NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity EXAM PRACTICE TEST
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES | INSTANT
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1. A nurse is caring for a client recently diagnosed with cancer. Which response by the nurse is
most therapeutic?
A. "Don’t worry, everything will be fine."
B. "You seem upset about your diagnosis. Tell me more about your feelings."
C. "Let’s not think about that right now."
D. "You should focus on staying positive."
Correct answer: B – This response encourages expression of feelings and shows active listening,
a core therapeutic technique.
2. A client states, “I feel like my life has no purpose.” What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask if the client has a plan to harm themselves.
B. Tell them to focus on family support.
C. Suggest they think about positive aspects of life.
D. Change the subject to distract them.
Correct answer: A – Assessing suicide risk takes priority for client safety.
3. Which communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. Giving advice
B. Offering self
C. Changing the subject
D. Giving approval
Correct answer: B – Offering self demonstrates empathy and presence, which builds trust.
,4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, “Voices are telling me to harm myself.” What is
the best nursing response?
A. "Ignore the voices."
B. "What do the voices say?"
C. "Those voices aren’t real."
D. "Let’s focus on your medication schedule."
Correct answer: B – This helps assess the command hallucination and potential for harm.
5. A nurse observes a depressed client sitting alone, not eating. The best nursing action is to:
A. Leave the client alone to respect privacy.
B. Sit quietly with the client during meals.
C. Tell the client to join a group.
D. Offer a reward for eating.
Correct answer: B – Presence without pressure demonstrates empathy and support.
6. Which of the following is an example of nonverbal therapeutic communication?
A. Maintaining eye contact
B. Crossing arms
C. Looking at your phone while listening
D. Sitting behind a desk
Correct answer: A – Eye contact conveys interest and attentiveness.
7. A newly admitted client is anxious. Which nursing action helps reduce anxiety?
A. Provide detailed explanations and reassurance.
B. Offer brief, simple information about procedures.
C. Allow the client to isolate.
D. Encourage multiple visitors.
Correct answer: B – Simple explanations prevent information overload.
8. A client says, “I’m so useless.” Which response is most therapeutic?
A. "Why do you feel that way?"
B. "You shouldn’t think like that."
, C. "You seem discouraged. Tell me more."
D. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
Correct answer: C – Encourages expression and shows empathy without judgment.
9. Which client is at highest risk for suicide?
A. Teenager expressing anger after breakup
B. Older adult with terminal illness and recent loss
C. Middle-aged person complaining of insomnia
D. Adolescent experimenting with drugs
Correct answer: B – Chronic illness, recent loss, and age increase suicide risk.
10. The nurse notices a client crying softly. The most therapeutic action is to:
A. Leave the room to give privacy.
B. Offer a tissue and sit quietly.
C. Ask, “What’s wrong?”
D. Distract the client with TV.
Correct answer: B – Nonverbal presence conveys empathy and support.
11. When caring for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the nurse should:
A. Stop rituals immediately
B. Allow time for rituals early in treatment
C. Ignore the rituals completely
D. Encourage avoidance of all triggers
Correct answer: B – Initially allowing rituals reduces anxiety; then gradual reduction is
encouraged.
12. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing panic attack?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly
C. Ask about recent stressors
D. Leave the client alone to calm down
Correct answer: B – Presence and calm communication help ground the client.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client recently diagnosed with cancer. Which response by the nurse is
most therapeutic?
A. "Don’t worry, everything will be fine."
B. "You seem upset about your diagnosis. Tell me more about your feelings."
C. "Let’s not think about that right now."
D. "You should focus on staying positive."
Correct answer: B – This response encourages expression of feelings and shows active listening,
a core therapeutic technique.
2. A client states, “I feel like my life has no purpose.” What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask if the client has a plan to harm themselves.
B. Tell them to focus on family support.
C. Suggest they think about positive aspects of life.
D. Change the subject to distract them.
Correct answer: A – Assessing suicide risk takes priority for client safety.
3. Which communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. Giving advice
B. Offering self
C. Changing the subject
D. Giving approval
Correct answer: B – Offering self demonstrates empathy and presence, which builds trust.
,4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, “Voices are telling me to harm myself.” What is
the best nursing response?
A. "Ignore the voices."
B. "What do the voices say?"
C. "Those voices aren’t real."
D. "Let’s focus on your medication schedule."
Correct answer: B – This helps assess the command hallucination and potential for harm.
5. A nurse observes a depressed client sitting alone, not eating. The best nursing action is to:
A. Leave the client alone to respect privacy.
B. Sit quietly with the client during meals.
C. Tell the client to join a group.
D. Offer a reward for eating.
Correct answer: B – Presence without pressure demonstrates empathy and support.
6. Which of the following is an example of nonverbal therapeutic communication?
A. Maintaining eye contact
B. Crossing arms
C. Looking at your phone while listening
D. Sitting behind a desk
Correct answer: A – Eye contact conveys interest and attentiveness.
7. A newly admitted client is anxious. Which nursing action helps reduce anxiety?
A. Provide detailed explanations and reassurance.
B. Offer brief, simple information about procedures.
C. Allow the client to isolate.
D. Encourage multiple visitors.
Correct answer: B – Simple explanations prevent information overload.
8. A client says, “I’m so useless.” Which response is most therapeutic?
A. "Why do you feel that way?"
B. "You shouldn’t think like that."
, C. "You seem discouraged. Tell me more."
D. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
Correct answer: C – Encourages expression and shows empathy without judgment.
9. Which client is at highest risk for suicide?
A. Teenager expressing anger after breakup
B. Older adult with terminal illness and recent loss
C. Middle-aged person complaining of insomnia
D. Adolescent experimenting with drugs
Correct answer: B – Chronic illness, recent loss, and age increase suicide risk.
10. The nurse notices a client crying softly. The most therapeutic action is to:
A. Leave the room to give privacy.
B. Offer a tissue and sit quietly.
C. Ask, “What’s wrong?”
D. Distract the client with TV.
Correct answer: B – Nonverbal presence conveys empathy and support.
11. When caring for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the nurse should:
A. Stop rituals immediately
B. Allow time for rituals early in treatment
C. Ignore the rituals completely
D. Encourage avoidance of all triggers
Correct answer: B – Initially allowing rituals reduces anxiety; then gradual reduction is
encouraged.
12. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing panic attack?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly
C. Ask about recent stressors
D. Leave the client alone to calm down
Correct answer: B – Presence and calm communication help ground the client.
