Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Flashcards
6 cards from real BSN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing flashcards as text
The nurse is preparing to use physical restraints on an agitated patient. Which action is most important before applying the restraints?
Answer: Obtain a provider order and attempt less restrictive alternatives first
Restraints are a last resort; a provider order is required, and less restrictive alternatives such as de-escalation and reorientation must be attempted first.
A patient in seclusion begins to bang their head against the wall. What is the nurse's immediate response?
Answer: Enter the room with sufficient staff to ensure patient safety and prevent self-injury
The nurse must enter the seclusion room with adequate staff to protect the patient from self-harm, which is the priority in seclusion monitoring.
A nurse suspects a colleague is diverting controlled substances. What is the nurse's most appropriate first action?
Answer: Report the suspicion to the nurse manager or appropriate supervisor
Reporting suspected diversion to the supervisor is the mandatory first step, as the institution must investigate to protect patients and the colleague.
A patient with schizophrenia is receiving clozapine (Clozaril). Which potentially life-threatening adverse effect requires regular monitoring with a complete blood count?
Answer: Agranulocytosis
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis (severe reduction in white blood cells), making regular CBC monitoring mandatory per the Clozapine REMS program.
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends 3 hours each morning washing their hands. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
Answer: Allow the ritual while gradually working with the treatment team to set limits over time
Abruptly preventing rituals causes severe anxiety; the goal is gradual reduction through exposure and response prevention therapy in collaboration with the team.
A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. Which component assesses whether the patient can abstract the meaning of the proverb 'A rolling stone gathers no moss'?
Answer: Thought processes and abstract reasoning
Interpreting proverbs tests abstract reasoning; an inability to go beyond the literal meaning may indicate cognitive impairment or psychosis.