NUR253 Exam 2 V2 | Mental Health
Nursing Q&A with Rationale | Galen
College of Nursing
1. A client diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) reports chronic worry. Which
duration of symptoms is required for this diagnosis?
A. At least 1 month
B. At least 3 months
C. At least 12 months
D. At least 6 months
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the DSM-5, GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring
more days than not for at least 6 months. This worry is typically associated with various
events or activities such as work or school performance. The client often finds it difficult to
control the worry which leads to significant impairment in social or occupational areas.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. What should be the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Teach the client deep breathing techniques
B. Encourage the client to discuss the trigger
C. Administer an SSRI immediately
,D. Stay with the client and remain calm
Answer: D
Rationale: During a panic attack, the nurse’s priority is to ensure safety by staying with the
client and maintaining a calm presence. The client is in a state of severe to panic-level
anxiety and cannot process complex information or learning. Once the anxiety level
decreases, the nurse can then implement teaching or exploration of triggers.
3. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends hours washing their hands.
What is the primary purpose of this ritual?
A. To maintain physical hygiene
B. To gain attention from staff
C. To reduce anxiety levels
D. To demonstrate superiority over others
Answer: C
Rationale: Compulsions in OCD are repetitive behaviors that an individual feels driven to
perform in response to an obsession. The primary goal of these rituals is to prevent or
reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts. While the behaviors may seem
illogical to others, they provide temporary relief to the client.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. Hypervigilance and startle response
, B. Consistent euphoric mood
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. A desire to visit the site of trauma
Answer: A
Rationale: PTSD is characterized by symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity, such as
hypervigilance and an exaggerated startle response. Clients often experience re-living the
trauma through flashbacks or nightmares which triggers these physiological responses.
Avoidance of triggers related to the trauma is also a key diagnostic criterion.
5. A nurse is educating a client about Buspirone for anxiety. Which statement should the
nurse include?
A. It acts immediately like a benzodiazepine
B. It may take 2 to 4 weeks for full effect
C. It carries a high risk for physical dependence
D. You should stop it immediately if you feel better
Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone is an anxiolytic medication that does not have the immediate onset
of benzodiazepines. It typically takes 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use to reach its full
therapeutic effect in reducing anxiety. Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not cause CNS
depression or carry a high risk for addiction.
Nursing Q&A with Rationale | Galen
College of Nursing
1. A client diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) reports chronic worry. Which
duration of symptoms is required for this diagnosis?
A. At least 1 month
B. At least 3 months
C. At least 12 months
D. At least 6 months
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the DSM-5, GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring
more days than not for at least 6 months. This worry is typically associated with various
events or activities such as work or school performance. The client often finds it difficult to
control the worry which leads to significant impairment in social or occupational areas.
2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. What should be the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Teach the client deep breathing techniques
B. Encourage the client to discuss the trigger
C. Administer an SSRI immediately
,D. Stay with the client and remain calm
Answer: D
Rationale: During a panic attack, the nurse’s priority is to ensure safety by staying with the
client and maintaining a calm presence. The client is in a state of severe to panic-level
anxiety and cannot process complex information or learning. Once the anxiety level
decreases, the nurse can then implement teaching or exploration of triggers.
3. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends hours washing their hands.
What is the primary purpose of this ritual?
A. To maintain physical hygiene
B. To gain attention from staff
C. To reduce anxiety levels
D. To demonstrate superiority over others
Answer: C
Rationale: Compulsions in OCD are repetitive behaviors that an individual feels driven to
perform in response to an obsession. The primary goal of these rituals is to prevent or
reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts. While the behaviors may seem
illogical to others, they provide temporary relief to the client.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. Hypervigilance and startle response
, B. Consistent euphoric mood
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. A desire to visit the site of trauma
Answer: A
Rationale: PTSD is characterized by symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity, such as
hypervigilance and an exaggerated startle response. Clients often experience re-living the
trauma through flashbacks or nightmares which triggers these physiological responses.
Avoidance of triggers related to the trauma is also a key diagnostic criterion.
5. A nurse is educating a client about Buspirone for anxiety. Which statement should the
nurse include?
A. It acts immediately like a benzodiazepine
B. It may take 2 to 4 weeks for full effect
C. It carries a high risk for physical dependence
D. You should stop it immediately if you feel better
Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone is an anxiolytic medication that does not have the immediate onset
of benzodiazepines. It typically takes 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use to reach its full
therapeutic effect in reducing anxiety. Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not cause CNS
depression or carry a high risk for addiction.
