Psych Test Bank
Table of Contents
Week 1 Mental Health/Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical
Concepts, Relationship Development and Therapeutic Communication
Mental Health/Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts_______________________2
Relationship Development______________________________________________________12
Therapeutic Communication_____________________________________________________20
The Nursing Process in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing____________________________31
Week 2 Substance Related and Addictive Disorders, Suicide and Depression
Substance Related and Addictive Disorders_________________________________________43
The Suicidal Client____________________________________________________________53
Depressive Disorders__________________________________________________________62
Week 3 Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma and Stress
Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders_______________________________73
Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders___________________________________________83
Week 4 Schizophrenia Spectrum, Bipolar and Other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders______________________________90
Bipolar and Related Disorders__________________________________________________100
Week 6 Crisis Intervention, Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders
Crisis Intervention___________________________________________________________111
Eating Disorders ____________________________________________________________116
Personality Disorders_________________________________________________________123
1
, Psych Test Bank
Week 1
Concepts of Mental Health And Mental Illness, Mental Status,
Nursing Process
Chapter 2. Mental Health/Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts
Multiple Choice
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent death
of a beloved pet. The client’s appetite, sleep patterns, and daily routine have not changed. How should the
nurse interpret the client’s behaviors?
A. The client’s behaviors demonstrate mental illness in the form of depression.
B. The client’s behaviors are extensive, which indicates the presence of mental illness.
C. The client’s behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.
D. The client’s behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness.
ANS: D
The nurse should assess that the client’s daily functioning is not impaired. The client who experiences feelings
of sadness after the loss of a pet is responding within normal expectations. Without significant impairment, the
client’s distress does not indicate a mental illness.
2. At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental disorder?
A. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of the DSM-5 criteria
B. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning
C. When the client communicates significant distress
D. When the client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection
ANS: B
The nurse should determine that the client is at risk for mental disorder when responses to stress are
maladaptive and interfere with daily functioning. The DSM-5 indicates that in order to be diagnosed with a
mental disorder, there must be significant disturbance in cognition, emotion, regulation, or behavior that
reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological or developmental processes underlying mental
functioning. These disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social,
occupational, or other important activities. The client’s ability to communicate distress would be considered a
positive attribute.
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3. A nurse is assessing 15-year-old identical twins who respond very differently to stress. One twin becomes
anxious and irritable, while the other withdraws and cries. How should the nurse explain these different
responses to stress to the parents?
A. Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress vary.
B. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently to similar stressors.
C. Identical twins should share the same temperament and respond similarly to stress.
D. Environmental influences weigh more heavily than genetic influences on reactions to stress.
ANS: A
Responses to stress are variable among individuals and may be influenced by perception, past experience, and
environmental factors in addition to genetic factors.
4. A client has a history of excessive drinking, which has led to multiple arrests for driving under the influence
(DUI). The client states, “I work hard to provide for my family. I don’t see why I can’t drink to relax.” The
nurse recognizes the use of which defense mechanism?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Regression
D. Sublimation
ANS: B
The nurse should recognize that the client is using rationalization, a common defense mechanism. The client is
attempting to make excuses and create logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviors.
5. Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to psychiatric treatment?
A. A Jewish, female journalist
B. A Baptist, homeless male
C. A Catholic, black male
D. A Protestant, Swedish business executive
ANS: A
The nurse should anticipate that the client of Jewish culture would place a high importance on preventative
health care and would consider mental health as equally important as physical health. Women are also more
likely than men to seek treatment for mental health problems.
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, Psych Test Bank
6. A new psychiatric nurse states, “This client’s use of defense mechanisms should be eliminated.” Which is a
correct evaluation of this nurse’s statement?
A. Defense mechanisms can be self-protective responses to stress and need not be eliminated.
B. Defense mechanisms are a maladaptive attempt of the ego to manage anxiety and should always be
eliminated.
C. Defense mechanisms, used by individuals with weak ego integrity, should be discouraged and not
eliminated.
D. Defense mechanisms cause disintegration of the ego and should be fostered and encouraged.
ANS: A
The nurse should know that defense mechanisms serve the purpose of reducing anxiety during times of stress.
A client with no defense mechanisms may have a lower tolerance for stress, predisposing him or her to anxiety
disorders. Defense mechanisms should be confronted when they impede the client from developing healthy
coping skills.
7. During an intake assessment, a nurse asks both physiological and psychosocial questions. The client angrily
responds, “I’m here for my heart, not my head problems.” Which is the nurse’s best response?
A. “It’s just a routine part of our assessment. All clients are asked these same questions.”
B. “Why are you concerned about these types of questions?”
C. “Psychological factors, like excessive stress, have been found to affect medical conditions.”
D. “We can skip these questions, if you like. It isn’t imperative that we complete this section.”
ANS: C
The nurse should attempt to educate the client on the negative effects of excessive stress on medical
conditions. It is not appropriate to skip either physiological or psychosocial questions, as this would lead to an
inaccurate assessment.
8. Which statement reflects a student nurse’s accurate understanding of the concepts of mental health and
mental illness?
A. “The concepts are rigid and religiously based.”
B. “The concepts are multidimensional and culturally defined.”
C. “The concepts are universal and unchanging.”
D. “The concepts are unidimensional and fixed.”
ANS: B
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Table of Contents
Week 1 Mental Health/Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical
Concepts, Relationship Development and Therapeutic Communication
Mental Health/Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts_______________________2
Relationship Development______________________________________________________12
Therapeutic Communication_____________________________________________________20
The Nursing Process in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing____________________________31
Week 2 Substance Related and Addictive Disorders, Suicide and Depression
Substance Related and Addictive Disorders_________________________________________43
The Suicidal Client____________________________________________________________53
Depressive Disorders__________________________________________________________62
Week 3 Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma and Stress
Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders_______________________________73
Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders___________________________________________83
Week 4 Schizophrenia Spectrum, Bipolar and Other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders______________________________90
Bipolar and Related Disorders__________________________________________________100
Week 6 Crisis Intervention, Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders
Crisis Intervention___________________________________________________________111
Eating Disorders ____________________________________________________________116
Personality Disorders_________________________________________________________123
1
, Psych Test Bank
Week 1
Concepts of Mental Health And Mental Illness, Mental Status,
Nursing Process
Chapter 2. Mental Health/Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts
Multiple Choice
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional feelings of sadness because of the recent death
of a beloved pet. The client’s appetite, sleep patterns, and daily routine have not changed. How should the
nurse interpret the client’s behaviors?
A. The client’s behaviors demonstrate mental illness in the form of depression.
B. The client’s behaviors are extensive, which indicates the presence of mental illness.
C. The client’s behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.
D. The client’s behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment, indicating no mental illness.
ANS: D
The nurse should assess that the client’s daily functioning is not impaired. The client who experiences feelings
of sadness after the loss of a pet is responding within normal expectations. Without significant impairment, the
client’s distress does not indicate a mental illness.
2. At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental disorder?
A. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of the DSM-5 criteria
B. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with interference in daily functioning
C. When the client communicates significant distress
D. When the client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection
ANS: B
The nurse should determine that the client is at risk for mental disorder when responses to stress are
maladaptive and interfere with daily functioning. The DSM-5 indicates that in order to be diagnosed with a
mental disorder, there must be significant disturbance in cognition, emotion, regulation, or behavior that
reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological or developmental processes underlying mental
functioning. These disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social,
occupational, or other important activities. The client’s ability to communicate distress would be considered a
positive attribute.
2
, Psych Test Bank
3. A nurse is assessing 15-year-old identical twins who respond very differently to stress. One twin becomes
anxious and irritable, while the other withdraws and cries. How should the nurse explain these different
responses to stress to the parents?
A. Reactions to stress are relative rather than absolute; individual responses to stress vary.
B. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently to similar stressors.
C. Identical twins should share the same temperament and respond similarly to stress.
D. Environmental influences weigh more heavily than genetic influences on reactions to stress.
ANS: A
Responses to stress are variable among individuals and may be influenced by perception, past experience, and
environmental factors in addition to genetic factors.
4. A client has a history of excessive drinking, which has led to multiple arrests for driving under the influence
(DUI). The client states, “I work hard to provide for my family. I don’t see why I can’t drink to relax.” The
nurse recognizes the use of which defense mechanism?
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Regression
D. Sublimation
ANS: B
The nurse should recognize that the client is using rationalization, a common defense mechanism. The client is
attempting to make excuses and create logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviors.
5. Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to psychiatric treatment?
A. A Jewish, female journalist
B. A Baptist, homeless male
C. A Catholic, black male
D. A Protestant, Swedish business executive
ANS: A
The nurse should anticipate that the client of Jewish culture would place a high importance on preventative
health care and would consider mental health as equally important as physical health. Women are also more
likely than men to seek treatment for mental health problems.
3
, Psych Test Bank
6. A new psychiatric nurse states, “This client’s use of defense mechanisms should be eliminated.” Which is a
correct evaluation of this nurse’s statement?
A. Defense mechanisms can be self-protective responses to stress and need not be eliminated.
B. Defense mechanisms are a maladaptive attempt of the ego to manage anxiety and should always be
eliminated.
C. Defense mechanisms, used by individuals with weak ego integrity, should be discouraged and not
eliminated.
D. Defense mechanisms cause disintegration of the ego and should be fostered and encouraged.
ANS: A
The nurse should know that defense mechanisms serve the purpose of reducing anxiety during times of stress.
A client with no defense mechanisms may have a lower tolerance for stress, predisposing him or her to anxiety
disorders. Defense mechanisms should be confronted when they impede the client from developing healthy
coping skills.
7. During an intake assessment, a nurse asks both physiological and psychosocial questions. The client angrily
responds, “I’m here for my heart, not my head problems.” Which is the nurse’s best response?
A. “It’s just a routine part of our assessment. All clients are asked these same questions.”
B. “Why are you concerned about these types of questions?”
C. “Psychological factors, like excessive stress, have been found to affect medical conditions.”
D. “We can skip these questions, if you like. It isn’t imperative that we complete this section.”
ANS: C
The nurse should attempt to educate the client on the negative effects of excessive stress on medical
conditions. It is not appropriate to skip either physiological or psychosocial questions, as this would lead to an
inaccurate assessment.
8. Which statement reflects a student nurse’s accurate understanding of the concepts of mental health and
mental illness?
A. “The concepts are rigid and religiously based.”
B. “The concepts are multidimensional and culturally defined.”
C. “The concepts are universal and unchanging.”
D. “The concepts are unidimensional and fixed.”
ANS: B
4
