NUR 214 (Mental Health - Test 5) NCLEX STYLE PRACTICE
Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: After a mammogram, a client is told that she needs a fine needle aspirate of a breast mass.
Which action by the client demonstrates engagement in a primary appraisal of the stressful situation?
A) Holding her breath while the nurse is talking
B) Sitting in the dressing room crying
C) Asking the nurse if she has cancer
D) Scheduling the procedure in 6 weeks, which is the earliest possible appointment
Answer: C (Asking the nurse if she has cancer)
Question 2: A client worries every day about personal health and states, "I may not have enough
medication if the weather takes a turn for the worse." This client is exhibiting a sign of which alteration
in stress and coping?
A) Generalized anxiety disorder
B) Phobia
C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) Panic disorder
Answer: A (Generalized anxiety disorder)
Question 3: A client states to the nurse that learning how to use the blood glucose machine will have to
wait until holiday events are planned. Which cognitive indication of stress is the client demonstrating?
A) Problem solving
B) Suppression
C) Self-control
D) Cognitive structuring
Answer: B (Suppression)
Question 4: Which assessment findings indicate to the nurse that a client is experiencing stress? (Select
all that apply)
A) Chewing on a fingernail
B) Checking cellular phone
C) Reading a magazine
D) Talking with others
E) Tapping foot
Answer: A & E (Chewing on a fingernail) (Tapping foot)
Page 1
,Question 5: A client complains about the stress of having to work long hours and missing daily exercise
routines. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A) "There are other ways to reduce stress, such as meditation."
B) "Exercise helps reduce the impact of stress on the body and would be a good thing."
C) "Drinking a small glass of wine each day does help reduce stress."
D) "Maybe exercising, with all of the work, would be too much for your body anyway."
Answer: B ("Exercise helps reduce the impact of stress on the body and would be a good thing.")
Question 6: Which intervention would help a client who is demonstrating stress about being
hospitalized who is concerned about the needs of the children at home?
A) Ask the client if there is anything that is needed once discharged to home
B) Ask the client if there is anyone who would be able to help with the family needs at home during
recuperation
C) Find out if the children can be sent to a grandparent's home until the client fully recovers
D) Suggest the client be transferred to a long-term care facility to ensure a full recovery
Answer: B (Ask the client if there is anyone who would be able to help with the family needs at home
during recuperation)
Question 7: Which instruction by the nurse to a client prescribed diazepam (Valium) for anxiety and
stress is appropriate?
A) "This medication will be good to take for a long time."
B) "Take this medication every time feelings of stress become overwhelming."
C) "This medication works best if taken with a meal."
D) "This medication is good to use for the short term only."
Answer: D ("This medication is good to use for the short term only.")
Question 8: A client is recently prescribed risperidone (Risperdal) by the healthcare provider. Which
would be a priority nursing consideration for this client?
A) Assess blood pressure and heart rate
B) Monitor for increased agitation
C) Assess for drowsiness
D) Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: D (Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
Page 2
,Question 9: A nurse on the behavioral health unit is caring for a client diagnosed with depression who
just lost a spouse in a motor vehicle crash. The client states to the nurse, "My wife would not have
wanted to live if she were disabled." Based on this statement, which defense mechanism is the client
using?
A) Identification
B) Denial
C) Intellectualization
D) Displacement
Answer: C (Intellectualization)
Question 10: Which hormone is one of the primary mediators of stress?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Serotonin
D) Somatostatin
Answer: B (Cortisol)
Question 11: Occupation-specific stressors that are ongoing and unmanaged can lead to what extreme
form of stress?
A) Distress
B) Eustress
C) Allostasis
D) Burnout
Answer: D (Burnout)
Question 12: Which intervention can the nurse implement independently when caring for a client with
alterations in stress and coping?
A) Therapeutic communication
B) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C) Psychotherapy
D) Administration of medications
Answer: A (Therapeutic communication)
Page 3
, Question 13: Which child would the nurse recognize as being at the highest risk of experiencing toxic
stress?
A) A 15-year-old adolescent who is slightly overweight and didn't make the football team; he regularly gets
teased for his weight at school
B) A 2-week-old infant who was born at 31 weeks' gestation and has been in the neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU) for the entire 2 weeks; the child's parents are at the hospital as often as possible
C) A 12-year-old child whose father recently died and whose mother works three part-time jobs; this child is
expected to care for two younger siblings after school
D) A 4-year-old child who attends preschool or daycare each day while the parents work; the child displays
signs of mild separation anxiety
Answer: C (A 12-year-old child whose father recently died and whose mother works three part-time jobs;
this child is expected to care for two younger siblings after school)
Question 14: The nurse is assessing a 68-year-old client who appears disheveled. At previous
appointments, the client was well kept with good hygiene practices. Today, the client's clothes do not
match, the client's hair is unkempt, and the client has intense body odor. The nurse is concerned about
this change in self-care. When conducting the assessment, what is the primary factor the nurse should
consider?
A) Whether the changes are due to a lack of understanding of technology
B) Whether the changes are due to stress or dementia
C) Whether the client is taking all medications as prescribed
D) Whether the client is living independently
Answer: B (Whether the changes are due to stress or dementia)
Question 15: A client, who is experiencing anxiety, is trembling and complaining of dizziness and
palpitations. The client is having a hard time following the nurse's instructions. Based on this data,
which level of anxiety is the client likely experiencing?
A) Panic
B) Severe
C) Moderate
D) Mild
Answer: B (Severe)
Question 16: A client, who was recently laid off from work, is scheduled for a biopsy to evaluate a site
for malignancy. When planning this client's care, which does the nurse include?
A) Reasons to delay the biopsy
B) Medicate around the clock for pain
C) Interventions to address anxiety
D) Social services to aid with financial planning
Answer: C (Interventions to address anxiety)
Page 4
Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: After a mammogram, a client is told that she needs a fine needle aspirate of a breast mass.
Which action by the client demonstrates engagement in a primary appraisal of the stressful situation?
A) Holding her breath while the nurse is talking
B) Sitting in the dressing room crying
C) Asking the nurse if she has cancer
D) Scheduling the procedure in 6 weeks, which is the earliest possible appointment
Answer: C (Asking the nurse if she has cancer)
Question 2: A client worries every day about personal health and states, "I may not have enough
medication if the weather takes a turn for the worse." This client is exhibiting a sign of which alteration
in stress and coping?
A) Generalized anxiety disorder
B) Phobia
C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) Panic disorder
Answer: A (Generalized anxiety disorder)
Question 3: A client states to the nurse that learning how to use the blood glucose machine will have to
wait until holiday events are planned. Which cognitive indication of stress is the client demonstrating?
A) Problem solving
B) Suppression
C) Self-control
D) Cognitive structuring
Answer: B (Suppression)
Question 4: Which assessment findings indicate to the nurse that a client is experiencing stress? (Select
all that apply)
A) Chewing on a fingernail
B) Checking cellular phone
C) Reading a magazine
D) Talking with others
E) Tapping foot
Answer: A & E (Chewing on a fingernail) (Tapping foot)
Page 1
,Question 5: A client complains about the stress of having to work long hours and missing daily exercise
routines. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A) "There are other ways to reduce stress, such as meditation."
B) "Exercise helps reduce the impact of stress on the body and would be a good thing."
C) "Drinking a small glass of wine each day does help reduce stress."
D) "Maybe exercising, with all of the work, would be too much for your body anyway."
Answer: B ("Exercise helps reduce the impact of stress on the body and would be a good thing.")
Question 6: Which intervention would help a client who is demonstrating stress about being
hospitalized who is concerned about the needs of the children at home?
A) Ask the client if there is anything that is needed once discharged to home
B) Ask the client if there is anyone who would be able to help with the family needs at home during
recuperation
C) Find out if the children can be sent to a grandparent's home until the client fully recovers
D) Suggest the client be transferred to a long-term care facility to ensure a full recovery
Answer: B (Ask the client if there is anyone who would be able to help with the family needs at home
during recuperation)
Question 7: Which instruction by the nurse to a client prescribed diazepam (Valium) for anxiety and
stress is appropriate?
A) "This medication will be good to take for a long time."
B) "Take this medication every time feelings of stress become overwhelming."
C) "This medication works best if taken with a meal."
D) "This medication is good to use for the short term only."
Answer: D ("This medication is good to use for the short term only.")
Question 8: A client is recently prescribed risperidone (Risperdal) by the healthcare provider. Which
would be a priority nursing consideration for this client?
A) Assess blood pressure and heart rate
B) Monitor for increased agitation
C) Assess for drowsiness
D) Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: D (Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
Page 2
,Question 9: A nurse on the behavioral health unit is caring for a client diagnosed with depression who
just lost a spouse in a motor vehicle crash. The client states to the nurse, "My wife would not have
wanted to live if she were disabled." Based on this statement, which defense mechanism is the client
using?
A) Identification
B) Denial
C) Intellectualization
D) Displacement
Answer: C (Intellectualization)
Question 10: Which hormone is one of the primary mediators of stress?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Serotonin
D) Somatostatin
Answer: B (Cortisol)
Question 11: Occupation-specific stressors that are ongoing and unmanaged can lead to what extreme
form of stress?
A) Distress
B) Eustress
C) Allostasis
D) Burnout
Answer: D (Burnout)
Question 12: Which intervention can the nurse implement independently when caring for a client with
alterations in stress and coping?
A) Therapeutic communication
B) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C) Psychotherapy
D) Administration of medications
Answer: A (Therapeutic communication)
Page 3
, Question 13: Which child would the nurse recognize as being at the highest risk of experiencing toxic
stress?
A) A 15-year-old adolescent who is slightly overweight and didn't make the football team; he regularly gets
teased for his weight at school
B) A 2-week-old infant who was born at 31 weeks' gestation and has been in the neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU) for the entire 2 weeks; the child's parents are at the hospital as often as possible
C) A 12-year-old child whose father recently died and whose mother works three part-time jobs; this child is
expected to care for two younger siblings after school
D) A 4-year-old child who attends preschool or daycare each day while the parents work; the child displays
signs of mild separation anxiety
Answer: C (A 12-year-old child whose father recently died and whose mother works three part-time jobs;
this child is expected to care for two younger siblings after school)
Question 14: The nurse is assessing a 68-year-old client who appears disheveled. At previous
appointments, the client was well kept with good hygiene practices. Today, the client's clothes do not
match, the client's hair is unkempt, and the client has intense body odor. The nurse is concerned about
this change in self-care. When conducting the assessment, what is the primary factor the nurse should
consider?
A) Whether the changes are due to a lack of understanding of technology
B) Whether the changes are due to stress or dementia
C) Whether the client is taking all medications as prescribed
D) Whether the client is living independently
Answer: B (Whether the changes are due to stress or dementia)
Question 15: A client, who is experiencing anxiety, is trembling and complaining of dizziness and
palpitations. The client is having a hard time following the nurse's instructions. Based on this data,
which level of anxiety is the client likely experiencing?
A) Panic
B) Severe
C) Moderate
D) Mild
Answer: B (Severe)
Question 16: A client, who was recently laid off from work, is scheduled for a biopsy to evaluate a site
for malignancy. When planning this client's care, which does the nurse include?
A) Reasons to delay the biopsy
B) Medicate around the clock for pain
C) Interventions to address anxiety
D) Social services to aid with financial planning
Answer: C (Interventions to address anxiety)
Page 4
