NCLEX RN Psychosocial Integrity
Practice Exam 1 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A client tells the nurse, “I feel like everyone would be better off without me.”
What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. “Why do you feel that way?”
D. “You need to discuss these feelings with your family.”
Answer: B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly assessing suicidal thoughts is the priority. Asking about
suicide does not increase suicidal behavior and allows the nurse to determine
immediate safety needs.
Question 2
A client experiencing acute mania is pacing, talking rapidly, and interrupting
other clients. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide lengthy explanations of unit rules.
C. Reduce environmental stimuli.
D. Allow unlimited physical activity.
,Answer: C. Reduce environmental stimuli.
Rationale: A low-stimulation environment helps decrease agitation and
prevents escalation in a client experiencing mania.
Question 3
A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me that I am evil.”
Which response by the nurse is best?
A. “The voices are real, so you should listen to them.”
B. “I don't hear the voices, but I understand that they are frightening.”
C. “You should ignore the voices.”
D. “What did the voices tell you to do?”
Answer: B. “I don't hear the voices, but I understand that they are
frightening.”
Rationale: The nurse acknowledges the client’s feelings without validating
the hallucination as reality.
Question 4
Which finding is most characteristic of major depressive disorder?
A. Elevated mood
B. Decreased need for sleep with increased energy
C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest
D. Grandiose thinking
Answer: C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest
Rationale: Depressed mood and anhedonia are core features of major
depressive disorder.
Question 5
,A client is prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which finding requires
immediate nursing attention?
A. Mild thirst
B. Fine hand tremor
C. Severe diarrhea and vomiting
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Severe diarrhea and vomiting
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms can indicate lithium toxicity,
which requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
Question 6
A client experiencing a panic attack reports chest tightness and difficulty
breathing. What should the nurse do first?
A. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
B. Ask the client to describe childhood stressors.
C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: During severe anxiety, the client has difficulty processing
information. Staying with the client provides safety and using simple
statements promotes communication.
Question 7
Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Encourage the client to avoid discussing the trauma permanently.
B. Establish safety and provide emotional support.
C. Challenge all memories of the traumatic event.
D. Encourage isolation until symptoms resolve.
, Answer: B. Establish safety and provide emotional support.
Rationale: Safety, trust, stabilization, and supportive communication are
essential components of PTSD care.
Question 8
A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted with severe malnutrition. Which
assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Lanugo
B. Bradycardia
C. Dry skin
D. Hypothermia
Answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Significant bradycardia can indicate cardiovascular compromise
associated with severe malnutrition and requires close monitoring.
Question 9
A client with bulimia nervosa reports frequent vomiting. Which laboratory
finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Repeated vomiting can cause loss of potassium and hydrogen ions,
resulting in hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
Question 10
Practice Exam 1 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
A client tells the nurse, “I feel like everyone would be better off without me.”
What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. “Why do you feel that way?”
D. “You need to discuss these feelings with your family.”
Answer: B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly assessing suicidal thoughts is the priority. Asking about
suicide does not increase suicidal behavior and allows the nurse to determine
immediate safety needs.
Question 2
A client experiencing acute mania is pacing, talking rapidly, and interrupting
other clients. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide lengthy explanations of unit rules.
C. Reduce environmental stimuli.
D. Allow unlimited physical activity.
,Answer: C. Reduce environmental stimuli.
Rationale: A low-stimulation environment helps decrease agitation and
prevents escalation in a client experiencing mania.
Question 3
A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me that I am evil.”
Which response by the nurse is best?
A. “The voices are real, so you should listen to them.”
B. “I don't hear the voices, but I understand that they are frightening.”
C. “You should ignore the voices.”
D. “What did the voices tell you to do?”
Answer: B. “I don't hear the voices, but I understand that they are
frightening.”
Rationale: The nurse acknowledges the client’s feelings without validating
the hallucination as reality.
Question 4
Which finding is most characteristic of major depressive disorder?
A. Elevated mood
B. Decreased need for sleep with increased energy
C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest
D. Grandiose thinking
Answer: C. Persistent sadness and loss of interest
Rationale: Depressed mood and anhedonia are core features of major
depressive disorder.
Question 5
,A client is prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which finding requires
immediate nursing attention?
A. Mild thirst
B. Fine hand tremor
C. Severe diarrhea and vomiting
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Severe diarrhea and vomiting
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms can indicate lithium toxicity,
which requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
Question 6
A client experiencing a panic attack reports chest tightness and difficulty
breathing. What should the nurse do first?
A. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
B. Ask the client to describe childhood stressors.
C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: During severe anxiety, the client has difficulty processing
information. Staying with the client provides safety and using simple
statements promotes communication.
Question 7
Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Encourage the client to avoid discussing the trauma permanently.
B. Establish safety and provide emotional support.
C. Challenge all memories of the traumatic event.
D. Encourage isolation until symptoms resolve.
, Answer: B. Establish safety and provide emotional support.
Rationale: Safety, trust, stabilization, and supportive communication are
essential components of PTSD care.
Question 8
A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted with severe malnutrition. Which
assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Lanugo
B. Bradycardia
C. Dry skin
D. Hypothermia
Answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Significant bradycardia can indicate cardiovascular compromise
associated with severe malnutrition and requires close monitoring.
Question 9
A client with bulimia nervosa reports frequent vomiting. Which laboratory
finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Repeated vomiting can cause loss of potassium and hydrogen ions,
resulting in hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
Question 10
