1. A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with major depressive
disorder (MDD). The client states, "I don’t want to wake up
tomorrow." What is the nurse's priority intervention?
A) Ask the client if they have a plan for suicide.
B) Offer the client a warm blanket for comfort.
C) Encourage the client to focus on positive thoughts.
D) Provide the client with a list of local support groups.
Answer: A) Ask the client if they have a plan for suicide.
Rationale: When a client expresses suicidal ideation, the nurse's priority
is to assess for a plan. Knowing if there is a plan will help determine the
level of risk and appropriate intervention. All other options are
secondary to assessing immediate safety.
2. Which of the following medications is most commonly prescribed
for a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A) Fluoxetine (Prozac)
B) Sertraline (Zoloft)
C) Buspirone (Buspar)
D) Lithium carbonate (Eskalith)
Answer: C) Buspirone (Buspar)
Rationale: Buspirone is commonly prescribed for generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD). It is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that works by
affecting serotonin and dopamine receptors. Fluoxetine and sertraline
are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) typically used for
depression and anxiety but are not the first-line treatment for GAD.
Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. The client states,
“The government is sending messages through my TV to control my
mind.” This statement is an example of:
A) Hallucination
B) Delusion
C) Illusion
D) Paranoia
Answer: B) Delusion
Rationale: A delusion is a false belief that is held despite evidence to
the contrary. The client believes that the government is sending
messages through the TV, which is a delusional thought. Hallucinations
involve perceiving things that are not present, such as hearing voices.
An illusion is a misperception of a real external stimulus, and paranoia
refers to irrational distrust or suspicion of others.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The client states, “I can’t stop thinking about the
traumatic event, and it feels like it’s happening all over again.” The
nurse understands that the client is experiencing:
A) Flashbacks
B) Panic attacks
C) Dissociation
D) Compulsive behavior
Answer: A) Flashbacks
Rationale: Flashbacks are vivid, involuntary memories or reliving of the
traumatic event, which is characteristic of PTSD. Panic attacks involve
sudden, intense fear or discomfort. Dissociation refers to feeling
, disconnected from one’s thoughts or identity. Compulsive behavior is
often seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of the antipsychotic
medication risperidone (Risperdal)?
A) Weight loss
B) Drowsiness
C) Decreased appetite
D) Increased libido
Answer: B) Drowsiness
Rationale: Drowsiness or sedation is a common side effect of
risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic. Other common side effects may
include weight gain, metabolic changes, and extrapyramidal symptoms,
but weight loss, decreased appetite, and increased libido are not
typical.
6. A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The client is currently experiencing a manic episode. Which of the
following behaviors would the nurse most likely observe?
A) Increased need for sleep
B) Slow, deliberate speech
C) Excessive spending or impulsivity
D) Withdrawal from social interaction
Answer: C) Excessive spending or impulsivity
Rationale: During a manic episode, clients with bipolar disorder often
exhibit impulsive behaviors such as excessive spending, risky behavior,
disorder (MDD). The client states, "I don’t want to wake up
tomorrow." What is the nurse's priority intervention?
A) Ask the client if they have a plan for suicide.
B) Offer the client a warm blanket for comfort.
C) Encourage the client to focus on positive thoughts.
D) Provide the client with a list of local support groups.
Answer: A) Ask the client if they have a plan for suicide.
Rationale: When a client expresses suicidal ideation, the nurse's priority
is to assess for a plan. Knowing if there is a plan will help determine the
level of risk and appropriate intervention. All other options are
secondary to assessing immediate safety.
2. Which of the following medications is most commonly prescribed
for a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A) Fluoxetine (Prozac)
B) Sertraline (Zoloft)
C) Buspirone (Buspar)
D) Lithium carbonate (Eskalith)
Answer: C) Buspirone (Buspar)
Rationale: Buspirone is commonly prescribed for generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD). It is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that works by
affecting serotonin and dopamine receptors. Fluoxetine and sertraline
are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) typically used for
depression and anxiety but are not the first-line treatment for GAD.
Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. The client states,
“The government is sending messages through my TV to control my
mind.” This statement is an example of:
A) Hallucination
B) Delusion
C) Illusion
D) Paranoia
Answer: B) Delusion
Rationale: A delusion is a false belief that is held despite evidence to
the contrary. The client believes that the government is sending
messages through the TV, which is a delusional thought. Hallucinations
involve perceiving things that are not present, such as hearing voices.
An illusion is a misperception of a real external stimulus, and paranoia
refers to irrational distrust or suspicion of others.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The client states, “I can’t stop thinking about the
traumatic event, and it feels like it’s happening all over again.” The
nurse understands that the client is experiencing:
A) Flashbacks
B) Panic attacks
C) Dissociation
D) Compulsive behavior
Answer: A) Flashbacks
Rationale: Flashbacks are vivid, involuntary memories or reliving of the
traumatic event, which is characteristic of PTSD. Panic attacks involve
sudden, intense fear or discomfort. Dissociation refers to feeling
, disconnected from one’s thoughts or identity. Compulsive behavior is
often seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of the antipsychotic
medication risperidone (Risperdal)?
A) Weight loss
B) Drowsiness
C) Decreased appetite
D) Increased libido
Answer: B) Drowsiness
Rationale: Drowsiness or sedation is a common side effect of
risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic. Other common side effects may
include weight gain, metabolic changes, and extrapyramidal symptoms,
but weight loss, decreased appetite, and increased libido are not
typical.
6. A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The client is currently experiencing a manic episode. Which of the
following behaviors would the nurse most likely observe?
A) Increased need for sleep
B) Slow, deliberate speech
C) Excessive spending or impulsivity
D) Withdrawal from social interaction
Answer: C) Excessive spending or impulsivity
Rationale: During a manic episode, clients with bipolar disorder often
exhibit impulsive behaviors such as excessive spending, risky behavior,
