The charge nurse of the psychiatric unit observes clients in the day area. Which client is exhibiting symptoms of a conversion disorder?

While assessing a client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia who wears dentures, the nurse observes that the client’s tongue is “worming”. The client also demonstrates an inability to articulate words clearly. Which additional assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

During a one-to-one session with the nurse, a female client admitted for chronic depression and attempted suicide discloses experiences of sexual promiscuity and prostitution. When the nurse asks the client if she was ever sexually abused as a child, the client says, “I don’t remember, but my mother ran my father off when I was five.” The nurse should recognize that the client may be using which defense mechanism?

A male client tells the nurse that he has an IQ of 400+ and is a genius and an inventor. He also reports that he is married to a female movie star and thinks that his brother wants a sexual relationship with her. Which is the priority nursing problem for admission to the psychiatric unit?

A female client with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is admitted to the hospital for a cardiac catheterization. The afternoon before the procedure, the client begins to keep detailed notes of the nursing care she is receiving, and reports her findings to the nurse at bedtime. What action should the nurse implement?

A male client arrives at the mental health clinic and asks the nurse for more lithium and the antidepressant amitriptyline that he uses to help him sleep. After reviewing the assessment findings with the healthcare provider, a serum creatinine is obtained. Which information supports the reason for this laboratory test?

During a high school substance abuse class, a student tells the group, “I know that marijuana is not addicting, so why shouldn’t I use it? Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

An adult client presents to the community mental health center accompanied by the client’s spouse who reports that the client has been acting impulsively. The client has spent a large amount of money lately, made several last-minute decisions to take trips, sleeps only 2 to 4 hours a night, and has lost 33 pounds (15 kg) in the last 2 months. Which nursing problem has the greatest nursing priority?

An adolescent male who was arrested a month ago for gang-related activities has a court order to attend weekly group therapy sessions at the mental health clinic. Today his mother calls the clinic nurse to report that her son became angry last night and put his fist through a window. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

When a male client is asked about his reason for coming to the mental health clinic, he replies, “It all started because I work in a hostile work environment. My boss would not let me go to a religious service, so I went to human resources, and they didn’t want to do anything. It has been a really difficult time for me.” Which response should the nurse provide?

An adolescent female with an eating disorder is admitted to the in-patient psychiatric unit. Which intervention should the nurse implement?