Anxiety Disorders Test Questions with Verified Answers
The nurse discovers that a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is attempting to
resist the compulsion. Based on this finding, the nurse should assess the client for which sign?
Increased anxiety
Depression
Excessive fear
Feelings of failure - ANS -Increased anxiety
A 49-year-old painter who recently fractured his tibia worries about his finances because he
can't work. To treat his anxiety, his physician prescribes buspirone, 5 mg by mouth three times
per day. During buspirone therapy, the client should avoid which of the following drugs?
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
Beta-adrenergic blockers
Antiparkinsonian drugs
Antineoplastic drugs - ANS -Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
A client taking alprazolam reports lightheadedness and nausea every day while getting out of
bed. Which action should the nurse take to objectively validate this client's problem?
Obtain a blood chemical profile.
Take the client's blood pressure.
Teach Valsalva maneuver.
Monitor body temperature. - ANS -Take the client's blood pressure.
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,A client is refusing all medications and is having difficulty breathing, with a respiratory rate of 34
breaths/minute and anxiety. What is the priority nursing action?
Notify the health care provider of the status of this client.
Withhold the medication until the next scheduled dose.
Encourage the client to take some of her medications.
Put the medicine in applesauce to give it without the client's knowledge. - ANS -Notify the
health care provider of the status of this client.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed as having social anxiety disorder. Which
intervention would be appropriate for the nurse to encourage the client to develop?
being in situations where the client is alone
staying at home all the time
public speaking
having to shake hands and be exposed to others' germs - ANS -public speaking
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder and ritualistic behavior must brush the hair back
from his forehead 15 times before carrying out any activity. The nurse notices that the client's
hair is thinning and the skin on the forehead is irritated — possible effects of this ritual. When
planning the client's care, the nurse should assign highest priority to:
helping the client identify how the ritualistic behavior interferes with daily activities.
setting consistent limits on the ritualistic behavior if it harms the client or others.
using problem solving to help the client manage anxiety more effectively.
exploring the purpose of the ritualistic behavior. - ANS -setting consistent limits on the
ritualistic behavior if it harms the client or others.
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Page
,While shopping at a mall, a woman experiences an episode of extreme terror accompanied by
anxiety, tachycardia, trembling, and fear of going crazy. A friend drives her to the emergency
department, where a physician rules out physiological causes and refers her to the psychiatric
resident on call. The nurse caring for this client would expect the health care practitioner to
prescribe which medication to control the client's anxiety?
Paroxetine
Bupropion
Lorazepam
Haloperidol - ANS -Lorazepam
A woman, age 18, is highly dependent on her parents and fears leaving home to go away to
college. Shortly before the fall semester starts, she complains that her legs are paralyzed and is
rushed to the emergency department. When physical examination rules out a physical cause for
her paralysis, the physician admits her to the psychiatric unit where she is diagnosed with
functional neurologic symptom disorder. The client asks the nurse, "Why has this happened to
me?" What is the most appropriate response?
"You've developed this paralysis so you can stay with your parents. You must deal with this
conflict if you want to walk again."
"It isn't uncommon for someone with your personality to develop this disorder during times of
stress."
"It must be awful not to be able to move your legs. You may feel better if you realize the
problem is psychological, not physical."
"Your problem is real but there is no physical basis fo - ANS -"Your problem is real but
there is no physical basis for it. We'll work on what is going on in your life to find out why it's
happened."
During a panic attack, a client runs to the nurse and reports breathing difficulty, chest pain, and
palpitations. The client is pale with his mouth wide open and eyebrows raised. What should the
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Page
nurse do first?
, Set limits for acting out delusional behaviors.
Administer an I.M. anxiolytic agent.
Assist the client to breathe deeply into a paper bag.
Orient the client to person, place, and time. - ANS -Assist the client to breathe deeply into
a paper bag.
Change question to: A client is prescribed alprazolam therapy. Which dose related adverse
reactions should the nurse have the client report to the health care provider? Select all that
apply.
hepatomegaly
rash
drowsiness
urticaria
ataxia - ANS -drowsiness
ataxia
A client in a psychiatric facility is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. The client tells the nurse they have had three seizures after taking the drug for 2
weeks. What question would be appropriate to ask at this time?
"Are you sure you have seizures or is it this your imagination?"
"Have you stopped taking the drug to see if your seizures stop?"
"Do you take any herbs, such as St. John's wort or evening primrose?"
"Do any other members of your family have seizures? - ANS -"Do you take any herbs, such
as St. John's wort or evening primrose?"
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Page
The nurse discovers that a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is attempting to
resist the compulsion. Based on this finding, the nurse should assess the client for which sign?
Increased anxiety
Depression
Excessive fear
Feelings of failure - ANS -Increased anxiety
A 49-year-old painter who recently fractured his tibia worries about his finances because he
can't work. To treat his anxiety, his physician prescribes buspirone, 5 mg by mouth three times
per day. During buspirone therapy, the client should avoid which of the following drugs?
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
Beta-adrenergic blockers
Antiparkinsonian drugs
Antineoplastic drugs - ANS -Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
A client taking alprazolam reports lightheadedness and nausea every day while getting out of
bed. Which action should the nurse take to objectively validate this client's problem?
Obtain a blood chemical profile.
Take the client's blood pressure.
Teach Valsalva maneuver.
Monitor body temperature. - ANS -Take the client's blood pressure.
1
Page
,A client is refusing all medications and is having difficulty breathing, with a respiratory rate of 34
breaths/minute and anxiety. What is the priority nursing action?
Notify the health care provider of the status of this client.
Withhold the medication until the next scheduled dose.
Encourage the client to take some of her medications.
Put the medicine in applesauce to give it without the client's knowledge. - ANS -Notify the
health care provider of the status of this client.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed as having social anxiety disorder. Which
intervention would be appropriate for the nurse to encourage the client to develop?
being in situations where the client is alone
staying at home all the time
public speaking
having to shake hands and be exposed to others' germs - ANS -public speaking
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder and ritualistic behavior must brush the hair back
from his forehead 15 times before carrying out any activity. The nurse notices that the client's
hair is thinning and the skin on the forehead is irritated — possible effects of this ritual. When
planning the client's care, the nurse should assign highest priority to:
helping the client identify how the ritualistic behavior interferes with daily activities.
setting consistent limits on the ritualistic behavior if it harms the client or others.
using problem solving to help the client manage anxiety more effectively.
exploring the purpose of the ritualistic behavior. - ANS -setting consistent limits on the
ritualistic behavior if it harms the client or others.
2
Page
,While shopping at a mall, a woman experiences an episode of extreme terror accompanied by
anxiety, tachycardia, trembling, and fear of going crazy. A friend drives her to the emergency
department, where a physician rules out physiological causes and refers her to the psychiatric
resident on call. The nurse caring for this client would expect the health care practitioner to
prescribe which medication to control the client's anxiety?
Paroxetine
Bupropion
Lorazepam
Haloperidol - ANS -Lorazepam
A woman, age 18, is highly dependent on her parents and fears leaving home to go away to
college. Shortly before the fall semester starts, she complains that her legs are paralyzed and is
rushed to the emergency department. When physical examination rules out a physical cause for
her paralysis, the physician admits her to the psychiatric unit where she is diagnosed with
functional neurologic symptom disorder. The client asks the nurse, "Why has this happened to
me?" What is the most appropriate response?
"You've developed this paralysis so you can stay with your parents. You must deal with this
conflict if you want to walk again."
"It isn't uncommon for someone with your personality to develop this disorder during times of
stress."
"It must be awful not to be able to move your legs. You may feel better if you realize the
problem is psychological, not physical."
"Your problem is real but there is no physical basis fo - ANS -"Your problem is real but
there is no physical basis for it. We'll work on what is going on in your life to find out why it's
happened."
During a panic attack, a client runs to the nurse and reports breathing difficulty, chest pain, and
palpitations. The client is pale with his mouth wide open and eyebrows raised. What should the
3
Page
nurse do first?
, Set limits for acting out delusional behaviors.
Administer an I.M. anxiolytic agent.
Assist the client to breathe deeply into a paper bag.
Orient the client to person, place, and time. - ANS -Assist the client to breathe deeply into
a paper bag.
Change question to: A client is prescribed alprazolam therapy. Which dose related adverse
reactions should the nurse have the client report to the health care provider? Select all that
apply.
hepatomegaly
rash
drowsiness
urticaria
ataxia - ANS -drowsiness
ataxia
A client in a psychiatric facility is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. The client tells the nurse they have had three seizures after taking the drug for 2
weeks. What question would be appropriate to ask at this time?
"Are you sure you have seizures or is it this your imagination?"
"Have you stopped taking the drug to see if your seizures stop?"
"Do you take any herbs, such as St. John's wort or evening primrose?"
"Do any other members of your family have seizures? - ANS -"Do you take any herbs, such
as St. John's wort or evening primrose?"
4
Page
