NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION A: ANXIETY DISORDERS
Questions 1-25
Question 1
A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports excessive worry about multiple aspects of life.
Which duration of symptoms is required for a diagnosis of GAD?
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: GAD is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months. The worry is difficult to control and associated with symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
Question 2
A client is experiencing a panic attack. Which physical symptoms would the nurse expect to observe?
A) Bradycardia and hypotension
B) Palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath
C) Decreased respiratory rate
D) Hypothermia
,NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panic attacks are characterized by sudden onset of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms
including palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and feelings of choking.
Tachycardia and hypertension are common, not bradycardia or hypotension.
Question 3
A client with panic disorder is prescribed alprazolam (Xanax) . Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) Take the medication with food
B) Avoid grapefruit juice
C) Take the medication at bedtime
D) Take the medication in the morning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alprazolam interacts with grapefruit juice, which can increase drug levels and toxicity. The nurse
should instruct the client to avoid grapefruit juice. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine with dependence potential.
Question 4
A client with social anxiety disorder is prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) . The nurse should instruct the client that
therapeutic effects will take:
A) 24 hours
B) 2-3 days
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 3 months
,NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline take 4-6 weeks to achieve therapeutic effects. The client should be informed of
this to manage expectations and encourage adherence. SSRIs are first-line treatment for social anxiety
disorder.
Question 5
A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone (Buspar) . Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A) "I can take this medication when I feel anxious."
B) "I need to take this medication daily for it to work."
C) "This medication works immediately."
D) "I can stop taking this medication whenever I want."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that must be taken daily. Therapeutic effects take 2-4
weeks to appear. It is not used for acute anxiety and should not be stopped abruptly.
Question 6
A client with generalized anxiety disorder is experiencing excessive worry. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A) Tell the client to stop worrying
B) Encourage the client to identify triggers for worry
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
C) Provide a stimulating environment
D) Ignore the client's worry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to identify triggers for worry helps the client gain insight and develop
coping strategies. Telling the client to stop worrying is nontherapeutic. A calm, low-stimulation environment
is more appropriate.
Question 7
A client is experiencing a panic attack. The nurse is with the client. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A) Administer PRN alprazolam
B) Stay with the client and use calming techniques
C) Encourage the client to talk about the cause of the panic
D) Place the client in seclusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority during a panic attack is to stay with the client and provide reassurance and calming
techniques. Medication may be needed but is not the first intervention. Talking about the cause may increase
anxiety.
Question 8
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is performing ritualistic handwashing. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION A: ANXIETY DISORDERS
Questions 1-25
Question 1
A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports excessive worry about multiple aspects of life.
Which duration of symptoms is required for a diagnosis of GAD?
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: GAD is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months. The worry is difficult to control and associated with symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
Question 2
A client is experiencing a panic attack. Which physical symptoms would the nurse expect to observe?
A) Bradycardia and hypotension
B) Palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath
C) Decreased respiratory rate
D) Hypothermia
,NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panic attacks are characterized by sudden onset of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms
including palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and feelings of choking.
Tachycardia and hypertension are common, not bradycardia or hypotension.
Question 3
A client with panic disorder is prescribed alprazolam (Xanax) . Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) Take the medication with food
B) Avoid grapefruit juice
C) Take the medication at bedtime
D) Take the medication in the morning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alprazolam interacts with grapefruit juice, which can increase drug levels and toxicity. The nurse
should instruct the client to avoid grapefruit juice. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine with dependence potential.
Question 4
A client with social anxiety disorder is prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) . The nurse should instruct the client that
therapeutic effects will take:
A) 24 hours
B) 2-3 days
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 3 months
,NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline take 4-6 weeks to achieve therapeutic effects. The client should be informed of
this to manage expectations and encourage adherence. SSRIs are first-line treatment for social anxiety
disorder.
Question 5
A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone (Buspar) . Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A) "I can take this medication when I feel anxious."
B) "I need to take this medication daily for it to work."
C) "This medication works immediately."
D) "I can stop taking this medication whenever I want."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that must be taken daily. Therapeutic effects take 2-4
weeks to appear. It is not used for acute anxiety and should not be stopped abruptly.
Question 6
A client with generalized anxiety disorder is experiencing excessive worry. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A) Tell the client to stop worrying
B) Encourage the client to identify triggers for worry
, NUR 253 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 – GALEN COLLEGE | ANXIETY, MOOD
& PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
C) Provide a stimulating environment
D) Ignore the client's worry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to identify triggers for worry helps the client gain insight and develop
coping strategies. Telling the client to stop worrying is nontherapeutic. A calm, low-stimulation environment
is more appropriate.
Question 7
A client is experiencing a panic attack. The nurse is with the client. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A) Administer PRN alprazolam
B) Stay with the client and use calming techniques
C) Encourage the client to talk about the cause of the panic
D) Place the client in seclusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority during a panic attack is to stay with the client and provide reassurance and calming
techniques. Medication may be needed but is not the first intervention. Talking about the cause may increase
anxiety.
Question 8
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is performing ritualistic handwashing. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
