1. A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD). Which symptom would the nurse most likely observe in the
client?
a) Hyperactivity
b) Compulsive behaviors
c) Excessive worry
d) Hallucinations
Answer: c) Excessive worry
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive,
uncontrollable worry about various life events. Clients with GAD often
experience anxiety about everyday matters that are disproportionate to
the actual situation.
2. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) expresses
a lack of energy and interest in activities they once enjoyed. The nurse
identifies this as which key symptom of depression?
a) Psychomotor agitation
b) Anhedonia
c) Flight of ideas
d) Euphoria
Answer: b) Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure or interest
in previously enjoyable activities, which is a hallmark symptom of major
depressive disorder.
,3. A nurse is planning care for a client with schizophrenia. Which of
the following interventions should be included in the plan to address
the client's delusions?
a) Acknowledge the delusion as reality.
b) Agree with the client's beliefs to provide reassurance.
c) Redirect the client to a less distressing topic.
d) Ignore the delusion, as it will go away with time.
Answer: c) Redirect the client to a less distressing topic.
Rationale: It is important to avoid reinforcing delusions by
acknowledging them as true. Instead, the nurse should redirect the
conversation to a more neutral or less distressing topic, helping the
client feel heard without validating the delusion.
4. Which of the following would be the priority nursing intervention
for a client experiencing a panic attack?
a) Encourage deep breathing techniques.
b) Assist the client in identifying triggers.
c) Promote discussion of the client’s feelings.
d) Administer an antianxiety medication.
Answer: a) Encourage deep breathing techniques.
Rationale: During a panic attack, the priority is to reduce immediate
anxiety. Deep breathing techniques help slow the respiratory rate and
calm the autonomic nervous system, reducing panic symptoms.
5. A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD). The client asks the nurse, "Why do I keep
washing my hands?" The nurse should respond by saying:
, a) "It's just a bad habit, and you should try to stop."
b) "It’s a compulsion that helps you relieve anxiety."
c) "You wash your hands because you're afraid of germs."
d) "The washing is not necessary, so you should stop doing it."
Answer: b) "It’s a compulsion that helps you relieve anxiety."
Rationale: Compulsions, such as hand-washing, are repetitive behaviors
that individuals with OCD perform to alleviate anxiety caused by
intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions). It's important to validate
the client's experience while providing education about the nature of
their disorder.
6. A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which of the
following is most likely to be observed?
a) Withdrawal from social interactions
b) Decreased energy levels
c) Grandiose self-esteem
d) Lack of motivation
Answer: c) Grandiose self-esteem
Rationale: During the manic phase of bipolar disorder, individuals often
experience elevated or inflated self-esteem, a sense of grandiosity, and
feelings of being invincible. This is a characteristic symptom of mania.
7. Which of the following behaviors would the nurse expect to see in a
client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?
a) Chronic feelings of emptiness
b) A persistent pattern of disregard for others' rights
(GAD). Which symptom would the nurse most likely observe in the
client?
a) Hyperactivity
b) Compulsive behaviors
c) Excessive worry
d) Hallucinations
Answer: c) Excessive worry
Rationale: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive,
uncontrollable worry about various life events. Clients with GAD often
experience anxiety about everyday matters that are disproportionate to
the actual situation.
2. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) expresses
a lack of energy and interest in activities they once enjoyed. The nurse
identifies this as which key symptom of depression?
a) Psychomotor agitation
b) Anhedonia
c) Flight of ideas
d) Euphoria
Answer: b) Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure or interest
in previously enjoyable activities, which is a hallmark symptom of major
depressive disorder.
,3. A nurse is planning care for a client with schizophrenia. Which of
the following interventions should be included in the plan to address
the client's delusions?
a) Acknowledge the delusion as reality.
b) Agree with the client's beliefs to provide reassurance.
c) Redirect the client to a less distressing topic.
d) Ignore the delusion, as it will go away with time.
Answer: c) Redirect the client to a less distressing topic.
Rationale: It is important to avoid reinforcing delusions by
acknowledging them as true. Instead, the nurse should redirect the
conversation to a more neutral or less distressing topic, helping the
client feel heard without validating the delusion.
4. Which of the following would be the priority nursing intervention
for a client experiencing a panic attack?
a) Encourage deep breathing techniques.
b) Assist the client in identifying triggers.
c) Promote discussion of the client’s feelings.
d) Administer an antianxiety medication.
Answer: a) Encourage deep breathing techniques.
Rationale: During a panic attack, the priority is to reduce immediate
anxiety. Deep breathing techniques help slow the respiratory rate and
calm the autonomic nervous system, reducing panic symptoms.
5. A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD). The client asks the nurse, "Why do I keep
washing my hands?" The nurse should respond by saying:
, a) "It's just a bad habit, and you should try to stop."
b) "It’s a compulsion that helps you relieve anxiety."
c) "You wash your hands because you're afraid of germs."
d) "The washing is not necessary, so you should stop doing it."
Answer: b) "It’s a compulsion that helps you relieve anxiety."
Rationale: Compulsions, such as hand-washing, are repetitive behaviors
that individuals with OCD perform to alleviate anxiety caused by
intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions). It's important to validate
the client's experience while providing education about the nature of
their disorder.
6. A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which of the
following is most likely to be observed?
a) Withdrawal from social interactions
b) Decreased energy levels
c) Grandiose self-esteem
d) Lack of motivation
Answer: c) Grandiose self-esteem
Rationale: During the manic phase of bipolar disorder, individuals often
experience elevated or inflated self-esteem, a sense of grandiosity, and
feelings of being invincible. This is a characteristic symptom of mania.
7. Which of the following behaviors would the nurse expect to see in a
client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?
a) Chronic feelings of emptiness
b) A persistent pattern of disregard for others' rights
