The nurse is caring for a patient whose son recently died. The patient is unable to recall the circumstances of her son's death. This woman employs which of the following defense mechanisms?

A 40-year-old patient has a long history of job-hopping and conflicts with work superiors. They tell the nurse that "it is hard to please people" and that "things would be better if people were not critical of me." Based on what they tell the nurse, why is the patient representative of patients with a personality disorder?

A manic patient has been taking lithium for 9 months. When the patient's serum laboratory results are complete, the nurse should compare the patient's lithium levels to what therapeutic range?

In which stage of separation anxiety does a child act sad and apathetic?

A patient on a medical-surgical floor is experiencing delirium tremens. Which of the following medications can the nurse expect to be ordered for the management of this acute episode?

A patient is prescribed sertraline for the treatment of depression. Which of the following common side effects of sertraline should the nurse include in the patient's education?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. The patient has a history of fighting, cruelty to animals, and stealing. Which of the following traits would the nurse be most likely to uncover?

A client is seen in the clinic for a substance abuse treatment follow-up. When evaluating the client's progress, the nurse recognizes which of the following as the best indicator of a lack of commitment to recovery?

Which of the following tasks should the psychiatric nurse not assign to a nursing assistant?

The nurse is caring for a patient with an elevator phobia. The patient experiences shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, and trembling while in an elevator. Which of the following is most likely to reduce the patient's anxiety level?

The nurse is assessing a 15-year-old girl who has been admitted for bulimia nervosa. Which clinical manifestation is the nurse most likely to find?

Over the first several weeks of psychotherapy, a patient with a somatic symptom disorder has several conferences with the psychiatrist. She becomes increasingly anxious and her physical symptoms intensify. Which of the following explains the patient's symptoms?

A nurse is working in the endoscopy lab. The nurse is preparing IV medications for the next patient scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse has prepared midazolam and fentanyl for IV administration during the procedure. The nurse should be alert for which potential side effects when administering midazolam? 

A male patient in the psychiatric unit experiencing a state of mania is walking the halls completely naked. How should the nurse respond initially?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a history of malingering. The nurse understands that malingering differs from somatic symptom disorders in that the former

When a patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit, they proclaim, "I am the Duke of York! How dare you touch me!" This is an example of

A 45-year-old woman is referred to the clinic due to bizarre social interactions and inappropriate anger. When the patient called to schedule her appointment with the nurse, she sounded very energetic and jumped from topic to topic. Upon assessment, which of the following signs and symptoms suggest mania?

A patient receiving ziprasidone for schizophrenia has Parkinson's-like symptoms. To decrease the Parkinson's-like side effects, the nurse should advocate for which of the following medications?

Which of the following therapy techniques attempts to change a patient’s thought processes and behaviors through problem-solving and conscious evaluation of beliefs about the self?

A patient is admitted to the psychiatric unit after a suicide attempt. The nurse plans to write a suicide prevention contract. To promote compliance and build a trusting relationship with the patient, the contract should