KAPLAN AND SADOCK'S
SYNOPSIS OF PSYCHIATRY
EDITION 12 TEST BANK ACTUAL
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
1. A patient with depression mentions, "My mother says depression is
a chemical disorder." The nurse's response is based on the theory
that depression primarily involves which neurotransmitters?
o A. Cortisol and GABA
o B. COMT and glutamate
o C. Monamine and glycine
o D. Serotonin and norepinephrine
o ,,,answer,,,: D. One possible cause of depression involves the
neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional
sadness after the death of a pet. The client’s appetite, sleep, and
routine have not changed. How should the nurse interpret this?
o A. The behaviors demonstrate mental illness.
o B. The behaviors are extensive, indicating mental illness.
o C. The behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.
o D. The behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment,
indicating no mental illness.
o ,,,answer,,,: D. The absence of functional impairment
suggests these behaviors are not indicative of mental illness.
,3. At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for
developing a mental illness?
o A. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of
the DSM-5 criteria.
o B. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with
interference in daily functioning.
o C. When a client communicates significant distress.
o D. When a client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection.
o ,,,answer,,,: B. The combination of maladaptive stress
responses and functional impairment indicates a risk for
mental illness.
4. A nurse is assessing 15-year-old identical twins who respond very
differently to stress. How should the nurse explain this to the
parents?
o A. Reactions to stress are relative; individual responses vary.
o B. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently.
o C. Identical twins should share the same temperament.
o D. Environmental influences on stress outweigh genetic
influences.
o ,,,answer,,,: A. Individual responses to stress are relative and
can vary, even among identical twins.
5. Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to
psychiatric treatment?
o A. A Jewish, female social worker
o B. A Baptist, homeless male
o C. A Catholic, Black male
o D. A Protestant, Swedish business executive
o ,,,answer,,,: A. Clients who share similar values, beliefs, and
language with their healthcare provider are often more
receptive to treatment.
,6. A nurse intern states, "This client's use of defense mechanisms
should be eliminated." Which is a correct evaluation of this
statement?
o A. Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to
stress and need not be eliminated.
o B. Defense mechanisms are always maladaptive and should
be eliminated.
o C. Defense mechanisms used by those with weak egos should
be discouraged.
o D. Defense mechanisms cause ego disintegration and should
be encouraged.
o ,,,answer,,,: A. Defense mechanisms can be healthy and
adaptive ways of coping with stress.
7. During an intake, a client angrily responds to psychosocial
questions, "I'm here for my heart, not my head problems." What is
the nurse's best response?
o A. "It is a routine part of our assessment. All clients are asked
these questions."
o B. "Why are you concerned about these types of questions?"
o C. "Psychological factors, like excessive stress, have been
found to affect medical conditions."
o D. "We can skip these questions if you like."
o ,,,answer,,,: C. This response validates the connection
between psychological and physiological health, which is key
to holistic care.
8. A patient has experienced a stroke that damaged the Broca area.
Which evaluation does the nurse conduct to reinforce this
diagnosis?
o A. Observing the patient pick up a spoon
o B. Asking the patient to recite the alphabet
, o C. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure
o D. Comparing the patient's grip strength
o ,,,answer,,,: B. Damage to Broca's area often results in motor
aphasia, or difficulty with speech production.
9. Why does the therapeutic action of psychotropic medications result
from their effect on specific areas of the nervous system?
o A. The temporal lobe, especially Wernicke's area
o B. Dendrites and their ability to transmit electrical impulses
o C. The regulation of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine
o D. The peripheral nervous system's sensitivity to the
medications
o ,,,answer,,,: C. Psychotropic medications operate at the
neurotransmitter level, particularly on dopamine in
schizophrenia.
10. A student nurse questions the need to learn the anatomy and
physiology of the neurologic system. How should the mentor
respond?
o A. It is necessary only for nurses who focus on behavioral
interventions.
o B. It is a complex undertaking used primarily by advanced
practice psychiatric nurses.
o C. It is important for assessing patients with brain trauma
causing cognitive symptoms.
o D. It is necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients,
especially those with psychiatric disorders.
o ,,,answer,,,: D. Understanding the neurologic system is
fundamental to planning care for all psychiatric patients.
11. A patient asks, "My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused
by her chronic depression?" Which response is supported by
research?
SYNOPSIS OF PSYCHIATRY
EDITION 12 TEST BANK ACTUAL
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
1. A patient with depression mentions, "My mother says depression is
a chemical disorder." The nurse's response is based on the theory
that depression primarily involves which neurotransmitters?
o A. Cortisol and GABA
o B. COMT and glutamate
o C. Monamine and glycine
o D. Serotonin and norepinephrine
o ,,,answer,,,: D. One possible cause of depression involves the
neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing occasional
sadness after the death of a pet. The client’s appetite, sleep, and
routine have not changed. How should the nurse interpret this?
o A. The behaviors demonstrate mental illness.
o B. The behaviors are extensive, indicating mental illness.
o C. The behaviors are not congruent with cultural norms.
o D. The behaviors demonstrate no functional impairment,
indicating no mental illness.
o ,,,answer,,,: D. The absence of functional impairment
suggests these behaviors are not indicative of mental illness.
,3. At what point should the nurse determine that a client is at risk for
developing a mental illness?
o A. When thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not reflective of
the DSM-5 criteria.
o B. When maladaptive responses to stress are coupled with
interference in daily functioning.
o C. When a client communicates significant distress.
o D. When a client uses defense mechanisms as ego protection.
o ,,,answer,,,: B. The combination of maladaptive stress
responses and functional impairment indicates a risk for
mental illness.
4. A nurse is assessing 15-year-old identical twins who respond very
differently to stress. How should the nurse explain this to the
parents?
o A. Reactions to stress are relative; individual responses vary.
o B. It is abnormal for identical twins to react differently.
o C. Identical twins should share the same temperament.
o D. Environmental influences on stress outweigh genetic
influences.
o ,,,answer,,,: A. Individual responses to stress are relative and
can vary, even among identical twins.
5. Which client should the nurse anticipate to be most receptive to
psychiatric treatment?
o A. A Jewish, female social worker
o B. A Baptist, homeless male
o C. A Catholic, Black male
o D. A Protestant, Swedish business executive
o ,,,answer,,,: A. Clients who share similar values, beliefs, and
language with their healthcare provider are often more
receptive to treatment.
,6. A nurse intern states, "This client's use of defense mechanisms
should be eliminated." Which is a correct evaluation of this
statement?
o A. Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to
stress and need not be eliminated.
o B. Defense mechanisms are always maladaptive and should
be eliminated.
o C. Defense mechanisms used by those with weak egos should
be discouraged.
o D. Defense mechanisms cause ego disintegration and should
be encouraged.
o ,,,answer,,,: A. Defense mechanisms can be healthy and
adaptive ways of coping with stress.
7. During an intake, a client angrily responds to psychosocial
questions, "I'm here for my heart, not my head problems." What is
the nurse's best response?
o A. "It is a routine part of our assessment. All clients are asked
these questions."
o B. "Why are you concerned about these types of questions?"
o C. "Psychological factors, like excessive stress, have been
found to affect medical conditions."
o D. "We can skip these questions if you like."
o ,,,answer,,,: C. This response validates the connection
between psychological and physiological health, which is key
to holistic care.
8. A patient has experienced a stroke that damaged the Broca area.
Which evaluation does the nurse conduct to reinforce this
diagnosis?
o A. Observing the patient pick up a spoon
o B. Asking the patient to recite the alphabet
, o C. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure
o D. Comparing the patient's grip strength
o ,,,answer,,,: B. Damage to Broca's area often results in motor
aphasia, or difficulty with speech production.
9. Why does the therapeutic action of psychotropic medications result
from their effect on specific areas of the nervous system?
o A. The temporal lobe, especially Wernicke's area
o B. Dendrites and their ability to transmit electrical impulses
o C. The regulation of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine
o D. The peripheral nervous system's sensitivity to the
medications
o ,,,answer,,,: C. Psychotropic medications operate at the
neurotransmitter level, particularly on dopamine in
schizophrenia.
10. A student nurse questions the need to learn the anatomy and
physiology of the neurologic system. How should the mentor
respond?
o A. It is necessary only for nurses who focus on behavioral
interventions.
o B. It is a complex undertaking used primarily by advanced
practice psychiatric nurses.
o C. It is important for assessing patients with brain trauma
causing cognitive symptoms.
o D. It is necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients,
especially those with psychiatric disorders.
o ,,,answer,,,: D. Understanding the neurologic system is
fundamental to planning care for all psychiatric patients.
11. A patient asks, "My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused
by her chronic depression?" Which response is supported by
research?
