Psychiatric Nursing 2026 |
Comprehensive Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
NCLEX Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,1. A client reports a vague feeling of apprehension and A. Anxiety
states, "I feel scared." He also has an increased pulse rate
and blood pressure. Which of the following diagnoses is
most appropriate in this situation?
A. Anxiety
B. Fear
C. Ineffective coping
D. Disturbed sleep pattern
2. When caring for a client with panic level anxiety, the C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety within 2 hours.
psychologist should consider which expected outcome to
be a priority?
A. The client will discuss his concerns for 10 minutes,
three times a day.
B. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety by
the end of the hospitalization.
C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety
within 2 hours.
D. The client will state the name and dose of the anxiolytic
medication.
Situation: The family members of a patient just diagnosed D. Paranoid personality disorder
with personality disorder receives an orientation from the
psychiatrist about the nature of the said disorder.
3. The client exhibiting mistrust, guardedness, and
restricted affect is showing signs of which personality?
A. Antisocial personality disorder
B. Dependent personality disorder
C. Narcissistic personality disorder
D. Paranoid personality disorder
4. The axis II diagnosis of a client is schizoid personality B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
disorder. Which approach should the psychologist plan to
use when interacting with this client?
A. Helpful and nurturing
B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
C. Light and playful
D. Warm and friendly
5. A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder B. Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
needs information regarding medications. Which
psychological intervention would assist this client in
understanding prescribed medications?
A. Ask the client to join the medication education group
B. Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
C. During rounds, have the physician ask if the client has
any questions.
D. Let the client read the medication information handout.
6. When caring for a client with schizoid personality D. improving the client's functional relationships
disorder, the psychologist primarily focuses on which of the
following?
A. expanding the client's interest in objects and things
B. increasing the client's ability to experience pleasure
C. increasing solitary activities
D. improving the client's functional relationships
7. Which defense mechanism is being used by a paranoid A. projection
client who blames others for problems he is experiencing?
A. projection
B. displacement
C. rationalization
D. intellectualization
, 8. When working with a client with paranoid personality B. projection
disorder, the psychologist will find that the client most often
resorts to which one of the following defense
mechanisms?
A. denial
B. projection
C. sublimation
D. repression
9. When assessing the client with a diagnosis of schizoid B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
personality disorder, you will find a pervasive pattern of
detachment from social relationships and, additionally,
which of the following?
A. extreme anger when sufficiently provoked by others
B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
C. seeking approval from no more than two other persons
D. more than the average interest in sexual activity with
strangers
10. You are assigned to a client with schizotypal B. withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
personality disorder. Your assessment would likely reveal
which of the following behaviors?
A. seeks attention and engages in erratic behaviour
B. withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
C. overtly psychotic and experiencing hallucinations and
delusions
D. active participation in activities with other clients and
staff
11. A client has a diagnosis of schizoid personality C. Detached and socially distant
disorder. When assessing client, the psychologist should
expect that the client's behavior would be:
A. Rigid and controlling
B. Dependent and submissive
C. Detached and socially distant
D. Superstitious and socially anxious
Situation: The Psychologist has just been informed that a D. Safety
new client on the unit has a diagnosis of schizophrenia,
paranoid type.
12. Based on this limited information, the psychologist
knows that she will need to address which basic need
first?
A. Esteem and recognition
B. Love and belonging
C. Physiologic integrity
D. Safety
13. When assessing a client with paranoid schizophrenia, D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and hostility.
which findings should be the psychologist's immediate
A. Immobility, clanging, altered sleep patterns, and difficult
family relationships.
B. Problems with role-functioning, peculiar mannerisms,
and decreased social competence.
C. Stressful life events, altered sleep patterns, fatigue, and
hostility.
D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and
hostility.
Comprehensive Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
NCLEX Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,1. A client reports a vague feeling of apprehension and A. Anxiety
states, "I feel scared." He also has an increased pulse rate
and blood pressure. Which of the following diagnoses is
most appropriate in this situation?
A. Anxiety
B. Fear
C. Ineffective coping
D. Disturbed sleep pattern
2. When caring for a client with panic level anxiety, the C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety within 2 hours.
psychologist should consider which expected outcome to
be a priority?
A. The client will discuss his concerns for 10 minutes,
three times a day.
B. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety by
the end of the hospitalization.
C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety
within 2 hours.
D. The client will state the name and dose of the anxiolytic
medication.
Situation: The family members of a patient just diagnosed D. Paranoid personality disorder
with personality disorder receives an orientation from the
psychiatrist about the nature of the said disorder.
3. The client exhibiting mistrust, guardedness, and
restricted affect is showing signs of which personality?
A. Antisocial personality disorder
B. Dependent personality disorder
C. Narcissistic personality disorder
D. Paranoid personality disorder
4. The axis II diagnosis of a client is schizoid personality B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
disorder. Which approach should the psychologist plan to
use when interacting with this client?
A. Helpful and nurturing
B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
C. Light and playful
D. Warm and friendly
5. A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder B. Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
needs information regarding medications. Which
psychological intervention would assist this client in
understanding prescribed medications?
A. Ask the client to join the medication education group
B. Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
C. During rounds, have the physician ask if the client has
any questions.
D. Let the client read the medication information handout.
6. When caring for a client with schizoid personality D. improving the client's functional relationships
disorder, the psychologist primarily focuses on which of the
following?
A. expanding the client's interest in objects and things
B. increasing the client's ability to experience pleasure
C. increasing solitary activities
D. improving the client's functional relationships
7. Which defense mechanism is being used by a paranoid A. projection
client who blames others for problems he is experiencing?
A. projection
B. displacement
C. rationalization
D. intellectualization
, 8. When working with a client with paranoid personality B. projection
disorder, the psychologist will find that the client most often
resorts to which one of the following defense
mechanisms?
A. denial
B. projection
C. sublimation
D. repression
9. When assessing the client with a diagnosis of schizoid B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
personality disorder, you will find a pervasive pattern of
detachment from social relationships and, additionally,
which of the following?
A. extreme anger when sufficiently provoked by others
B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
C. seeking approval from no more than two other persons
D. more than the average interest in sexual activity with
strangers
10. You are assigned to a client with schizotypal B. withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
personality disorder. Your assessment would likely reveal
which of the following behaviors?
A. seeks attention and engages in erratic behaviour
B. withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
C. overtly psychotic and experiencing hallucinations and
delusions
D. active participation in activities with other clients and
staff
11. A client has a diagnosis of schizoid personality C. Detached and socially distant
disorder. When assessing client, the psychologist should
expect that the client's behavior would be:
A. Rigid and controlling
B. Dependent and submissive
C. Detached and socially distant
D. Superstitious and socially anxious
Situation: The Psychologist has just been informed that a D. Safety
new client on the unit has a diagnosis of schizophrenia,
paranoid type.
12. Based on this limited information, the psychologist
knows that she will need to address which basic need
first?
A. Esteem and recognition
B. Love and belonging
C. Physiologic integrity
D. Safety
13. When assessing a client with paranoid schizophrenia, D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and hostility.
which findings should be the psychologist's immediate
A. Immobility, clanging, altered sleep patterns, and difficult
family relationships.
B. Problems with role-functioning, peculiar mannerisms,
and decreased social competence.
C. Stressful life events, altered sleep patterns, fatigue, and
hostility.
D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and
hostility.
