PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM ACTUAL COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ GUARANTEED SUCCESS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with paranoid
schizophrenia. The client refuses to take their prescribed medication,
stating, "The government is putting poison in my pills." Which of the
following responses by the nurse demonstrates the therapeutic
communication technique of presenting reality?
A) "That is an irrational thought; the government is not poisoning you."
B) "I can see you are scared, but I can assure you that the medication is
safe and ordered by your doctor to help you."
C) "Why would the government want to poison you specifically?"
D) "Let's not focus on the pills right now. Would you like to go to the day
room?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Presenting reality involves the nurse gently and directly
pointing out the reality of the situation while acknowledging the client's
feelings without arguing with the delusion. Option A is argumentative
and dismissive. Option C is probing and validates the delusion. Option D
is changing the subject, which is non-therapeutic.
2. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed phenelzine
(Nardil). The nurse must include which of the following dietary
instructions to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
,A) Increase intake of leafy green vegetables.
B) Avoid foods containing tyramine, such as aged cheeses and cured
meats.
C) Restrict fluid intake to 1,000 mL per day.
D) Take the medication with a glass of grapefruit juice.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Consuming tyramine-rich foods while
taking an MAOI can lead to a hypertensive crisis. Options A, C, and D do
not relate to the specific dietary restrictions required for MAOIs.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking lithium carbonate
for bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an early indication of lithium toxicity?
A) Coarse hand tremors and confusion
B) Constipation and dry mouth
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Nausea and fine hand tremors
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include coarse hand tremors,
confusion, and vomiting. Options C and D are common side effects of
therapeutic lithium levels. Option B is not a classic sign of toxicity.
4. During a group therapy session, a client with borderline personality
disorder states, "You are the only nurse here who actually cares about
me. The rest of them are terrible." Which of the following defense
mechanisms is the client exhibiting?
A) Projection
B) Splitting
,C) Denial
D) Rationalization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline
personality disorder where the client views people as either all good or
all bad. Option A involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings
to others. Option C is refusing to accept reality. Option D is making
excuses for unacceptable behavior.
5. A nurse is initiating a therapeutic relationship with a newly
admitted client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
during the orientation phase?
A) Establish the parameters of the relationship and discuss the purpose
of the interaction.
B) Encourage the client to explore their past childhood trauma.
C) Evaluate the client's progress toward their established goals.
D) Summarize the goals achieved and discuss the client's feelings about
termination.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The orientation phase involves establishing trust, formulating
a contract, and setting the purpose and boundaries of the relationship.
Option B is more appropriate for the working phase. Options C and D
are tasks for the termination phase.
6. A client is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A) Ask the client to describe their feelings in detail.
B) Stay with the client and speak in a calm, short, and simple manner.
, C) Leave the client alone to allow them to regain control.
D) Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority during a panic attack is safety and decreasing
anxiety. Staying with the client and using short, simple sentences helps
ground the client. Option A increases anxiety. Option C abandons the
client. Option D may be necessary but is not the first non-
pharmacological intervention.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia and hypothermia
B) Tachycardia and hypertension
C) Hyperthermia and diaphoresis
D) Increased bowel sounds and diarrhea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa often present with vital sign
abnormalities due to starvation, including bradycardia, hypotension,
and hypothermia. Options B, C, and D are not consistent with the
typical presentation of anorexia nervosa.
8. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted to the unit and is
experiencing tremors, diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 120/min. Which
of the following medications should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A) Naltrexone
B) Disulfiram
C) Lorazepam
D) Acamprosate
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ GUARANTEED SUCCESS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with paranoid
schizophrenia. The client refuses to take their prescribed medication,
stating, "The government is putting poison in my pills." Which of the
following responses by the nurse demonstrates the therapeutic
communication technique of presenting reality?
A) "That is an irrational thought; the government is not poisoning you."
B) "I can see you are scared, but I can assure you that the medication is
safe and ordered by your doctor to help you."
C) "Why would the government want to poison you specifically?"
D) "Let's not focus on the pills right now. Would you like to go to the day
room?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Presenting reality involves the nurse gently and directly
pointing out the reality of the situation while acknowledging the client's
feelings without arguing with the delusion. Option A is argumentative
and dismissive. Option C is probing and validates the delusion. Option D
is changing the subject, which is non-therapeutic.
2. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed phenelzine
(Nardil). The nurse must include which of the following dietary
instructions to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
,A) Increase intake of leafy green vegetables.
B) Avoid foods containing tyramine, such as aged cheeses and cured
meats.
C) Restrict fluid intake to 1,000 mL per day.
D) Take the medication with a glass of grapefruit juice.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Consuming tyramine-rich foods while
taking an MAOI can lead to a hypertensive crisis. Options A, C, and D do
not relate to the specific dietary restrictions required for MAOIs.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking lithium carbonate
for bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an early indication of lithium toxicity?
A) Coarse hand tremors and confusion
B) Constipation and dry mouth
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Nausea and fine hand tremors
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include coarse hand tremors,
confusion, and vomiting. Options C and D are common side effects of
therapeutic lithium levels. Option B is not a classic sign of toxicity.
4. During a group therapy session, a client with borderline personality
disorder states, "You are the only nurse here who actually cares about
me. The rest of them are terrible." Which of the following defense
mechanisms is the client exhibiting?
A) Projection
B) Splitting
,C) Denial
D) Rationalization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline
personality disorder where the client views people as either all good or
all bad. Option A involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings
to others. Option C is refusing to accept reality. Option D is making
excuses for unacceptable behavior.
5. A nurse is initiating a therapeutic relationship with a newly
admitted client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
during the orientation phase?
A) Establish the parameters of the relationship and discuss the purpose
of the interaction.
B) Encourage the client to explore their past childhood trauma.
C) Evaluate the client's progress toward their established goals.
D) Summarize the goals achieved and discuss the client's feelings about
termination.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The orientation phase involves establishing trust, formulating
a contract, and setting the purpose and boundaries of the relationship.
Option B is more appropriate for the working phase. Options C and D
are tasks for the termination phase.
6. A client is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A) Ask the client to describe their feelings in detail.
B) Stay with the client and speak in a calm, short, and simple manner.
, C) Leave the client alone to allow them to regain control.
D) Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority during a panic attack is safety and decreasing
anxiety. Staying with the client and using short, simple sentences helps
ground the client. Option A increases anxiety. Option C abandons the
client. Option D may be necessary but is not the first non-
pharmacological intervention.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia and hypothermia
B) Tachycardia and hypertension
C) Hyperthermia and diaphoresis
D) Increased bowel sounds and diarrhea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa often present with vital sign
abnormalities due to starvation, including bradycardia, hypotension,
and hypothermia. Options B, C, and D are not consistent with the
typical presentation of anorexia nervosa.
8. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted to the unit and is
experiencing tremors, diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 120/min. Which
of the following medications should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A) Naltrexone
B) Disulfiram
C) Lorazepam
D) Acamprosate
