Mental Health 231

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Sample questions from Mental Health 231

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.During a school-based counseling visit, a 9-year-old says, "I get so nervous before tests that my stomach hurts." Which response best encourages the child to share more?

   • A.You do not need to worry; everyone feels nervous sometimes.
   • B.You should take three deep breaths before every test.
   • C.Are you studying enough for your tests?
   • D.Tell me what you notice in your body when you start feeling nervous.

   Rationale: Asking what the child notices invites description of the experience without judgment and supports further assessment. Reassuring the child that there is no need to worry may minimize the concern, while asking about studying shifts focus to performance rather than feelings. Giving breathing advice too soon moves to problem-solving before the nurse understands the child's experience.

2. 2.A client states, "My family would be better off without me." Which response should the nurse make first?

   • A.You should call your family and tell them how you feel.
   • B.You have a lot to live for, so try not to think that way.
   • C.Are you thinking about killing yourself?
   • D.What makes you believe your family feels that way?

   Rationale: Asking directly about suicide clarifies immediate risk and does not increase the likelihood of suicidal behavior. Reassurance can dismiss the client's distress, and asking the client to justify the statement may feel challenging rather than supportive. Advising the client to call family skips assessment of intent, plan, and immediate safety needs.

3. 3.Refer to the client's chart. Which responses by the nurse are therapeutic when the client says, "The voices are telling me I am worthless"? Select all that apply.

   • A.Why do you keep listening to the voices?
   • B.I will stay with you while we talk about ways to feel safer.
   • C.What are the voices saying right now, and are they telling you to hurt yourself or anyone else?
   • D.I do not hear the voices, but I can see that they are frightening you.
   • E.The voices are not real, so you can ignore them.

   Rationale: Acknowledging that the voices are frightening validates the client's feelings without affirming the hallucination as real. Asking what the voices are saying and whether they direct harm assesses immediate safety, while offering to stay conveys support. Telling the client the voices are not real is dismissive, and asking why the client listens can sound blaming.

4. 4.In a community clinic, a pregnant client says, "I am scared I will not be a good parent." Which response is most therapeutic?

   • A.What concerns you most when you think about becoming a parent?
   • B.Most people worry about parenting, so you should not let it bother you.
   • C.You will feel differently once the baby arrives.
   • D.Have you considered taking a parenting class?

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.At change of shift, a client with depression says, "Nothing I do matters." Which response uses reflection to encourage exploration?

   • A.Why do you think your life does not matter?
   • B.You feel that your efforts do not make a difference.
   • C.That is not true; you have made progress.
   • D.You should set a small goal for today.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.