blood lithium levels since adequate intake minimizes the risk of toxicity by increasing the drug’s excretion in urine. However, potassium does not compete with lithium for reabsorption.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: Both sodium and chloride are important for fluid balance but chloride has no effect on the blood lithium levels.
Choice B rationale: sodium has an effect on the blood lithium levels by competing with lithium for reabsorption in the kidneys but vitamins do not influence the lithium levels in blood.
Choice C rationale: dehydration increases the risk of lithium toxicity since it will result in oliguria hence increasing the risk of lithium toxicity since the drug is primarily excreted in urine. Sodium and lithium compete for reabsorption in the kidneys, so low sodium levels can increase lithium retention and lead to toxicity. Therefore, the client should maintain an adequate intake of sodium and water to prevent dehydration and sodium loss and to keep the lithium level within the therapeutic range.
Choice D rationale: water has an influence on blood lithium levels since adequate intake minimizes the risk of toxicity by increasing the drug’s excretion in urine.
However, potassium does not compete with lithium for reabsorption.