NCLEX RN Psychosocial Integrity
Practice Exam 5 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. A client with major depressive disorder says, “My family would be better
off without me.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Your family needs you.”
B. “Why do you think they would be better off without you?”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
D. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
Answer: C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly asking about suicide does not increase suicidal behavior
and is essential for determining immediate safety needs.
2. Which finding is most concerning in a client with depression?
A. Sleeping 10 hours daily
B. Reporting decreased appetite
C. Suddenly appearing cheerful after severe depression
D. Expressing feelings of worthlessness
Answer: C. Suddenly appearing cheerful after severe depression
Rationale: A sudden improvement in mood may indicate that a suicidal client
has developed a plan and feels relieved after deciding to act.
,3. A client experiencing acute mania is pacing, shouting, and interrupting
other clients. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Ask the client to explain the reasons for the behavior.
D. Encourage frequent social interaction.
Answer: B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimulation helps decrease agitation and
supports behavioral control during acute mania.
4. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me to hurt my
roommate.” What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and whether the client intends to act.
C. Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
D. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
Answer: B. Ask what the voices are saying and whether the client intends to
act.
Rationale: Command hallucinations involving harm require immediate
assessment of content, intent, plan, and ability to act.
5. Which statement by a client demonstrates an understanding of cognitive
behavioral therapy?
A. “My therapist will interpret my dreams.”
B. “I will learn to identify and change unhealthy thought patterns.”
C. “My therapist will make decisions for me.”
D. “I will avoid discussing my emotions.”
Answer: B. “I will learn to identify and change unhealthy thought patterns.”
Rationale: Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying maladaptive
thoughts and developing healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.
,6. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is experiencing severe anxiety.
Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Provide lengthy explanations.
B. Encourage the client to make major decisions.
C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Ask the client to participate in a large group discussion.
Answer: C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: Severe anxiety reduces concentration and information-processing
ability. Calm presence and simple communication are therapeutic.
7. Which finding is characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Persistent elevated mood
B. Flashbacks and intrusive memories
C. Grandiose thinking
D. Pressured speech
Answer: B. Flashbacks and intrusive memories
Rationale: PTSD may involve intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks,
avoidance, negative mood changes, and increased arousal following trauma.
8. A client with panic disorder is experiencing a panic attack. What should the
nurse do?
A. Leave the client alone.
B. Encourage rapid breathing.
C. Stay with the client and provide calm reassurance.
D. Ask the client to describe childhood experiences.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and provide calm reassurance.
Rationale: Remaining with the client provides safety and reassurance while
the intense anxiety subsides.
, 9. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A. Punish ritualistic behavior.
B. Encourage gradual reduction of compulsive behaviors.
C. Immediately prevent all rituals.
D. Reinforce avoidance behaviors.
Answer: B. Encourage gradual reduction of compulsive behaviors.
Rationale: Treatment commonly uses exposure and response prevention,
gradually reducing compulsive behaviors while helping the client tolerate
anxiety.
10. A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted with severe malnutrition. What
is the priority nursing assessment?
A. Favorite foods
B. Cardiac status and electrolyte levels
C. Family relationships
D. Educational history
Answer: B. Cardiac status and electrolyte levels
Rationale: Severe malnutrition and electrolyte disturbances can cause life-
threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
11. Which behavior is most characteristic of bulimia nervosa?
A. Restriction without binge episodes
B. Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors
C. Persistent refusal to eat because of psychosis
D. Excessive sleep without food restriction
Answer: B. Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors
Practice Exam 5 100 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.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Your family needs you.”
B. “Why do you think they would be better off without you?”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
D. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
Answer: C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly asking about suicide does not increase suicidal behavior
and is essential for determining immediate safety needs.
2. Which finding is most concerning in a client with depression?
A. Sleeping 10 hours daily
B. Reporting decreased appetite
C. Suddenly appearing cheerful after severe depression
D. Expressing feelings of worthlessness
Answer: C. Suddenly appearing cheerful after severe depression
Rationale: A sudden improvement in mood may indicate that a suicidal client
has developed a plan and feels relieved after deciding to act.
,3. A client experiencing acute mania is pacing, shouting, and interrupting
other clients. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Ask the client to explain the reasons for the behavior.
D. Encourage frequent social interaction.
Answer: B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimulation helps decrease agitation and
supports behavioral control during acute mania.
4. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me to hurt my
roommate.” What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and whether the client intends to act.
C. Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
D. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
Answer: B. Ask what the voices are saying and whether the client intends to
act.
Rationale: Command hallucinations involving harm require immediate
assessment of content, intent, plan, and ability to act.
5. Which statement by a client demonstrates an understanding of cognitive
behavioral therapy?
A. “My therapist will interpret my dreams.”
B. “I will learn to identify and change unhealthy thought patterns.”
C. “My therapist will make decisions for me.”
D. “I will avoid discussing my emotions.”
Answer: B. “I will learn to identify and change unhealthy thought patterns.”
Rationale: Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying maladaptive
thoughts and developing healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.
,6. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is experiencing severe anxiety.
Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Provide lengthy explanations.
B. Encourage the client to make major decisions.
C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Ask the client to participate in a large group discussion.
Answer: C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: Severe anxiety reduces concentration and information-processing
ability. Calm presence and simple communication are therapeutic.
7. Which finding is characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Persistent elevated mood
B. Flashbacks and intrusive memories
C. Grandiose thinking
D. Pressured speech
Answer: B. Flashbacks and intrusive memories
Rationale: PTSD may involve intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks,
avoidance, negative mood changes, and increased arousal following trauma.
8. A client with panic disorder is experiencing a panic attack. What should the
nurse do?
A. Leave the client alone.
B. Encourage rapid breathing.
C. Stay with the client and provide calm reassurance.
D. Ask the client to describe childhood experiences.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and provide calm reassurance.
Rationale: Remaining with the client provides safety and reassurance while
the intense anxiety subsides.
, 9. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A. Punish ritualistic behavior.
B. Encourage gradual reduction of compulsive behaviors.
C. Immediately prevent all rituals.
D. Reinforce avoidance behaviors.
Answer: B. Encourage gradual reduction of compulsive behaviors.
Rationale: Treatment commonly uses exposure and response prevention,
gradually reducing compulsive behaviors while helping the client tolerate
anxiety.
10. A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted with severe malnutrition. What
is the priority nursing assessment?
A. Favorite foods
B. Cardiac status and electrolyte levels
C. Family relationships
D. Educational history
Answer: B. Cardiac status and electrolyte levels
Rationale: Severe malnutrition and electrolyte disturbances can cause life-
threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
11. Which behavior is most characteristic of bulimia nervosa?
A. Restriction without binge episodes
B. Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors
C. Persistent refusal to eat because of psychosis
D. Excessive sleep without food restriction
Answer: B. Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors
