Mental Health Nursing 2026 Anxiety Depression
Practice Test Questions Detailed Explanations Mood
Disorders Suicide Risk Therapeutic Interventions
Clinical Priorities
SECTION 1: ANXIETY DISORDERS (Questions 1–30)
Question 1
A 28-year-old client presents to the emergency department with palpitations,
trembling, sweating, and a feeling of impending doom. The client states, "I feel
like I'm going to die." Vital signs are BP 148/92 mmHg, HR 118 bpm, RR 24
breaths/min. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
A. Administer lorazepam as ordered and stay with the client
B. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences
C. Place the client in a quiet room alone to decompress
D. Teach the client deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: A. Administer lorazepam as ordered and stay with the client
Rationale: The client is experiencing a panic attack with severe physical
symptoms. The priority is safety and reducing anxiety through medication and
presence. Staying with the client provides reassurance. Teaching deep breathing is
appropriate once acute symptoms subside. Placing the client alone may worsen
anxiety.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Which
finding is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Fear of specific objects or situations
B. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6 months
,C. Sudden, unexpected panic attacks
D. Recurrent intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
Correct Answer: B. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6
months
Rationale: GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about
multiple domains (work, health, family) lasting at least 6 months. Specific fears
suggest phobia, panic attacks suggest panic disorder, and intrusive thoughts
suggest OCD.
Question 3
A client with panic disorder asks the nurse, "Why do I feel like I'm having a heart
attack when I'm just anxious?" Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Your anxiety triggers your body's fight-or-flight response, which causes
physical symptoms."
B. "You should try to ignore these feelings."
C. "You are just overreacting to stress."
D. "You need to learn to relax more."
Correct Answer: A. "Your anxiety triggers your body's fight-or-flight
response, which causes physical symptoms."
Rationale: This response provides education about the physiologic basis of panic
symptoms, which helps the client understand and manage anxiety. It is
nonjudgmental and therapeutic. The other responses minimize the client's
experience.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Encourage the client to verbalize feelings
B. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences
,C. Teach the client about anxiety medications
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
Correct Answer: B. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's ability to process information is
impaired. The nurse should stay with the client, use short, simple sentences, and
provide a calm presence. Teaching and group therapy are appropriate after the
acute phase.
Question 5
A client with social anxiety disorder is scheduled for a job interview. Which
intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Avoid the interview to reduce anxiety
B. Practice relaxation techniques and gradual exposure
C. Take a sedative before the interview
D. Ask someone else to attend the interview
Correct Answer: B. Practice relaxation techniques and gradual exposure
Rationale: Treatment for social anxiety disorder includes cognitive-behavioral
therapy, relaxation techniques, and gradual exposure to feared situations.
Avoidance reinforces anxiety, and sedatives are not first-line treatment.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about anxiety. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "Anxiety is always a bad thing."
B. "Mild anxiety can help me focus and perform better."
C. "I should avoid all situations that make me anxious."
D. "Medication is the only treatment for anxiety."
Correct Answer: B. "Mild anxiety can help me focus and perform better."
, Rationale: Mild anxiety can be adaptive and improve focus and performance.
Moderate to severe anxiety is maladaptive. Avoidance and medication-only
approaches are not recommended.
Question 7
A client is prescribed buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder. Which statement
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication consistently to see effects."
B. "I can stop this medication when I feel better."
C. "This medication may take several weeks to work."
D. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: B. "I can stop this medication when I feel better."
Rationale: Buspirone should not be stopped abruptly. It takes several weeks to
reach full therapeutic effect and should be tapered under medical supervision.
Consistency and avoiding alcohol are important.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which
finding is most characteristic?
A. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life
B. Recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
C. Sudden, unexpected panic attacks
D. Fear of specific objects or situations
Correct Answer: B. Recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
Rationale: OCD is characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety). GAD involves
excessive worry, panic disorder involves panic attacks, and phobias involve
specific fears.
Practice Test Questions Detailed Explanations Mood
Disorders Suicide Risk Therapeutic Interventions
Clinical Priorities
SECTION 1: ANXIETY DISORDERS (Questions 1–30)
Question 1
A 28-year-old client presents to the emergency department with palpitations,
trembling, sweating, and a feeling of impending doom. The client states, "I feel
like I'm going to die." Vital signs are BP 148/92 mmHg, HR 118 bpm, RR 24
breaths/min. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
A. Administer lorazepam as ordered and stay with the client
B. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences
C. Place the client in a quiet room alone to decompress
D. Teach the client deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: A. Administer lorazepam as ordered and stay with the client
Rationale: The client is experiencing a panic attack with severe physical
symptoms. The priority is safety and reducing anxiety through medication and
presence. Staying with the client provides reassurance. Teaching deep breathing is
appropriate once acute symptoms subside. Placing the client alone may worsen
anxiety.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Which
finding is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Fear of specific objects or situations
B. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6 months
,C. Sudden, unexpected panic attacks
D. Recurrent intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
Correct Answer: B. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life for at least 6
months
Rationale: GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about
multiple domains (work, health, family) lasting at least 6 months. Specific fears
suggest phobia, panic attacks suggest panic disorder, and intrusive thoughts
suggest OCD.
Question 3
A client with panic disorder asks the nurse, "Why do I feel like I'm having a heart
attack when I'm just anxious?" Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "Your anxiety triggers your body's fight-or-flight response, which causes
physical symptoms."
B. "You should try to ignore these feelings."
C. "You are just overreacting to stress."
D. "You need to learn to relax more."
Correct Answer: A. "Your anxiety triggers your body's fight-or-flight
response, which causes physical symptoms."
Rationale: This response provides education about the physiologic basis of panic
symptoms, which helps the client understand and manage anxiety. It is
nonjudgmental and therapeutic. The other responses minimize the client's
experience.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Encourage the client to verbalize feelings
B. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences
,C. Teach the client about anxiety medications
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
Correct Answer: B. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's ability to process information is
impaired. The nurse should stay with the client, use short, simple sentences, and
provide a calm presence. Teaching and group therapy are appropriate after the
acute phase.
Question 5
A client with social anxiety disorder is scheduled for a job interview. Which
intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Avoid the interview to reduce anxiety
B. Practice relaxation techniques and gradual exposure
C. Take a sedative before the interview
D. Ask someone else to attend the interview
Correct Answer: B. Practice relaxation techniques and gradual exposure
Rationale: Treatment for social anxiety disorder includes cognitive-behavioral
therapy, relaxation techniques, and gradual exposure to feared situations.
Avoidance reinforces anxiety, and sedatives are not first-line treatment.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about anxiety. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "Anxiety is always a bad thing."
B. "Mild anxiety can help me focus and perform better."
C. "I should avoid all situations that make me anxious."
D. "Medication is the only treatment for anxiety."
Correct Answer: B. "Mild anxiety can help me focus and perform better."
, Rationale: Mild anxiety can be adaptive and improve focus and performance.
Moderate to severe anxiety is maladaptive. Avoidance and medication-only
approaches are not recommended.
Question 7
A client is prescribed buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder. Which statement
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication consistently to see effects."
B. "I can stop this medication when I feel better."
C. "This medication may take several weeks to work."
D. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: B. "I can stop this medication when I feel better."
Rationale: Buspirone should not be stopped abruptly. It takes several weeks to
reach full therapeutic effect and should be tapered under medical supervision.
Consistency and avoiding alcohol are important.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which
finding is most characteristic?
A. Excessive worry about multiple areas of life
B. Recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
C. Sudden, unexpected panic attacks
D. Fear of specific objects or situations
Correct Answer: B. Recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
Rationale: OCD is characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and
compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety). GAD involves
excessive worry, panic disorder involves panic attacks, and phobias involve
specific fears.
