NCLEX RN Psychosocial Integrity Exam
2 100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A client with major depressive disorder says, “My family would be better
off without me.” Which response by the nurse is the priority?
A. “Why do you think your family feels that way?”
B. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
D. “Your family needs you.”
Answer: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly asking about suicidal thoughts is appropriate and does
not increase suicide risk. The nurse should assess suicidal ideation, plan,
means, and intent immediately.
2. A client experiencing acute mania is pacing rapidly and speaking loudly.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation.
C. Ask the client to discuss childhood experiences.
D. Allow unrestricted physical activity.
Answer: Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation.
Rationale: Clients experiencing mania benefit from reduced environmental
stimulation, clear limits, and concise communication.
,3. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding the client
to hurt another person. What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying and whether the client intends to
act on them.
C. Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
D. Place the client in a group therapy session.
Answer: Ask the client what the voices are saying and whether the client
intends to act on them.
Rationale: Command hallucinations require immediate assessment for
potential harm to self or others.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Recurrent intrusive memories of trauma
B. Persistent excessive worry about multiple areas of life
C. Sudden episodes of intense fear lasting several minutes
D. Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
Answer: Persistent excessive worry about multiple areas of life
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive, difficult-to-control
worry about multiple events or activities.
5. A client is having a panic attack. Which nursing action is best?
A. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
B. Ask the client to identify the cause of the anxiety.
C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Encourage detailed discussion of feelings.
Answer: Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: During severe anxiety, concentration and information processing
are impaired. Remaining with the client and communicating simply promotes
safety and decreases anxiety.
,6. A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea, vomiting, coarse hand
tremors, and confusion. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the next dose with food.
B. Encourage the client to exercise.
C. Hold lithium and notify the healthcare provider.
D. Restrict sodium intake.
Answer: Hold lithium and notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, coarse tremor, and confusion
suggest lithium toxicity, which requires immediate intervention.
7. Which statement by a client taking an SSRI indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I should stop taking it when I feel better.”
B. “I may need several weeks before I notice the full therapeutic effect.”
C. “I should double the dose if I miss one.”
D. “This medication works immediately during panic attacks.”
Answer: “I may need several weeks before I notice the full therapeutic effect.”
Rationale: SSRIs generally require several weeks for significant therapeutic
effects. Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided.
8. A client taking an antidepressant develops agitation, sweating, diarrhea,
fever, and muscle rigidity. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Anticholinergic toxicity
Answer: Serotonin syndrome
, Rationale: Serotonin syndrome can occur with serotonergic medications and
may cause agitation, autonomic instability, gastrointestinal symptoms,
hyperreflexia, and muscular abnormalities.
9. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes the hands
because of fear of contamination. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Immediately prohibit all handwashing.
B. Allow unlimited handwashing.
C. Establish limits while helping the client develop alternative coping strategies.
D. Tell the client that contamination fears are irrational.
Answer: Establish limits while helping the client develop alternative coping
strategies.
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's anxiety without
reinforcing the compulsive behavior and gradually support healthier coping
strategies.
10. Which behavior is most consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder?
A. Persistent elevated mood
B. Flashbacks and avoidance of trauma-related reminders
C. Excessive concern about physical symptoms without findings
D. Repetitive counting rituals
Answer: Flashbacks and avoidance of trauma-related reminders
Rationale: PTSD commonly includes intrusive recollections or flashbacks,
avoidance, negative mood or cognition changes, and hyperarousal.
11. A client with anorexia nervosa has a very low body weight and
bradycardia. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Encourage the client to exercise daily.
B. Monitor cardiovascular status closely.
2 100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A client with major depressive disorder says, “My family would be better
off without me.” Which response by the nurse is the priority?
A. “Why do you think your family feels that way?”
B. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
D. “Your family needs you.”
Answer: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly asking about suicidal thoughts is appropriate and does
not increase suicide risk. The nurse should assess suicidal ideation, plan,
means, and intent immediately.
2. A client experiencing acute mania is pacing rapidly and speaking loudly.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation.
C. Ask the client to discuss childhood experiences.
D. Allow unrestricted physical activity.
Answer: Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation.
Rationale: Clients experiencing mania benefit from reduced environmental
stimulation, clear limits, and concise communication.
,3. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding the client
to hurt another person. What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying and whether the client intends to
act on them.
C. Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
D. Place the client in a group therapy session.
Answer: Ask the client what the voices are saying and whether the client
intends to act on them.
Rationale: Command hallucinations require immediate assessment for
potential harm to self or others.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Recurrent intrusive memories of trauma
B. Persistent excessive worry about multiple areas of life
C. Sudden episodes of intense fear lasting several minutes
D. Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
Answer: Persistent excessive worry about multiple areas of life
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive, difficult-to-control
worry about multiple events or activities.
5. A client is having a panic attack. Which nursing action is best?
A. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
B. Ask the client to identify the cause of the anxiety.
C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Encourage detailed discussion of feelings.
Answer: Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: During severe anxiety, concentration and information processing
are impaired. Remaining with the client and communicating simply promotes
safety and decreases anxiety.
,6. A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea, vomiting, coarse hand
tremors, and confusion. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the next dose with food.
B. Encourage the client to exercise.
C. Hold lithium and notify the healthcare provider.
D. Restrict sodium intake.
Answer: Hold lithium and notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, coarse tremor, and confusion
suggest lithium toxicity, which requires immediate intervention.
7. Which statement by a client taking an SSRI indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I should stop taking it when I feel better.”
B. “I may need several weeks before I notice the full therapeutic effect.”
C. “I should double the dose if I miss one.”
D. “This medication works immediately during panic attacks.”
Answer: “I may need several weeks before I notice the full therapeutic effect.”
Rationale: SSRIs generally require several weeks for significant therapeutic
effects. Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided.
8. A client taking an antidepressant develops agitation, sweating, diarrhea,
fever, and muscle rigidity. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Anticholinergic toxicity
Answer: Serotonin syndrome
, Rationale: Serotonin syndrome can occur with serotonergic medications and
may cause agitation, autonomic instability, gastrointestinal symptoms,
hyperreflexia, and muscular abnormalities.
9. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes the hands
because of fear of contamination. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Immediately prohibit all handwashing.
B. Allow unlimited handwashing.
C. Establish limits while helping the client develop alternative coping strategies.
D. Tell the client that contamination fears are irrational.
Answer: Establish limits while helping the client develop alternative coping
strategies.
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's anxiety without
reinforcing the compulsive behavior and gradually support healthier coping
strategies.
10. Which behavior is most consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder?
A. Persistent elevated mood
B. Flashbacks and avoidance of trauma-related reminders
C. Excessive concern about physical symptoms without findings
D. Repetitive counting rituals
Answer: Flashbacks and avoidance of trauma-related reminders
Rationale: PTSD commonly includes intrusive recollections or flashbacks,
avoidance, negative mood or cognition changes, and hyperarousal.
11. A client with anorexia nervosa has a very low body weight and
bradycardia. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Encourage the client to exercise daily.
B. Monitor cardiovascular status closely.
