NMNC 3210 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ALL CORRECT
A patient experiencing a moderate level of anxiety is having difficulty focusing during
discharge teaching. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
• a) Proceed with the teaching
• b) Use clear, simple directions
• c) Postpone the teaching
• d) Provide reading materials and leave the room - Answer- Answer: b
Rationale: Moderate anxiety limits concentration. Clear, simple instructions are best for
maintaining engagement.
The nurse observes a client pacing and wringing their hands, stating, "I feel like
something terrible is going to happen." What is the best initial nursing action?
• a) Give them a sedative
• b) Call the provider
• c) Stay with the client and remain calm
• d) Send them to their room to relax - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: The priority in anxiety is ensuring safety and providing a calming presence.
Which interventions are appropriate during a panic attack? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Encourage deep, slow breathing
• b) Ask the patient to explain what triggered the attack
• c) Stay with the client until the episode ends
• d) Use calm and reassuring communication
• e) Offer detailed education on anxiety - Answer- Answer: a, c, d
Rationale: Grounding, deep breathing, and calm presence are effective. Avoid analysis
or education during an acute attack.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder.
Which lifestyle modifications should be recommended? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Limit caffeine intake
• b) Regular physical exercise
• c) Sleep 4-5 hours per night
• d) Practice relaxation techniques
• e) Avoid support groups - Answer- Answer: a, b, d
Rationale: Caffeine worsens anxiety. Exercise and relaxation techniques are evidence-
based treatments. Sleep deprivation and isolation worsen symptoms.
,A nursing student asks how anxiety differs from fear. Which response by the clinical
instructor is most accurate?
• a) "Fear is always more intense than anxiety."
• b) "Fear is a reaction to a known threat; anxiety is a response to a vague or unknown
threat."
• c) "Fear and anxiety are the same."
• d) "Anxiety is always based on past trauma." - Answer- Answer: b
Rationale: Fear is a response to a specific threat, whereas anxiety may be vague,
internal, or future-oriented.
A patient diagnosed with social anxiety disorder is prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). What
patient teaching should the nurse include?
• a) "This medication may work immediately."
• b) "Avoid taking it with grapefruit juice."
• c) "You should stop taking it once your symptoms improve."
• d) "You may feel more anxious before it starts working." - Answer- Answer: d
Rationale: SSRIs may initially worsen anxiety before improvement is seen in a few
weeks. Education on adherence is key.
A nurse is assessing a patient under prolonged emotional stress. Which physical
responses should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Increased blood glucose
• b) Decreased heart rate
• c) Suppressed immune response
• d) Increased respiratory rate
• e) Constricted pupils - Answer- Answer: a, c, d
Rationale: Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased
glucose, respiratory rate, and suppressed immunity. HR increases, not decreases;
pupils dilate, not constrict.
Which patient statement indicates ineffective coping?
• a) "I started taking daily walks to help clear my mind."
• b) "I've joined a support group."
• c) "I drink a few beers every night to calm down."
• d) "I've started journaling about my stress." - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: Using alcohol to cope with stress is a maladaptive response.
Which of the following are considered maladaptive coping mechanisms? (Select all that
apply.)
• a) Substance use
• b) Physical activity
• c) Isolation from others
• d) Self-harm
• e) Meditation - Answer- Answer: a, c, d
Rationale: Maladaptive coping includes harmful behaviors like avoidance, substance
use, and self-injury. Exercise and meditation are adaptive.
, A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing stress related to job loss. Which nursing
intervention best supports adaptive coping?
• a) "Try not to think about it."
• b) "You should avoid friends right now and focus on yourself."
• c) "Let's explore resources and support systems available to you."
• d) "Stress is part of life, and you'll get over it soon." - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: Supporting access to resources and promoting problem-solving reflect
effective nursing support for stress management.
A patient tells the nurse, "I can't cope anymore. I feel like giving up." What is the priority
nursing action?
• a) Provide a brochure on stress reduction
• b) Call the provider immediately
• c) Ask about suicidal thoughts or plans
• d) Document the patient's statement - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation is the top priority in any verbalization of
hopelessness or giving up.
Which symptoms are commonly associated with acute stress? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Increased alertness
• b) Difficulty sleeping
• c) Slow breathing
• d) Elevated blood pressure
• e) Improved digestion - Answer- Answer: a, b, d
Rationale: Acute stress triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing alertness, BP,
and interfering with sleep. Digestion is often impaired.
A nurse is providing care for a patient who expresses concerns about decreased libido
due to medication. Which nursing response best aligns with the "Permission" level of
the PLISSIT model?
• a) "You should try switching your medications with your provider's guidance."
• b) "It's normal to have sexual concerns. Would you like to talk more about it?"
• c) "Let me refer you to a sex therapist for specialized support."
• d) "You'll have to stop taking your medication if it's affecting your libido." - Answer-
Answer: b
Rationale: The "Permission" level includes giving patients approval to discuss sexual
concerns and normalizing these experiences.
A nurse is assessing a client during a wellness visit. Which statements suggest a need
for further sexual health education? (Select all that apply.)
• a) "I use condoms only when I think my partner might have an STI."
• b) "I've had multiple partners, but I get tested regularly."
• c) "I stopped using condoms because I'm on the pill."
• d) "I ask my partner about their STI testing history."
• e) "Oral sex doesn't transmit any STIs, so it's safe." - Answer- Answer: a, c, e
AND ANSWERS ALL CORRECT
A patient experiencing a moderate level of anxiety is having difficulty focusing during
discharge teaching. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
• a) Proceed with the teaching
• b) Use clear, simple directions
• c) Postpone the teaching
• d) Provide reading materials and leave the room - Answer- Answer: b
Rationale: Moderate anxiety limits concentration. Clear, simple instructions are best for
maintaining engagement.
The nurse observes a client pacing and wringing their hands, stating, "I feel like
something terrible is going to happen." What is the best initial nursing action?
• a) Give them a sedative
• b) Call the provider
• c) Stay with the client and remain calm
• d) Send them to their room to relax - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: The priority in anxiety is ensuring safety and providing a calming presence.
Which interventions are appropriate during a panic attack? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Encourage deep, slow breathing
• b) Ask the patient to explain what triggered the attack
• c) Stay with the client until the episode ends
• d) Use calm and reassuring communication
• e) Offer detailed education on anxiety - Answer- Answer: a, c, d
Rationale: Grounding, deep breathing, and calm presence are effective. Avoid analysis
or education during an acute attack.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder.
Which lifestyle modifications should be recommended? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Limit caffeine intake
• b) Regular physical exercise
• c) Sleep 4-5 hours per night
• d) Practice relaxation techniques
• e) Avoid support groups - Answer- Answer: a, b, d
Rationale: Caffeine worsens anxiety. Exercise and relaxation techniques are evidence-
based treatments. Sleep deprivation and isolation worsen symptoms.
,A nursing student asks how anxiety differs from fear. Which response by the clinical
instructor is most accurate?
• a) "Fear is always more intense than anxiety."
• b) "Fear is a reaction to a known threat; anxiety is a response to a vague or unknown
threat."
• c) "Fear and anxiety are the same."
• d) "Anxiety is always based on past trauma." - Answer- Answer: b
Rationale: Fear is a response to a specific threat, whereas anxiety may be vague,
internal, or future-oriented.
A patient diagnosed with social anxiety disorder is prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). What
patient teaching should the nurse include?
• a) "This medication may work immediately."
• b) "Avoid taking it with grapefruit juice."
• c) "You should stop taking it once your symptoms improve."
• d) "You may feel more anxious before it starts working." - Answer- Answer: d
Rationale: SSRIs may initially worsen anxiety before improvement is seen in a few
weeks. Education on adherence is key.
A nurse is assessing a patient under prolonged emotional stress. Which physical
responses should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Increased blood glucose
• b) Decreased heart rate
• c) Suppressed immune response
• d) Increased respiratory rate
• e) Constricted pupils - Answer- Answer: a, c, d
Rationale: Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased
glucose, respiratory rate, and suppressed immunity. HR increases, not decreases;
pupils dilate, not constrict.
Which patient statement indicates ineffective coping?
• a) "I started taking daily walks to help clear my mind."
• b) "I've joined a support group."
• c) "I drink a few beers every night to calm down."
• d) "I've started journaling about my stress." - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: Using alcohol to cope with stress is a maladaptive response.
Which of the following are considered maladaptive coping mechanisms? (Select all that
apply.)
• a) Substance use
• b) Physical activity
• c) Isolation from others
• d) Self-harm
• e) Meditation - Answer- Answer: a, c, d
Rationale: Maladaptive coping includes harmful behaviors like avoidance, substance
use, and self-injury. Exercise and meditation are adaptive.
, A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing stress related to job loss. Which nursing
intervention best supports adaptive coping?
• a) "Try not to think about it."
• b) "You should avoid friends right now and focus on yourself."
• c) "Let's explore resources and support systems available to you."
• d) "Stress is part of life, and you'll get over it soon." - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: Supporting access to resources and promoting problem-solving reflect
effective nursing support for stress management.
A patient tells the nurse, "I can't cope anymore. I feel like giving up." What is the priority
nursing action?
• a) Provide a brochure on stress reduction
• b) Call the provider immediately
• c) Ask about suicidal thoughts or plans
• d) Document the patient's statement - Answer- Answer: c
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation is the top priority in any verbalization of
hopelessness or giving up.
Which symptoms are commonly associated with acute stress? (Select all that apply.)
• a) Increased alertness
• b) Difficulty sleeping
• c) Slow breathing
• d) Elevated blood pressure
• e) Improved digestion - Answer- Answer: a, b, d
Rationale: Acute stress triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing alertness, BP,
and interfering with sleep. Digestion is often impaired.
A nurse is providing care for a patient who expresses concerns about decreased libido
due to medication. Which nursing response best aligns with the "Permission" level of
the PLISSIT model?
• a) "You should try switching your medications with your provider's guidance."
• b) "It's normal to have sexual concerns. Would you like to talk more about it?"
• c) "Let me refer you to a sex therapist for specialized support."
• d) "You'll have to stop taking your medication if it's affecting your libido." - Answer-
Answer: b
Rationale: The "Permission" level includes giving patients approval to discuss sexual
concerns and normalizing these experiences.
A nurse is assessing a client during a wellness visit. Which statements suggest a need
for further sexual health education? (Select all that apply.)
• a) "I use condoms only when I think my partner might have an STI."
• b) "I've had multiple partners, but I get tested regularly."
• c) "I stopped using condoms because I'm on the pill."
• d) "I ask my partner about their STI testing history."
• e) "Oral sex doesn't transmit any STIs, so it's safe." - Answer- Answer: a, c, e
