NUR 202 PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE, NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is Schizophrenia? - correct answer ✔✔Affects a person's thinking, language, emotions,
social, behavior, and ability to perceive reality
False ideas or beliefs that the patient accepts as real are called: - correct answer ✔✔Delusions
A positive symptom of schizophrenia is: - correct answer ✔✔Hallucinations
A client says to the nurse, "My life doesn't have any happiness in it anymore. I once enjoyed
holidays, but now they're just another day." The nurse documents this report as an example of:
- correct answer ✔✔anhedonia.
A client admitted yesterday for injuries sustained while intoxicated believes bugs are crawling
on the bed. The patient is anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing
diagnosis? - correct answer ✔✔Risk for injury
Severe pathologic mood swings, from hyperactivity and euphoria to sadness and depression,
occur in: - correct answer ✔✔Bipolar disorder
What is Bipolar: - correct answer ✔✔Characterized by excessive energy and activity may
alternate with depression is a chronic and often disabling brain disorder that consist of a genetic
vulnerability, biological, chemical, and environmental stressors
A client admitted to an alcoholism rehabilitation program tells the nurse, "I'm actually just a
social drinker. I usually have a drink at lunch, two in the afternoon, wine with dinner, and a few
drinks during the evening." The patient is using which defense mechanism? - correct answer
✔✔Denial
,A client diagnosed with major depression refuses solid foods. In order to meet nutritional
needs, which beverage will the nurse offer to this patient? - correct answer ✔✔Milk
A nurse is caring for a client with low self-esteem. Which nonverbal communication should the
nurse anticipate from this client? - correct answer ✔✔Eyes pointed downward
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are: - correct answer ✔✔Blunted affect, Anhedonia,
Asociality
The first-line drug used to treat mania is - correct answer ✔✔lithium carbonate (Lithium), a
mood stabilizer, is the first-line drug for use in treating bipolar disorder.
A person who has numerous hypomanic and dysthymic episodes can be assessed as
demonstrating characteristics of - correct answer ✔✔Cyclothymia refers to mood swings
involving hypomania and dysthymia of 2 years' duration. The mood swings are not severe
enough to prompt hospitalization.
A bipolar client tells the nurse, "I have the finest tenor voice in the world. The three tenors who
do all those TV concerts are going to retire because they can't compete with me." The nurse
would make the assessment that the client is displaying - correct answer ✔✔Exaggerated belief
in one's own importance, identity, or capabilities is seen with grandiosity.
Which behavior would be most characteristic of a client during a manic episode? - correct
answer ✔✔Going rapidly from one activity to another, hyperactivity and distractibility are basic
to manic episodes.
The nurse can expect a client demonstrating typical manic behavior to be attired in clothing that
is - correct answer ✔✔Manic clients often manage to dress and apply makeup in ways that
create a colorful, even bizarre, appearance.
, An outcome for a manic client during the acute phase that would indicate that the treatment
plan was successful would be that the client - correct answer ✔✔Risk for injury is a diagnosis of
high priority for manic clients because of their hyperactivity. Lack of injury is a highly desirable
outcome.
When a client experiences four or more mood episodes in a 12-month period, the client is said
to be - correct answer ✔✔Rapid cycling implies four or more mood episodes in a 12-month
period, as well as more severe symptomatology.
Which room placement would be best for a client experiencing a manic episode? - correct
answer ✔✔The room placement that provides a nonstimulating environment is best. Nearness
to the nurses' station means close supervision can be provided.
When a hyperactive manic client expresses the intent to strike another client, the initial nursing
intervention would be to - correct answer ✔✔Verbal limit setting should always precede more
restrictive measures.
When a client reports that lithium causes an upset stomach, the nurse suggests taking the
medication: - correct answer ✔✔Many clients find that taking lithium with or shortly after
meals minimizes gastric distress.
The priority nursing diagnosis for a hyperactive manic client during the acute phase is - correct
answer ✔✔Risk for injury is high, related to the client's hyperactivity and poor judgment.
An acute phase nursing intervention aimed at reducing hyperactivity is redirecting the client to -
correct answer ✔✔write in a diary, manic clients often respond well to the invitation to write.
They will fill reams of paper. While writing they are less physically active.
A bipolar client whose continuing phase treatment consists of lithium therapy and cognitive-
behavioral therapy may become noncompliant with medication. Which factor would be of least
concern to the nurse developing a psychoeducation plan to foster compliance? - correct answer
✔✔The voices tell the client to stop taking it. Manic clients may hallucinate during the delirious
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is Schizophrenia? - correct answer ✔✔Affects a person's thinking, language, emotions,
social, behavior, and ability to perceive reality
False ideas or beliefs that the patient accepts as real are called: - correct answer ✔✔Delusions
A positive symptom of schizophrenia is: - correct answer ✔✔Hallucinations
A client says to the nurse, "My life doesn't have any happiness in it anymore. I once enjoyed
holidays, but now they're just another day." The nurse documents this report as an example of:
- correct answer ✔✔anhedonia.
A client admitted yesterday for injuries sustained while intoxicated believes bugs are crawling
on the bed. The patient is anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. What is the priority nursing
diagnosis? - correct answer ✔✔Risk for injury
Severe pathologic mood swings, from hyperactivity and euphoria to sadness and depression,
occur in: - correct answer ✔✔Bipolar disorder
What is Bipolar: - correct answer ✔✔Characterized by excessive energy and activity may
alternate with depression is a chronic and often disabling brain disorder that consist of a genetic
vulnerability, biological, chemical, and environmental stressors
A client admitted to an alcoholism rehabilitation program tells the nurse, "I'm actually just a
social drinker. I usually have a drink at lunch, two in the afternoon, wine with dinner, and a few
drinks during the evening." The patient is using which defense mechanism? - correct answer
✔✔Denial
,A client diagnosed with major depression refuses solid foods. In order to meet nutritional
needs, which beverage will the nurse offer to this patient? - correct answer ✔✔Milk
A nurse is caring for a client with low self-esteem. Which nonverbal communication should the
nurse anticipate from this client? - correct answer ✔✔Eyes pointed downward
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are: - correct answer ✔✔Blunted affect, Anhedonia,
Asociality
The first-line drug used to treat mania is - correct answer ✔✔lithium carbonate (Lithium), a
mood stabilizer, is the first-line drug for use in treating bipolar disorder.
A person who has numerous hypomanic and dysthymic episodes can be assessed as
demonstrating characteristics of - correct answer ✔✔Cyclothymia refers to mood swings
involving hypomania and dysthymia of 2 years' duration. The mood swings are not severe
enough to prompt hospitalization.
A bipolar client tells the nurse, "I have the finest tenor voice in the world. The three tenors who
do all those TV concerts are going to retire because they can't compete with me." The nurse
would make the assessment that the client is displaying - correct answer ✔✔Exaggerated belief
in one's own importance, identity, or capabilities is seen with grandiosity.
Which behavior would be most characteristic of a client during a manic episode? - correct
answer ✔✔Going rapidly from one activity to another, hyperactivity and distractibility are basic
to manic episodes.
The nurse can expect a client demonstrating typical manic behavior to be attired in clothing that
is - correct answer ✔✔Manic clients often manage to dress and apply makeup in ways that
create a colorful, even bizarre, appearance.
, An outcome for a manic client during the acute phase that would indicate that the treatment
plan was successful would be that the client - correct answer ✔✔Risk for injury is a diagnosis of
high priority for manic clients because of their hyperactivity. Lack of injury is a highly desirable
outcome.
When a client experiences four or more mood episodes in a 12-month period, the client is said
to be - correct answer ✔✔Rapid cycling implies four or more mood episodes in a 12-month
period, as well as more severe symptomatology.
Which room placement would be best for a client experiencing a manic episode? - correct
answer ✔✔The room placement that provides a nonstimulating environment is best. Nearness
to the nurses' station means close supervision can be provided.
When a hyperactive manic client expresses the intent to strike another client, the initial nursing
intervention would be to - correct answer ✔✔Verbal limit setting should always precede more
restrictive measures.
When a client reports that lithium causes an upset stomach, the nurse suggests taking the
medication: - correct answer ✔✔Many clients find that taking lithium with or shortly after
meals minimizes gastric distress.
The priority nursing diagnosis for a hyperactive manic client during the acute phase is - correct
answer ✔✔Risk for injury is high, related to the client's hyperactivity and poor judgment.
An acute phase nursing intervention aimed at reducing hyperactivity is redirecting the client to -
correct answer ✔✔write in a diary, manic clients often respond well to the invitation to write.
They will fill reams of paper. While writing they are less physically active.
A bipolar client whose continuing phase treatment consists of lithium therapy and cognitive-
behavioral therapy may become noncompliant with medication. Which factor would be of least
concern to the nurse developing a psychoeducation plan to foster compliance? - correct answer
✔✔The voices tell the client to stop taking it. Manic clients may hallucinate during the delirious
