BSN Psychosocial Integrity: Mental Health and Therapeutic
Communication (NCLEX-RN Prep) 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A client is admitted with major depressive disorder. Which statement by the
nurse represents the most therapeutic approach?
A. “Why do you feel so sad all the time?”
B. “Everyone feels down sometimes; it will pass soon.”
C. “You should try to think about the positive things in your life.”
D. “I’ll sit with you for a while if you’d like to talk.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Offering self and sitting with the client conveys worth and interest without
placing demands on the client to speak.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
B. Administer an antianxiety medication immediately.
C. Stay with the client and remain calm.
D. Ask the client to describe the cause of the panic.
Answer: C
Rationale: During a panic attack, safety and a calm presence are the priorities. The client
cannot learn new skills (like breathing exercises) or analyze causes until the panic
subsides.
,3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is monitoring my every
move through the light bulbs.’ This is an example of:
A. A hallucination
B. An illusion
C. Ideas of reference
D. A delusion of persecution
Answer: D
Rationale: A delusion is a fixed, false belief. Delusions of persecution involve the belief that
others are out to harm or monitor the individual.
4. The nurse is evaluating a client’s use of defense mechanisms. A client who
fails an exam and then yells at their roommate is using:
A. Displacement
B. Rationalization
C. Projection
D. Reaction Formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Displacement involves transferring emotions from the original source of
frustration to a less threatening target.
5. Which intervention is most important for a client in the manic phase of
bipolar disorder?
A. Providing a detailed schedule of group activities.
B. Offering high-protein, high-calorie finger foods.
C. Encouraging the client to lead a peer discussion group.
D. Setting strict limits on all verbal interactions.
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often cannot sit down to eat. Providing finger foods
ensures they maintain adequate nutrition and caloric intake during hyperactivity.
, 6. A client is diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The nurse
understands that rituals are primarily used to:
A. Reduce anxiety levels.
B. Manipulate the environment.
C. Gain attention from others.
D. Punish themselves for intrusive thoughts.
Answer: A
Rationale: In OCD, compulsive rituals are performed as an attempt to neutralize or reduce
the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts.
7. A client who has recently lost a spouse says, ‘I can’t believe they are gone. I
keep waiting for them to walk through the door.’ This represents which stage of
grief?
A. Anger
B. Bargaining
C. Denial
D. Depression
Answer: C
Rationale: Denial is the first stage of the Kübler-Ross model, characterized by difficulty
believing that the loss has actually occurred.
8. When communicating with a client who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations, the nurse should say:
A. “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.”
B. “Stop listening to the voices; they aren’t real.”
C. “What are the voices telling you to do?”
D. “I can hear the voices too, and they want you to relax.”
Answer: A
Communication (NCLEX-RN Prep) 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A client is admitted with major depressive disorder. Which statement by the
nurse represents the most therapeutic approach?
A. “Why do you feel so sad all the time?”
B. “Everyone feels down sometimes; it will pass soon.”
C. “You should try to think about the positive things in your life.”
D. “I’ll sit with you for a while if you’d like to talk.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Offering self and sitting with the client conveys worth and interest without
placing demands on the client to speak.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
B. Administer an antianxiety medication immediately.
C. Stay with the client and remain calm.
D. Ask the client to describe the cause of the panic.
Answer: C
Rationale: During a panic attack, safety and a calm presence are the priorities. The client
cannot learn new skills (like breathing exercises) or analyze causes until the panic
subsides.
,3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, ‘The FBI is monitoring my every
move through the light bulbs.’ This is an example of:
A. A hallucination
B. An illusion
C. Ideas of reference
D. A delusion of persecution
Answer: D
Rationale: A delusion is a fixed, false belief. Delusions of persecution involve the belief that
others are out to harm or monitor the individual.
4. The nurse is evaluating a client’s use of defense mechanisms. A client who
fails an exam and then yells at their roommate is using:
A. Displacement
B. Rationalization
C. Projection
D. Reaction Formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Displacement involves transferring emotions from the original source of
frustration to a less threatening target.
5. Which intervention is most important for a client in the manic phase of
bipolar disorder?
A. Providing a detailed schedule of group activities.
B. Offering high-protein, high-calorie finger foods.
C. Encouraging the client to lead a peer discussion group.
D. Setting strict limits on all verbal interactions.
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often cannot sit down to eat. Providing finger foods
ensures they maintain adequate nutrition and caloric intake during hyperactivity.
, 6. A client is diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The nurse
understands that rituals are primarily used to:
A. Reduce anxiety levels.
B. Manipulate the environment.
C. Gain attention from others.
D. Punish themselves for intrusive thoughts.
Answer: A
Rationale: In OCD, compulsive rituals are performed as an attempt to neutralize or reduce
the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts.
7. A client who has recently lost a spouse says, ‘I can’t believe they are gone. I
keep waiting for them to walk through the door.’ This represents which stage of
grief?
A. Anger
B. Bargaining
C. Denial
D. Depression
Answer: C
Rationale: Denial is the first stage of the Kübler-Ross model, characterized by difficulty
believing that the loss has actually occurred.
8. When communicating with a client who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations, the nurse should say:
A. “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.”
B. “Stop listening to the voices; they aren’t real.”
C. “What are the voices telling you to do?”
D. “I can hear the voices too, and they want you to relax.”
Answer: A
