Strayer University NUR 450 Midterm EXAM (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Psychiatric Q&A | Psychiatric Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted client. Which statement about the
assessment of clients diagnosed with psychiatric problems is most accurate?
A) Medical history is of little significance and can be eliminated from the
nursing assessment.
B) Assessment provides a holistic view of the client, including
biopsychosocial aspects.
C) Comprehensive assessments can be performed only by advanced practice
nurses.
D) Psychosocial evaluations are gained by subjective reports rather than
objective observations.
Correct Answer: Assessment provides a holistic view of the client, including
biopsychosocial aspects.
Rationale: A thorough psychiatric nursing assessment should provide a
holistic view of the client. It involves collecting and analyzing data across
multiple dimensions: physical, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual,
cognitive, developmental, economic, lifestyle, and functional abilities. It is
not limited to advanced practice nurses and includes both subjective and
objective data.
2. During the assessment phase of the nursing process, which data-gathering
technique should the nurse employ?
A) Asking the client to rate mood after administering an antidepressant.
B) Asking the client to verbalize understanding of previously explained unit
rules.
C) Asking the client to describe any thoughts of self-harm.
D) Asking the client if the group on assertiveness skills was helpful.
,Correct Answer: Asking the client to describe any thoughts of self-harm.
Rationale: The assessment phase involves collecting and analyzing data
about the client. Asking about thoughts of self-harm gathers critical safety
data during assessment. The other options are employed during the
evaluation phase of the nursing process.
3. Which nursing diagnosis is correctly formulated?
A) Schizophrenia R/T biochemical alterations AEB altered thought.
B) Self-care deficit: hygiene R/T altered thought AEB disheveled appearance.
C) Depressed mood R/T multiple life stressors.
D) Developmental disability R/T early-onset schizophrenia AEB hallucinations.
Correct Answer: Self-care deficit: hygiene R/T altered thought AEB disheveled
appearance.
Rationale: A correctly written nursing diagnosis describes the unhealthy
response (inference), the contributing factors, and the data that support the
inference. "Self-care deficit: hygiene R/T altered thought AEB disheveled
appearance" follows this structure. The other options use medical diagnoses
or are not formatted correctly.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with panic disorder. Which nursing diagnosis
is most appropriate?
A) Risk for injury
B) Risk for substance abuse
C) Risk for impaired thinking
D) Risk for social isolation
Correct Answer: Risk for injury
,Rationale: During a panic attack, the client may experience severe physical
symptoms and impaired judgment, increasing the risk of injury. Safety is the
priority concern for a client in a state of panic. While other diagnoses may be
relevant, risk for injury is the most immediate.
5. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of obsessive-
compulsive disorder and has been washing her hands repeatedly. The nurse
locks the bathroom door and says, "When you need to use the bathroom,
please ask one of the staff." How is the client likely to respond?
A) She has low self-esteem and is non-assertive, so she will comply.
B) She will likely become very angry and aggressive.
C) She will probably ask to be assigned to another nurse.
D) She may experience increased anxiety and fear.
Correct Answer: She may experience increased anxiety and fear.
Rationale: Clients with OCD use compulsive behaviors to reduce anxiety.
Restricting the client's ability to perform the compulsion without providing
alternative coping strategies is likely to increase anxiety and fear. This
intervention should be implemented carefully with therapeutic
communication.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's level of anxiety. Which level is characterized
by feeling that something is definitely wrong, nervousness, agitation, and
difficulty concentrating?
A) Mild
B) Moderate
C) Severe
D) Panic
, Correct Answer: Moderate
Rationale: Moderate anxiety is characterized by feelings that something is
definitely wrong, nervousness, agitation, and difficulty concentrating. The
perceptual field narrows, and the client may have difficulty focusing on
details.
7. Which neurotransmitter is believed to be dysfunctional in anxiety
disorders and functions as the body's natural antianxiety agent by reducing
cell excitability?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Acetylcholine
D) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Correct Answer: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Rationale: GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system and functions as the body's natural antianxiety agent by
reducing neuronal excitability. Dysfunction in the GABA system is implicated
in anxiety disorders.
8. Which anxiety disorder is characterized by a person becoming severely
anxious to the point of panic or incapacitation when placed in social
situations?
A) Agoraphobia
B) Panic disorder
C) Specific phobia
D) Social anxiety disorder
Psychiatric Q&A | Psychiatric Nursing
1. A nurse is assessing a newly admitted client. Which statement about the
assessment of clients diagnosed with psychiatric problems is most accurate?
A) Medical history is of little significance and can be eliminated from the
nursing assessment.
B) Assessment provides a holistic view of the client, including
biopsychosocial aspects.
C) Comprehensive assessments can be performed only by advanced practice
nurses.
D) Psychosocial evaluations are gained by subjective reports rather than
objective observations.
Correct Answer: Assessment provides a holistic view of the client, including
biopsychosocial aspects.
Rationale: A thorough psychiatric nursing assessment should provide a
holistic view of the client. It involves collecting and analyzing data across
multiple dimensions: physical, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual,
cognitive, developmental, economic, lifestyle, and functional abilities. It is
not limited to advanced practice nurses and includes both subjective and
objective data.
2. During the assessment phase of the nursing process, which data-gathering
technique should the nurse employ?
A) Asking the client to rate mood after administering an antidepressant.
B) Asking the client to verbalize understanding of previously explained unit
rules.
C) Asking the client to describe any thoughts of self-harm.
D) Asking the client if the group on assertiveness skills was helpful.
,Correct Answer: Asking the client to describe any thoughts of self-harm.
Rationale: The assessment phase involves collecting and analyzing data
about the client. Asking about thoughts of self-harm gathers critical safety
data during assessment. The other options are employed during the
evaluation phase of the nursing process.
3. Which nursing diagnosis is correctly formulated?
A) Schizophrenia R/T biochemical alterations AEB altered thought.
B) Self-care deficit: hygiene R/T altered thought AEB disheveled appearance.
C) Depressed mood R/T multiple life stressors.
D) Developmental disability R/T early-onset schizophrenia AEB hallucinations.
Correct Answer: Self-care deficit: hygiene R/T altered thought AEB disheveled
appearance.
Rationale: A correctly written nursing diagnosis describes the unhealthy
response (inference), the contributing factors, and the data that support the
inference. "Self-care deficit: hygiene R/T altered thought AEB disheveled
appearance" follows this structure. The other options use medical diagnoses
or are not formatted correctly.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with panic disorder. Which nursing diagnosis
is most appropriate?
A) Risk for injury
B) Risk for substance abuse
C) Risk for impaired thinking
D) Risk for social isolation
Correct Answer: Risk for injury
,Rationale: During a panic attack, the client may experience severe physical
symptoms and impaired judgment, increasing the risk of injury. Safety is the
priority concern for a client in a state of panic. While other diagnoses may be
relevant, risk for injury is the most immediate.
5. A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of obsessive-
compulsive disorder and has been washing her hands repeatedly. The nurse
locks the bathroom door and says, "When you need to use the bathroom,
please ask one of the staff." How is the client likely to respond?
A) She has low self-esteem and is non-assertive, so she will comply.
B) She will likely become very angry and aggressive.
C) She will probably ask to be assigned to another nurse.
D) She may experience increased anxiety and fear.
Correct Answer: She may experience increased anxiety and fear.
Rationale: Clients with OCD use compulsive behaviors to reduce anxiety.
Restricting the client's ability to perform the compulsion without providing
alternative coping strategies is likely to increase anxiety and fear. This
intervention should be implemented carefully with therapeutic
communication.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's level of anxiety. Which level is characterized
by feeling that something is definitely wrong, nervousness, agitation, and
difficulty concentrating?
A) Mild
B) Moderate
C) Severe
D) Panic
, Correct Answer: Moderate
Rationale: Moderate anxiety is characterized by feelings that something is
definitely wrong, nervousness, agitation, and difficulty concentrating. The
perceptual field narrows, and the client may have difficulty focusing on
details.
7. Which neurotransmitter is believed to be dysfunctional in anxiety
disorders and functions as the body's natural antianxiety agent by reducing
cell excitability?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Acetylcholine
D) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Correct Answer: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Rationale: GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system and functions as the body's natural antianxiety agent by
reducing neuronal excitability. Dysfunction in the GABA system is implicated
in anxiety disorders.
8. Which anxiety disorder is characterized by a person becoming severely
anxious to the point of panic or incapacitation when placed in social
situations?
A) Agoraphobia
B) Panic disorder
C) Specific phobia
D) Social anxiety disorder
