,NSG 221 Exam 3 | Mental Health Nursing (2026)
Q&A | Herzing University
1. Which level of anxiety is characterized by restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty
sleeping, and hypersensitivity to noise?
A) Mild
B) Moderate
C) Severe
D) Panic
Correct Answer: Mild
Rationale: Mild anxiety sharpens the senses and increases alertness, producing
restlessness, fidgeting, GI "butterflies," difficulty sleeping, and hypersensitivity to
noise. Teaching is effective at this level because the perceptual field remains
broad. Moderate, severe, and panic levels involve progressively narrower
perceptual fields and greater physiological arousal.
2. A client paces, has muscle tension, diaphoresis, and a pounding pulse, and needs
redirection to complete tasks. Which level of anxiety is present?
A) Mild
B) Moderate
C) Severe
D) Panic
Correct Answer: Moderate
,Rationale: Moderate anxiety produces muscle tension, diaphoresis, pounding
pulse, headache, dry mouth, GI upset, and frequent urination, along with a
narrowed perceptual field that requires short sentences and redirection. Mild
anxiety does not require redirection, and severe and panic anxiety cause greater
disorganization.
3. Which nursing intervention is the priority during a panic attack?
A) Teaching deep breathing techniques step by step
B) Ensuring safety and staying with the client
C) Encouraging exploration of childhood experiences
D) Asking the client to make a list of fears
Correct Answer: Ensuring safety and staying with the client
Rationale: During panic-level anxiety, the client may bolt and run, become
immobile and mute, or exhibit fight, flight, or freeze responses. Safety is the
priority, and the nurse stays with the client, uses short simple sentences, and
lowers environmental stimuli. Teaching, exploring childhood experiences, and list-
making are not effective at panic level.
4. What is the goal of treatment for anxiety disorders?
A) Total elimination of all anxiety
B) Effective management of stress and anxiety
C) Complete avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
D) Long-term sedative use
Correct Answer: Effective management of stress and anxiety
, Rationale: The outcome goal for anxiety disorders is effective management of
stress and anxiety, not total elimination of anxiety, because anxiety is a normal
human experience. Avoidance and long-term sedative use are not treatment goals
and can worsen functioning.
5. Which characteristic is consistent with panic disorder?
A) Chronic, low-level worry lasting most days for six months
B) Discrete episodes of intense fear lasting 15 to 30 minutes
C) Fear of leaving the house only
D) Repetitive intrusive thoughts
Correct Answer: Discrete episodes of intense fear lasting 15 to 30 minutes
Rationale: Panic disorder consists of discrete panic attacks, typically 15 to 30
minutes of rapid, intense, escalating anxiety with great emotional fear and
physiological discomfort. Chronic low-level worry suggests generalized anxiety
disorder, fear of leaving the house suggests agoraphobia, and intrusive thoughts
suggest OCD.
6. Which treatment approach is first-line for panic disorder?
A) Antipsychotic medication alone
B) Cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing, and relaxation
C) Long-term benzodiazepine monotherapy
D) Electroconvulsive therapy
Correct Answer: Cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing, and relaxation
Q&A | Herzing University
1. Which level of anxiety is characterized by restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty
sleeping, and hypersensitivity to noise?
A) Mild
B) Moderate
C) Severe
D) Panic
Correct Answer: Mild
Rationale: Mild anxiety sharpens the senses and increases alertness, producing
restlessness, fidgeting, GI "butterflies," difficulty sleeping, and hypersensitivity to
noise. Teaching is effective at this level because the perceptual field remains
broad. Moderate, severe, and panic levels involve progressively narrower
perceptual fields and greater physiological arousal.
2. A client paces, has muscle tension, diaphoresis, and a pounding pulse, and needs
redirection to complete tasks. Which level of anxiety is present?
A) Mild
B) Moderate
C) Severe
D) Panic
Correct Answer: Moderate
,Rationale: Moderate anxiety produces muscle tension, diaphoresis, pounding
pulse, headache, dry mouth, GI upset, and frequent urination, along with a
narrowed perceptual field that requires short sentences and redirection. Mild
anxiety does not require redirection, and severe and panic anxiety cause greater
disorganization.
3. Which nursing intervention is the priority during a panic attack?
A) Teaching deep breathing techniques step by step
B) Ensuring safety and staying with the client
C) Encouraging exploration of childhood experiences
D) Asking the client to make a list of fears
Correct Answer: Ensuring safety and staying with the client
Rationale: During panic-level anxiety, the client may bolt and run, become
immobile and mute, or exhibit fight, flight, or freeze responses. Safety is the
priority, and the nurse stays with the client, uses short simple sentences, and
lowers environmental stimuli. Teaching, exploring childhood experiences, and list-
making are not effective at panic level.
4. What is the goal of treatment for anxiety disorders?
A) Total elimination of all anxiety
B) Effective management of stress and anxiety
C) Complete avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
D) Long-term sedative use
Correct Answer: Effective management of stress and anxiety
, Rationale: The outcome goal for anxiety disorders is effective management of
stress and anxiety, not total elimination of anxiety, because anxiety is a normal
human experience. Avoidance and long-term sedative use are not treatment goals
and can worsen functioning.
5. Which characteristic is consistent with panic disorder?
A) Chronic, low-level worry lasting most days for six months
B) Discrete episodes of intense fear lasting 15 to 30 minutes
C) Fear of leaving the house only
D) Repetitive intrusive thoughts
Correct Answer: Discrete episodes of intense fear lasting 15 to 30 minutes
Rationale: Panic disorder consists of discrete panic attacks, typically 15 to 30
minutes of rapid, intense, escalating anxiety with great emotional fear and
physiological discomfort. Chronic low-level worry suggests generalized anxiety
disorder, fear of leaving the house suggests agoraphobia, and intrusive thoughts
suggest OCD.
6. Which treatment approach is first-line for panic disorder?
A) Antipsychotic medication alone
B) Cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing, and relaxation
C) Long-term benzodiazepine monotherapy
D) Electroconvulsive therapy
Correct Answer: Cognitive behavioral therapy, deep breathing, and relaxation
