West Coast University NURS 222 Exam 3 | Mental
Health/Psychiatric Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder. Which
behavior should the nurse expect?
A) Grandiosity and a need for admiration
B) Extreme shyness and fear of criticism
C) Preoccupation with orderliness and perfection
D) Lack of remorse and manipulation of others
Correct Answer: Extreme shyness and fear of criticism
Rationale: Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by extreme shyness, feelings of
inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection. Grandiosity is associated with
narcissistic personality disorder, orderliness with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and
lack of remorse with antisocial personality disorder.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which clinical finding is most consistent
with this disorder?
A) Bradycardia and lanugo
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Obesity and sleep apnea
D) Hyperglycemia and polyuria
Correct Answer: Bradycardia and lanugo
,Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe caloric restriction, leading to bradycardia,
hypotension, lanugo (fine body hair), and low body weight. Hypertension, obesity, and
hyperglycemia are not typical findings.
3. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which medication is the priority for managing
withdrawal symptoms?
A) Naltrexone
B) Lorazepam
C) Disulfiram
D) Acamprosate
Correct Answer: Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment for managing alcohol
withdrawal symptoms because they prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Naltrexone and
acamprosate are used for maintenance, and disulfiram is an aversive agent.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about Alzheimer's disease. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A) "This disease can be cured with medication."
B) "This disease causes progressive memory loss and cognitive decline."
C) "This disease only affects people over age 80."
D) "This disease is caused by a single gene mutation."
Correct Answer: "This disease causes progressive memory loss and cognitive decline."
,Rationale: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. There is no cure, onset can occur
earlier than 80, and most cases are multifactorial.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with paranoid personality disorder. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A) Use clear, straightforward communication and avoid being overly friendly
B) Encourage the client to trust others quickly
C) Use humor to lighten the client's mood
D) Provide a highly stimulating environment
Correct Answer: Use clear, straightforward communication and avoid being overly friendly
Rationale: Clients with paranoid personality disorder are hypervigilant and suspicious. Clear,
honest communication and a respectful but not overly friendly approach help build trust.
Humor may be misinterpreted, and a stimulating environment may increase anxiety.
6. A client with bulimia nervosa is admitted to the unit. Which electrolyte imbalance is the nurse
most concerned about?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
, Rationale: Bulimia nervosa often involves purging behaviors that lead to loss of potassium,
causing hypokalemia. This can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Hyperkalemia,
hypernatremia, and hypercalcemia are less commonly associated.
7. A nurse is assessing a client in opioid withdrawal. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A) Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression
B) Dilated pupils, diaphoresis, and agitation
C) Bradycardia and hypotension
D) Hypotension and sedation
Correct Answer: Dilated pupils, diaphoresis, and agitation
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal is characterized by dilated pupils, diaphoresis, agitation, yawning,
rhinorrhea, and gastrointestinal distress. Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression indicate
opioid intoxication.
8. A client with moderate-stage dementia is experiencing sundowning. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
A) Increase stimulating activities in the evening
B) Maintain a calm, well-lit environment in the evening
C) Restrict all fluids after 4 PM
D) Administer a sedative in the afternoon
Correct Answer: Maintain a calm, well-lit environment in the evening
Health/Psychiatric Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder. Which
behavior should the nurse expect?
A) Grandiosity and a need for admiration
B) Extreme shyness and fear of criticism
C) Preoccupation with orderliness and perfection
D) Lack of remorse and manipulation of others
Correct Answer: Extreme shyness and fear of criticism
Rationale: Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by extreme shyness, feelings of
inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection. Grandiosity is associated with
narcissistic personality disorder, orderliness with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and
lack of remorse with antisocial personality disorder.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which clinical finding is most consistent
with this disorder?
A) Bradycardia and lanugo
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Obesity and sleep apnea
D) Hyperglycemia and polyuria
Correct Answer: Bradycardia and lanugo
,Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe caloric restriction, leading to bradycardia,
hypotension, lanugo (fine body hair), and low body weight. Hypertension, obesity, and
hyperglycemia are not typical findings.
3. A client is admitted for alcohol detoxification. Which medication is the priority for managing
withdrawal symptoms?
A) Naltrexone
B) Lorazepam
C) Disulfiram
D) Acamprosate
Correct Answer: Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment for managing alcohol
withdrawal symptoms because they prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Naltrexone and
acamprosate are used for maintenance, and disulfiram is an aversive agent.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about Alzheimer's disease. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A) "This disease can be cured with medication."
B) "This disease causes progressive memory loss and cognitive decline."
C) "This disease only affects people over age 80."
D) "This disease is caused by a single gene mutation."
Correct Answer: "This disease causes progressive memory loss and cognitive decline."
,Rationale: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. There is no cure, onset can occur
earlier than 80, and most cases are multifactorial.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with paranoid personality disorder. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A) Use clear, straightforward communication and avoid being overly friendly
B) Encourage the client to trust others quickly
C) Use humor to lighten the client's mood
D) Provide a highly stimulating environment
Correct Answer: Use clear, straightforward communication and avoid being overly friendly
Rationale: Clients with paranoid personality disorder are hypervigilant and suspicious. Clear,
honest communication and a respectful but not overly friendly approach help build trust.
Humor may be misinterpreted, and a stimulating environment may increase anxiety.
6. A client with bulimia nervosa is admitted to the unit. Which electrolyte imbalance is the nurse
most concerned about?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
, Rationale: Bulimia nervosa often involves purging behaviors that lead to loss of potassium,
causing hypokalemia. This can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Hyperkalemia,
hypernatremia, and hypercalcemia are less commonly associated.
7. A nurse is assessing a client in opioid withdrawal. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A) Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression
B) Dilated pupils, diaphoresis, and agitation
C) Bradycardia and hypotension
D) Hypotension and sedation
Correct Answer: Dilated pupils, diaphoresis, and agitation
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal is characterized by dilated pupils, diaphoresis, agitation, yawning,
rhinorrhea, and gastrointestinal distress. Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression indicate
opioid intoxication.
8. A client with moderate-stage dementia is experiencing sundowning. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
A) Increase stimulating activities in the evening
B) Maintain a calm, well-lit environment in the evening
C) Restrict all fluids after 4 PM
D) Administer a sedative in the afternoon
Correct Answer: Maintain a calm, well-lit environment in the evening
