Psychosocial Integrity Test Questions with Correct Answers Already Passed
A teenage client asks the nurse, "Do you think I should tell my parents about my sexuality?" What is the
nurse's best response?
1. "What do you think you should do?"
2. "Absolutely, I think you should tell your parents."
3. "Don't you think your parents have the right to know about your sexuality?"
4. "I do not think now is the right time to tell your parents. Wait until you are 21." - Answers 1. Correct:
It is better to say "What do you think you should do?" This helps the client reflect on options and does
not have the nurse tell the client what to do. It is much more therapeutic to help the client make the
decision for themselves, instead of the nurse. This prevents any biases from impacting the outcome.
2. Incorrect: All of these responses give advice to the client. Telling the client what to do or how to
behave which implies that the nurse knows what is best and that the client is not capable of making any
decisions.
3. Incorrect: All of these responses give advice to the client. Telling the client what to do or how to
behave which implies that the nurse knows what is best and that the client is not capable of making any
decisions.
4. Incorrect: All of these responses give advice to the client. Telling the client what to do or how to
behave which implies that the nurse knows what is best and that the client is not capable of making any
decisions.
The nurse is caring for a client who presents to the mental health unit following a violent altercation
with the spouse. The client has numerous bruises on the face, chest, and back. There is one laceration
where spouse "came at me" with a knife. At this time, what is most likely to be the mood of the
perpetrator in this situation?
1. Extreme anger
2. Anxiety
3. Kindness
4. Irritability - Answers 3. Correct: The perpetrator has completed the acute battering phase and has
now likely entered the honeymoon phase with extreme kindness and acts of love. The attacker is now
calm after the tension has been released. You may witness remorseful and apologetic behaviors like
bringing gifts and promises of love.
1. Incorrect: The anger phase is likely over after the attacker has beaten the victim. This anger building
stage is called tension building stage and is characterized by minor incidents like pushing, shoving and
verbal abuse. During this time the abused spouse may accept the abuse for fear of it getting worse so
,the abuser rationalizes that the behavior is acceptable. The abuser may even turn to alcohol and drugs
to curb the anger. The extreme anger exhibited during the acute battering stage. The abuser releases
the built-up anger and tension by brutal and uncontrollable beatings. After the beating the client is calm
and described as "in shock" or have have amnesia of the event. You also see extreme anger in the
escalation/de-escalation stage.
2. Incorrect: The tension or anxiety would be felt during the tension-building phase. This anger building
stage is called tension building stage and is characterized by minor incidents like pushing, shoving and
verbal abuse. During this time the abused spouse may accept the abuse for fear of it getting worse so
the abuser rationalizes that the behavior is acceptable. The abuser may even turn to alcohol and drugs
to curb the anger. The extreme anger exhibited during the acute battering stage. The abuser releases
the built-up anger and tension by brutal and uncontrollable beatings. After the beating the client is calm
and described as "in shock" or have have amnesia of the event. You also see extreme anger in the
escalation/de-escalation stage.
4. Incorrect: Irritability would
A teenage client with asthma reports becoming very anxious and fearful each time an asthma attack
occurs. What would be the nurse's best response to the client?
1. "I understand that you feel anxious. But you must stop this behavior."
2. "The feelings that you described can occur in individuals with asthma. You may find that learning
relaxation exercises may help."
3. "I am concerned that feeling anxious during an asthma attack means you need more education about
asthma."
4. "Everyone with asthma experiences tough times with their symptoms. You are learning to manage
your asthma." - Answers 2. Correct: This statement acknowledges the client's feelings and then provides
a suggested strategy that has been found to be useful in clients with anxiety and fear associated with
asthma.
1. Incorrect: The nurse states understanding but then tells the client to stop the behavior without
providing any helpful suggestions.
3. Incorrect: This response is disagreeing with the client's feelings and psychosocial response by stating
that more education about asthma will prevent anxiety during an asthma attack.
4. Incorrect: This response dismisses and belittles the client's feelings and psychosocial response
associated with asthma. By stating "everyone with asthma", the nurse is making a stereotypical
response. This does not promote expressions of feelings by the client.
Which nursing intervention should the nurse include when caring for a client with Alzheimer's disease
being admitted to a long term care facility?
,1. Offer multiple environmental stimuli at the same time to provide distraction.
2. Encourage the client to participate in activities such as board games.
3. Restrain the client in a chair to prevent falls when sundowning occurs.
4. Involve the client in supervised walking as a routine. - Answers 4. Correct: A regular routine and
physical activity help client's with Alzheimer's disease maintain abilities for a longer period of time.
Physical activities promote strength, agility and balance. The client's walking should be supervised for
client safety issues.
1. Incorrect: Environmental stimuli should be limited with clients with Alzheimer's Disease. The client
can become agitated and/or more disoriented with an increase in environmental stimuli.
2. Incorrect: Board games would not be appropriate due to the client's cognitive and memory
impairment. Board games require complex cognitive actions.
3. Incorrect: Restraints should be avoided because they increase agitation. The client may become
agitated by the restriction of he restraints. Also the client may perceive the restraints as a threat.
An alcoholic client was admitted to the medical unit with substance-withdrawal delirium. Two days later,
the client decides to leave the hospital against medical advice. What is the priority nursing intervention
at this time?
1. Hide the client's clothes so that he cannot leave.
2. Administer the ordered sedative.
3. Place restraints on the client.
4. Determine why the client wants to leave. - Answers 4. Correct: Always assess why the client wishes to
leave first. This will provide an opportunity to attempt to fix the problem and possibly revise the client's
decision.
1., 2. & 3. Incorrect: Confining a client against his or her wishes, except in an emergency situation, may
be considered false imprisonment. Actions that may invoke these charges include: locking an individual
in a room, taking a person's clothes for the purposes of detainment against his or her will, and retaining
in mechanical restraints a competent voluntary client who demands to be released.
A client who was diagnosed with paranoid delusions has been prescribed a chest x-ray. The client
refuses the chest x-ray and states "No, they want to kill me with the rays from the x-ray machine."
Which nursing response is appropriate?
1. "Do you think people want to kill you with rays?"
2. "You don't have to worry that someone is going to kill you."
, 3. "I don't want you to talk about the x-ray technicians."
4. "Where did you get the idea that someone was trying to kill you?" - Answers 1. Correct: By restating
the client's primary idea this reinforces to the client that statement has been heard. This allows the
client to clarify the statement or realize that the nurse has understood the comment. This is the
therapeutic communication technique of restating.
2. Incorrect: The nurse is using the nontherapeutic communication technique of giving reassurance. The
nurse is stating that the client has nothing to worry about. The client may feel the nurse is moderating
their intense concern of the possibility of being killed.
3. Incorrect: The nurse is disregarding the client's concern about possibly being killed. The nurse is
redirecting the conversation about the client to concern for the x-ray technicians. The nurse is preferring
the conversation to be focused on another topic. This is an example of the nontherapeutic
communication technique of introducing an unrelated topic.
4. Incorrect: Demanding a reason from the client about their thoughts or feelings is an example of the
nontherapeutic communication technique of requesting an explanation. This is a direct question. The
client will need to defend their feelings or thought. The client may feel intimidated and stop
communicating with the nurse.
A client had a suspicious area of the skin biopsied and sent to the lab for analysis. The client states "I am
worried that the pathology report will indicate cancer." Which response would the nurse initiate to
assist the client in reducing their anxiety?
1. "You are anxious about the pathology report?"
2. "Would you like me to recommend a movie for you to watch?"
3. "I will notify your daughter that you are concerned about the pathology report."
4. "Have you tried taking long, slow deep breaths and not thinking negative thoughts?" - Answers 1.
Correct: Utilizing the therapeutic communication technique of restating encourages the client to
continue expressing their thoughts and feelings. This correct response by the nurse will also encourage
the client to continue verbalizing or clarify their statement if needed. Restating is an effective
communication technique to reduce the client's anxiety.
2. Incorrect: The nurse is presenting another option for the client to discuss that is not related to the
current conversation. Sometimes distraction, a nontherapeutic communication technique, is used by the
nurse to reduce their anxiety which is not client driven communication. The focus of the nurse should be
the client. Communication should be client-centered to explore client feelings, identify client
preferences, empower the client, provide the client choices, or in some way put emphasis on the client.
3. Incorrect: The nurse is deciding for the client to notify the daughter about the pathology report. The
nurse is not demonstrating empathy to the client. The client may feel insignificant, since the nurse wants
A teenage client asks the nurse, "Do you think I should tell my parents about my sexuality?" What is the
nurse's best response?
1. "What do you think you should do?"
2. "Absolutely, I think you should tell your parents."
3. "Don't you think your parents have the right to know about your sexuality?"
4. "I do not think now is the right time to tell your parents. Wait until you are 21." - Answers 1. Correct:
It is better to say "What do you think you should do?" This helps the client reflect on options and does
not have the nurse tell the client what to do. It is much more therapeutic to help the client make the
decision for themselves, instead of the nurse. This prevents any biases from impacting the outcome.
2. Incorrect: All of these responses give advice to the client. Telling the client what to do or how to
behave which implies that the nurse knows what is best and that the client is not capable of making any
decisions.
3. Incorrect: All of these responses give advice to the client. Telling the client what to do or how to
behave which implies that the nurse knows what is best and that the client is not capable of making any
decisions.
4. Incorrect: All of these responses give advice to the client. Telling the client what to do or how to
behave which implies that the nurse knows what is best and that the client is not capable of making any
decisions.
The nurse is caring for a client who presents to the mental health unit following a violent altercation
with the spouse. The client has numerous bruises on the face, chest, and back. There is one laceration
where spouse "came at me" with a knife. At this time, what is most likely to be the mood of the
perpetrator in this situation?
1. Extreme anger
2. Anxiety
3. Kindness
4. Irritability - Answers 3. Correct: The perpetrator has completed the acute battering phase and has
now likely entered the honeymoon phase with extreme kindness and acts of love. The attacker is now
calm after the tension has been released. You may witness remorseful and apologetic behaviors like
bringing gifts and promises of love.
1. Incorrect: The anger phase is likely over after the attacker has beaten the victim. This anger building
stage is called tension building stage and is characterized by minor incidents like pushing, shoving and
verbal abuse. During this time the abused spouse may accept the abuse for fear of it getting worse so
,the abuser rationalizes that the behavior is acceptable. The abuser may even turn to alcohol and drugs
to curb the anger. The extreme anger exhibited during the acute battering stage. The abuser releases
the built-up anger and tension by brutal and uncontrollable beatings. After the beating the client is calm
and described as "in shock" or have have amnesia of the event. You also see extreme anger in the
escalation/de-escalation stage.
2. Incorrect: The tension or anxiety would be felt during the tension-building phase. This anger building
stage is called tension building stage and is characterized by minor incidents like pushing, shoving and
verbal abuse. During this time the abused spouse may accept the abuse for fear of it getting worse so
the abuser rationalizes that the behavior is acceptable. The abuser may even turn to alcohol and drugs
to curb the anger. The extreme anger exhibited during the acute battering stage. The abuser releases
the built-up anger and tension by brutal and uncontrollable beatings. After the beating the client is calm
and described as "in shock" or have have amnesia of the event. You also see extreme anger in the
escalation/de-escalation stage.
4. Incorrect: Irritability would
A teenage client with asthma reports becoming very anxious and fearful each time an asthma attack
occurs. What would be the nurse's best response to the client?
1. "I understand that you feel anxious. But you must stop this behavior."
2. "The feelings that you described can occur in individuals with asthma. You may find that learning
relaxation exercises may help."
3. "I am concerned that feeling anxious during an asthma attack means you need more education about
asthma."
4. "Everyone with asthma experiences tough times with their symptoms. You are learning to manage
your asthma." - Answers 2. Correct: This statement acknowledges the client's feelings and then provides
a suggested strategy that has been found to be useful in clients with anxiety and fear associated with
asthma.
1. Incorrect: The nurse states understanding but then tells the client to stop the behavior without
providing any helpful suggestions.
3. Incorrect: This response is disagreeing with the client's feelings and psychosocial response by stating
that more education about asthma will prevent anxiety during an asthma attack.
4. Incorrect: This response dismisses and belittles the client's feelings and psychosocial response
associated with asthma. By stating "everyone with asthma", the nurse is making a stereotypical
response. This does not promote expressions of feelings by the client.
Which nursing intervention should the nurse include when caring for a client with Alzheimer's disease
being admitted to a long term care facility?
,1. Offer multiple environmental stimuli at the same time to provide distraction.
2. Encourage the client to participate in activities such as board games.
3. Restrain the client in a chair to prevent falls when sundowning occurs.
4. Involve the client in supervised walking as a routine. - Answers 4. Correct: A regular routine and
physical activity help client's with Alzheimer's disease maintain abilities for a longer period of time.
Physical activities promote strength, agility and balance. The client's walking should be supervised for
client safety issues.
1. Incorrect: Environmental stimuli should be limited with clients with Alzheimer's Disease. The client
can become agitated and/or more disoriented with an increase in environmental stimuli.
2. Incorrect: Board games would not be appropriate due to the client's cognitive and memory
impairment. Board games require complex cognitive actions.
3. Incorrect: Restraints should be avoided because they increase agitation. The client may become
agitated by the restriction of he restraints. Also the client may perceive the restraints as a threat.
An alcoholic client was admitted to the medical unit with substance-withdrawal delirium. Two days later,
the client decides to leave the hospital against medical advice. What is the priority nursing intervention
at this time?
1. Hide the client's clothes so that he cannot leave.
2. Administer the ordered sedative.
3. Place restraints on the client.
4. Determine why the client wants to leave. - Answers 4. Correct: Always assess why the client wishes to
leave first. This will provide an opportunity to attempt to fix the problem and possibly revise the client's
decision.
1., 2. & 3. Incorrect: Confining a client against his or her wishes, except in an emergency situation, may
be considered false imprisonment. Actions that may invoke these charges include: locking an individual
in a room, taking a person's clothes for the purposes of detainment against his or her will, and retaining
in mechanical restraints a competent voluntary client who demands to be released.
A client who was diagnosed with paranoid delusions has been prescribed a chest x-ray. The client
refuses the chest x-ray and states "No, they want to kill me with the rays from the x-ray machine."
Which nursing response is appropriate?
1. "Do you think people want to kill you with rays?"
2. "You don't have to worry that someone is going to kill you."
, 3. "I don't want you to talk about the x-ray technicians."
4. "Where did you get the idea that someone was trying to kill you?" - Answers 1. Correct: By restating
the client's primary idea this reinforces to the client that statement has been heard. This allows the
client to clarify the statement or realize that the nurse has understood the comment. This is the
therapeutic communication technique of restating.
2. Incorrect: The nurse is using the nontherapeutic communication technique of giving reassurance. The
nurse is stating that the client has nothing to worry about. The client may feel the nurse is moderating
their intense concern of the possibility of being killed.
3. Incorrect: The nurse is disregarding the client's concern about possibly being killed. The nurse is
redirecting the conversation about the client to concern for the x-ray technicians. The nurse is preferring
the conversation to be focused on another topic. This is an example of the nontherapeutic
communication technique of introducing an unrelated topic.
4. Incorrect: Demanding a reason from the client about their thoughts or feelings is an example of the
nontherapeutic communication technique of requesting an explanation. This is a direct question. The
client will need to defend their feelings or thought. The client may feel intimidated and stop
communicating with the nurse.
A client had a suspicious area of the skin biopsied and sent to the lab for analysis. The client states "I am
worried that the pathology report will indicate cancer." Which response would the nurse initiate to
assist the client in reducing their anxiety?
1. "You are anxious about the pathology report?"
2. "Would you like me to recommend a movie for you to watch?"
3. "I will notify your daughter that you are concerned about the pathology report."
4. "Have you tried taking long, slow deep breaths and not thinking negative thoughts?" - Answers 1.
Correct: Utilizing the therapeutic communication technique of restating encourages the client to
continue expressing their thoughts and feelings. This correct response by the nurse will also encourage
the client to continue verbalizing or clarify their statement if needed. Restating is an effective
communication technique to reduce the client's anxiety.
2. Incorrect: The nurse is presenting another option for the client to discuss that is not related to the
current conversation. Sometimes distraction, a nontherapeutic communication technique, is used by the
nurse to reduce their anxiety which is not client driven communication. The focus of the nurse should be
the client. Communication should be client-centered to explore client feelings, identify client
preferences, empower the client, provide the client choices, or in some way put emphasis on the client.
3. Incorrect: The nurse is deciding for the client to notify the daughter about the pathology report. The
nurse is not demonstrating empathy to the client. The client may feel insignificant, since the nurse wants
