Psychosocial Integrity Exam Questions
With Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with major
depressive disorder. Which intervention is most appropriate
initially?
A. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
immediately
B. Establish trust and a therapeutic nurse-client relationship
C. Advise the client to exercise daily to improve mood
D. Provide detailed education about antidepressant medications
Rationale: Establishing trust is the priority before other interventions.
Clients with depression often need a supportive relationship before they
can engage in therapy or education.
2. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “The voices are not real, ignore them.”
B. “I don’t hear any voices, but I understand that you do.”
C. “Why are you hearing voices?”
D. “You should focus on reading a book instead.”
Rationale: The nurse acknowledges the client’s experience without
reinforcing the hallucination, maintaining reality orientation.
, 3. A client is admitted with acute anxiety. Which finding is expected?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Increased heart rate and restlessness
C. Excessive sleepiness
D. Flat affect
Rationale: Acute anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system,
causing tachycardia, restlessness, and heightened alertness.
4. A client verbalizes suicidal thoughts. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assign the client to group therapy
B. Ensure client safety and initiate constant observation
C. Encourage journaling
D. Ask the client to sign a no-suicide contract
Rationale: Safety is the priority; continuous observation reduces
immediate risk of self-harm.
5. Which behavior indicates effective coping after a traumatic event?
A. Isolation from others
B. Substance use
C. Seeking support from family or support groups
D. Denial of the event
Rationale: Healthy coping includes seeking social support and
expressing emotions.
, 6. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder is washing hands
repeatedly. What is the best nursing action?
A. Stop the behavior immediately
B. Set limits while encouraging alternative coping strategies
C. Allow unlimited washing
D. Ignore the behavior
Rationale: Setting limits while offering alternatives supports behavior
modification.
7. A client is experiencing panic attack symptoms. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and speak in short, simple statements
C. Explore childhood trauma
D. Leave the client alone to calm down
Rationale: Staying with the client provides reassurance and reduces fear
during acute panic.
8. Which finding is most associated with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)?
A. Grandiosity
B. Flashbacks of traumatic events
C. Increased appetite
D. Euphoria
, Rationale: PTSD commonly involves re-experiencing trauma through
flashbacks and nightmares.
9. A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. What is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage social interaction
B. Reduce environmental stimulation
C. Provide high-calorie meals in large portions
D. Promote competitive activities
Rationale: Reducing stimulation helps decrease agitation and
overstimulation.
10. A client expresses hopelessness. Which response by the
nurse is best?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
C. “Everything will be fine.”
D. “Why do you feel hopeless?”
Rationale: Open-ended, nonjudgmental communication encourages
expression of feelings.
11. A client with depression refuses to get out of bed. What is
the nurse’s best action?
A. Force the client to attend activities
B. Encourage small, achievable activities
With Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with major
depressive disorder. Which intervention is most appropriate
initially?
A. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
immediately
B. Establish trust and a therapeutic nurse-client relationship
C. Advise the client to exercise daily to improve mood
D. Provide detailed education about antidepressant medications
Rationale: Establishing trust is the priority before other interventions.
Clients with depression often need a supportive relationship before they
can engage in therapy or education.
2. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “The voices are not real, ignore them.”
B. “I don’t hear any voices, but I understand that you do.”
C. “Why are you hearing voices?”
D. “You should focus on reading a book instead.”
Rationale: The nurse acknowledges the client’s experience without
reinforcing the hallucination, maintaining reality orientation.
, 3. A client is admitted with acute anxiety. Which finding is expected?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Increased heart rate and restlessness
C. Excessive sleepiness
D. Flat affect
Rationale: Acute anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system,
causing tachycardia, restlessness, and heightened alertness.
4. A client verbalizes suicidal thoughts. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assign the client to group therapy
B. Ensure client safety and initiate constant observation
C. Encourage journaling
D. Ask the client to sign a no-suicide contract
Rationale: Safety is the priority; continuous observation reduces
immediate risk of self-harm.
5. Which behavior indicates effective coping after a traumatic event?
A. Isolation from others
B. Substance use
C. Seeking support from family or support groups
D. Denial of the event
Rationale: Healthy coping includes seeking social support and
expressing emotions.
, 6. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder is washing hands
repeatedly. What is the best nursing action?
A. Stop the behavior immediately
B. Set limits while encouraging alternative coping strategies
C. Allow unlimited washing
D. Ignore the behavior
Rationale: Setting limits while offering alternatives supports behavior
modification.
7. A client is experiencing panic attack symptoms. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and speak in short, simple statements
C. Explore childhood trauma
D. Leave the client alone to calm down
Rationale: Staying with the client provides reassurance and reduces fear
during acute panic.
8. Which finding is most associated with post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)?
A. Grandiosity
B. Flashbacks of traumatic events
C. Increased appetite
D. Euphoria
, Rationale: PTSD commonly involves re-experiencing trauma through
flashbacks and nightmares.
9. A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. What is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage social interaction
B. Reduce environmental stimulation
C. Provide high-calorie meals in large portions
D. Promote competitive activities
Rationale: Reducing stimulation helps decrease agitation and
overstimulation.
10. A client expresses hopelessness. Which response by the
nurse is best?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
C. “Everything will be fine.”
D. “Why do you feel hopeless?”
Rationale: Open-ended, nonjudgmental communication encourages
expression of feelings.
11. A client with depression refuses to get out of bed. What is
the nurse’s best action?
A. Force the client to attend activities
B. Encourage small, achievable activities
