PNLE ALL IN PRACTICE EXAMS
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
1. Mental health is defined as:
A. The ability to distinguish what is real from what is not.
B. A state of well-being where a person can realize his own abilities can cope with
normal stresses of life and work productively.
C. Is the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders, nursing care of
patients during illness and rehabilitation
D. Absence of mental illness
Answer: (B) A state of well-being where a person can realize his own
abilities can cope with normal stresses of life and work productively.
Rationale: Mental health is a state of emotional and psychosocial well-being. A
mentally healthy individual is self-aware and self-directive, has the ability to solve
problems, can cope with crisis without assistance beyond the support of family and
friends, fulfills the capacity to love and work, and sets goals and realistic limits. A. This
describes the ego function reality testing. C. This is the definition of Mental Health and
Psychiatric Nursing. D. Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness.
2. Which of the following describes the role of a technician?
A. Administers medications to a schizophrenic patient.
B. The nurse feeds and bathes a catatonic client
C. Coordinates diverse aspects of care rendered to the patient
D. Disseminates information about alcohol and its effects.
Answer: (A) Administers medications to a schizophrenic patient.
Rationale: Administration of medications and treatments, assessment,
documentation are the activities of the nurse as a technician. B. Activities as a parent
surrogate. C. Refers to the ward manager role. D. Role as a teacher.
3. Liza says, "Give me 10 minutes to recall the name of our college professor
who failed many students in our anatomy class." She is operating on her:
A. Subconscious
B. Conscious
C. Unconscious
D. Ego
Answer: (A) Subconscious
Rationale: Subconscious refers to the materials that are partly remembered partly
forgotten but these can be recalled spontaneously and voluntarily. B. This functions
when one is awake. One is aware of his thoughts, feelings actions and what is going
on in the environment. C. The largest potion of the mind that contains the memories
of one's past particularly the unpleasant. It is difficult to recall the unconscious
content. D. The conscious self that deals and tests reality.
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,4. The superego is that part of the psyche that:
A. Uses defensive function for protection.
B. Is impulsive and without morals.
C. Determines the circumstances before making decisions.
D. The censoring portion of the mind.
Answer: (D) The censoring portion of the mind.
Rationale: The critical censoring portion of one's personality; the conscience. A. This
refers to the ego function that protects itself from anything that threatens it. B. The Id
is composed of the untamed, primitive drives and impulses. C. This refers to the ego
that acts as the moderator of the struggle between the id and the superego.
5. Primary level of prevention is exemplified by:
A. Helping the client resume self care.
B. Ensuring the safety of a suicidal client in the institution.
C. Teaching the client stress management techniques
D. Case finding and surveillance in the community
Answer: (C) Teaching the client stress management techniques
Rationale: Primary level of prevention refers to the promotion of mental health and
prevention of mental illness. This can be achieved by rendering health teachings such
as modifying ones responses to stress. A. This is tertiary level of prevention that deals
with rehabilitation. B and D. Secondary level of prevention which involves reduction of
actual illness through early detection and treatment of illness.
6. Situation: In a home visit done by the nurse, she suspects that the wife
and her child are victims of abuse. Which of the following is the most
appropriate for the nurse to ask?
A. "Are you being threatened or hurt by your partner?"
B. "Are you frightened of your partner"
C. "Is something bothering you?"
D. "What happens when you and your partner argue?"
Answer: (A) "Are you being threatened or hurt by your partner?"
Rationale: The nurse validates her observation by asking simple, direct question.
This also shows empathy. B, C, and D are indirect questions which may not lead to the
discussion of abuse.
7. The wife admits that she is a victim of abuse and opens up about her
persistent distaste for sex. This sexual disorder is:
A. Sexual desire disorder
B. Sexual arousal Disorder
2
,C. Orgasm Disorder
D. Sexual Pain Disorder
Answer: (A) Sexual desire disorder
Rationale: Has little or no sexual desire or has distaste for sex. B. Failure to maintain
the physiologic requirements for sexual intercourse. C. Persistent and recurrent
inability to achieve an orgasm. D. Also called dyspareunia. Individuals with this
disorder suffer genital pain before, during and after sexual intercourse.
8. What would be the best approach for a wife who is still living with her
abusive husband?
A. "Here's the number of a crisis center that you can call for help."
B. "Its best to leave your husband."
C. "Did you discuss this with your family?"
D. "Why do you allow yourself to be treated this way"
Answer: (A) "Here's the number of a crisis center that you can call for help."
Rationale: Protection is a priority concern in abuse. Help the victim to develop a plan
to ensure safety. B. Do not give advice to leave the abuser. Making decisions for the
victim further erodes her esteem. However discuss options available. C. The victim
tends to isolate from friends and family. D. This is judgmental. Avoid in anyway
implying that she is at fault.
9. Which comment about a 3 year old child if made by the parent may
indicate child abuse?
A. "Once my child is toilet trained, I can still expect her to have some"
B. "When I tell my child to do something once, I don't expect to have to tell"
C. "My child is expected to try to do things such as, dress and feed."
D. "My 3 year old loves to say NO."
Answer: (B) "When I tell my child to do something once, I don't expect to
have to tell"
Rationale: Abusive parents tend to have unrealistic expectations on the child. A, B
and C are realistic expectations on a 3 year old.
10. The primary nursing intervention for a victim of child abuse is:
A. Assess the scope of the problem
B. Analyze the family dynamics
C. Ensure the safety of the victim
D. Teach the victim coping skills
Answer: (C) Ensure the safety of the victim
Rationale: The priority consideration is the safety of the victim. Attend to the
physical injuries to ensure the physiologic safety and integrity of the child. Reporting
3
, suspected case of abuse may deter recurrence of abuse. A, B and D may be
addressed later.
11. Situation: A 30 year old male employee frequently complains of low back
pain that leads to frequent absences from work. Consultation and tests
reveal negative results. The client has somatoform pain disorder?
A. Somatization Disorder
B. Hypochondriasis
C. Conversion Disorder
D. Somatoform Pain Disorder
Answer: (D) Somatoform Pain Disorder
Rationale: This is characterized by severe and prolonged pain that causes significant
distress. A. This is a chronic syndrome of somatic symptoms that cannot be explained
medically and is associated with psychosocial distress. B. This is an unrealistic
preoccupation with a fear of having a serious illness. C. Characterized by alteration or
loss in sensory or motor function resulting from a psychological conflict.
12. Freud explains anxiety as:
A. Stryes to gratify the needs for satisfaction and security
B. Conflict between id and superego
C. A hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reaction to stress
D. A conditioned response to stressors
Answer: (B) Conflict between id and superego
Rationale: Freud explains anxiety as due to opposing action drives between the id
and the superego. A. Sullivan identified 2 types of needs, satisfaction and security.
Failure to gratify these needs may result in anxiety. C. Biomedical perspective of
anxiety. D. Explanation of anxiety using the behavioral model.
13. The following are appropriate nursing diagnosis for the client EXCEPT:
A. Ineffective individual coping
B. Alteration in comfort, pain
C. Altered role performance
D. Impaired social interaction
Answer: (D) Impaired social interaction
Rationale: The client may not have difficulty in social exchange. The cues do not
support this diagnosis. A. The client maladaptively uses body symptoms to manage
anxiety. B. The client will have discomfort due to pain. C. The client may fail to meet
environmental expectations due to pain.
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PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
1. Mental health is defined as:
A. The ability to distinguish what is real from what is not.
B. A state of well-being where a person can realize his own abilities can cope with
normal stresses of life and work productively.
C. Is the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders, nursing care of
patients during illness and rehabilitation
D. Absence of mental illness
Answer: (B) A state of well-being where a person can realize his own
abilities can cope with normal stresses of life and work productively.
Rationale: Mental health is a state of emotional and psychosocial well-being. A
mentally healthy individual is self-aware and self-directive, has the ability to solve
problems, can cope with crisis without assistance beyond the support of family and
friends, fulfills the capacity to love and work, and sets goals and realistic limits. A. This
describes the ego function reality testing. C. This is the definition of Mental Health and
Psychiatric Nursing. D. Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness.
2. Which of the following describes the role of a technician?
A. Administers medications to a schizophrenic patient.
B. The nurse feeds and bathes a catatonic client
C. Coordinates diverse aspects of care rendered to the patient
D. Disseminates information about alcohol and its effects.
Answer: (A) Administers medications to a schizophrenic patient.
Rationale: Administration of medications and treatments, assessment,
documentation are the activities of the nurse as a technician. B. Activities as a parent
surrogate. C. Refers to the ward manager role. D. Role as a teacher.
3. Liza says, "Give me 10 minutes to recall the name of our college professor
who failed many students in our anatomy class." She is operating on her:
A. Subconscious
B. Conscious
C. Unconscious
D. Ego
Answer: (A) Subconscious
Rationale: Subconscious refers to the materials that are partly remembered partly
forgotten but these can be recalled spontaneously and voluntarily. B. This functions
when one is awake. One is aware of his thoughts, feelings actions and what is going
on in the environment. C. The largest potion of the mind that contains the memories
of one's past particularly the unpleasant. It is difficult to recall the unconscious
content. D. The conscious self that deals and tests reality.
1
,4. The superego is that part of the psyche that:
A. Uses defensive function for protection.
B. Is impulsive and without morals.
C. Determines the circumstances before making decisions.
D. The censoring portion of the mind.
Answer: (D) The censoring portion of the mind.
Rationale: The critical censoring portion of one's personality; the conscience. A. This
refers to the ego function that protects itself from anything that threatens it. B. The Id
is composed of the untamed, primitive drives and impulses. C. This refers to the ego
that acts as the moderator of the struggle between the id and the superego.
5. Primary level of prevention is exemplified by:
A. Helping the client resume self care.
B. Ensuring the safety of a suicidal client in the institution.
C. Teaching the client stress management techniques
D. Case finding and surveillance in the community
Answer: (C) Teaching the client stress management techniques
Rationale: Primary level of prevention refers to the promotion of mental health and
prevention of mental illness. This can be achieved by rendering health teachings such
as modifying ones responses to stress. A. This is tertiary level of prevention that deals
with rehabilitation. B and D. Secondary level of prevention which involves reduction of
actual illness through early detection and treatment of illness.
6. Situation: In a home visit done by the nurse, she suspects that the wife
and her child are victims of abuse. Which of the following is the most
appropriate for the nurse to ask?
A. "Are you being threatened or hurt by your partner?"
B. "Are you frightened of your partner"
C. "Is something bothering you?"
D. "What happens when you and your partner argue?"
Answer: (A) "Are you being threatened or hurt by your partner?"
Rationale: The nurse validates her observation by asking simple, direct question.
This also shows empathy. B, C, and D are indirect questions which may not lead to the
discussion of abuse.
7. The wife admits that she is a victim of abuse and opens up about her
persistent distaste for sex. This sexual disorder is:
A. Sexual desire disorder
B. Sexual arousal Disorder
2
,C. Orgasm Disorder
D. Sexual Pain Disorder
Answer: (A) Sexual desire disorder
Rationale: Has little or no sexual desire or has distaste for sex. B. Failure to maintain
the physiologic requirements for sexual intercourse. C. Persistent and recurrent
inability to achieve an orgasm. D. Also called dyspareunia. Individuals with this
disorder suffer genital pain before, during and after sexual intercourse.
8. What would be the best approach for a wife who is still living with her
abusive husband?
A. "Here's the number of a crisis center that you can call for help."
B. "Its best to leave your husband."
C. "Did you discuss this with your family?"
D. "Why do you allow yourself to be treated this way"
Answer: (A) "Here's the number of a crisis center that you can call for help."
Rationale: Protection is a priority concern in abuse. Help the victim to develop a plan
to ensure safety. B. Do not give advice to leave the abuser. Making decisions for the
victim further erodes her esteem. However discuss options available. C. The victim
tends to isolate from friends and family. D. This is judgmental. Avoid in anyway
implying that she is at fault.
9. Which comment about a 3 year old child if made by the parent may
indicate child abuse?
A. "Once my child is toilet trained, I can still expect her to have some"
B. "When I tell my child to do something once, I don't expect to have to tell"
C. "My child is expected to try to do things such as, dress and feed."
D. "My 3 year old loves to say NO."
Answer: (B) "When I tell my child to do something once, I don't expect to
have to tell"
Rationale: Abusive parents tend to have unrealistic expectations on the child. A, B
and C are realistic expectations on a 3 year old.
10. The primary nursing intervention for a victim of child abuse is:
A. Assess the scope of the problem
B. Analyze the family dynamics
C. Ensure the safety of the victim
D. Teach the victim coping skills
Answer: (C) Ensure the safety of the victim
Rationale: The priority consideration is the safety of the victim. Attend to the
physical injuries to ensure the physiologic safety and integrity of the child. Reporting
3
, suspected case of abuse may deter recurrence of abuse. A, B and D may be
addressed later.
11. Situation: A 30 year old male employee frequently complains of low back
pain that leads to frequent absences from work. Consultation and tests
reveal negative results. The client has somatoform pain disorder?
A. Somatization Disorder
B. Hypochondriasis
C. Conversion Disorder
D. Somatoform Pain Disorder
Answer: (D) Somatoform Pain Disorder
Rationale: This is characterized by severe and prolonged pain that causes significant
distress. A. This is a chronic syndrome of somatic symptoms that cannot be explained
medically and is associated with psychosocial distress. B. This is an unrealistic
preoccupation with a fear of having a serious illness. C. Characterized by alteration or
loss in sensory or motor function resulting from a psychological conflict.
12. Freud explains anxiety as:
A. Stryes to gratify the needs for satisfaction and security
B. Conflict between id and superego
C. A hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reaction to stress
D. A conditioned response to stressors
Answer: (B) Conflict between id and superego
Rationale: Freud explains anxiety as due to opposing action drives between the id
and the superego. A. Sullivan identified 2 types of needs, satisfaction and security.
Failure to gratify these needs may result in anxiety. C. Biomedical perspective of
anxiety. D. Explanation of anxiety using the behavioral model.
13. The following are appropriate nursing diagnosis for the client EXCEPT:
A. Ineffective individual coping
B. Alteration in comfort, pain
C. Altered role performance
D. Impaired social interaction
Answer: (D) Impaired social interaction
Rationale: The client may not have difficulty in social exchange. The cues do not
support this diagnosis. A. The client maladaptively uses body symptoms to manage
anxiety. B. The client will have discomfort due to pain. C. The client may fail to meet
environmental expectations due to pain.
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