1. Which of the following is the primary goal of psychiatric nursing
care?
A) To provide medication management
B) To ensure that patients follow their treatment plan
C) To improve the patient's mental health functioning and quality of life
D) To conduct psychological testing
Answer: C) To improve the patient's mental health functioning and
quality of life
Rationale: The primary goal of psychiatric nursing is to improve the
mental health and functioning of patients. Nurses focus on supporting
patients' emotional, social, and psychological needs to promote
recovery, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life. Medication
management and treatment adherence are part of the care process but
are not the primary focus.
2. A patient with schizophrenia is expressing paranoid thoughts and
believes that the staff is trying to harm him. The nurse’s best response
is:
A) “You are just being paranoid; no one is trying to harm you.”
B) “I understand that you feel unsafe, but we are here to help you.”
C) “That’s not true, no one is going to hurt you.”
D) “You need to stop thinking these thoughts because they are not
real.”
Answer: B) “I understand that you feel unsafe, but we are here to help
you.”
Rationale: A therapeutic response acknowledges the patient's feelings
of fear and paranoia, which are common in schizophrenia, without
,reinforcing or challenging the delusion. The nurse offers reassurance
that the staff is there to provide support. Denying or confronting the
delusion may cause increased anxiety or defensive behavior in the
patient.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with depression who expresses
feelings of hopelessness. Which of the following actions should the
nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage the patient to engage in group therapy
B) Explore the patient’s past coping strategies
C) Assess the patient for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
D) Suggest the patient get more rest to improve mood
Answer: C) Assess the patient for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Rationale: Hopelessness is a common symptom of depression and is a
key indicator of increased risk for suicide. The nurse’s priority is to
assess the patient for suicidal ideation, plan, and intent to ensure
safety. While other interventions (such as encouraging therapy or
discussing coping strategies) are important, safety is the highest priority.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD). Which of the following symptoms is most consistent with GAD?
A) Persistent worry and tension about multiple life situations
B) Episodes of intense fear and dread that occur suddenly
C) Intrusive thoughts related to trauma experiences
D) Recurrent periods of elevated mood and increased energy
Answer: A) Persistent worry and tension about multiple life situations
,Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by chronic and
excessive worry about various aspects of life (e.g., work, health, social
interactions), often without a clear or realistic reason for concern. This
worry is present most days for at least six months. Other options
describe symptoms of panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), or bipolar disorder.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting signs of a manic
episode. Which of the following interventions would be most
appropriate?
A) Encourage the patient to socialize with other patients
B) Set limits on excessive spending and impulsive behavior
C) Provide stimulating activities to match the patient’s energy
D) Allow the patient to stay up late and engage in high-energy activities
Answer: B) Set limits on excessive spending and impulsive behavior
Rationale: During a manic episode, patients may engage in risky or
impulsive behaviors such as excessive spending or making poor
decisions. The nurse should set clear limits and boundaries while
maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor. Stimulating activities or
encouraging socialization can exacerbate mania, and allowing late-night
activities could worsen the patient's condition.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). The patient is performing repetitive handwashing rituals.
Which of the following actions is most appropriate?
A) Ignore the behavior and allow the patient to continue the rituals
B) Challenge the patient to stop the behavior immediately
, C) Acknowledge the patient's anxiety and gently set limits on the
behavior
D) Provide praise for completing the rituals successfully
Answer: C) Acknowledge the patient's anxiety and gently set limits on
the behavior
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the patient's anxiety and
recognize the compulsive behavior without reinforcing it. Gently setting
limits helps reduce the impact of the rituals and promotes a sense of
control. Challenging the behavior too abruptly or ignoring it may
increase anxiety and hinder the therapeutic relationship.
7. Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient with
anorexia nervosa?
A) Encourage the patient to exercise regularly
B) Focus on the patient’s weight as the main treatment goal
C) Monitor the patient’s vital signs and electrolyte levels
D) Engage the patient in group therapy to increase socialization
Answer: C) Monitor the patient’s vital signs and electrolyte levels
Rationale: Patients with anorexia nervosa often have nutritional
deficiencies and may be at risk for electrolyte imbalances, dehydration,
and other life-threatening complications. The priority is to monitor vital
signs and electrolytes to prevent complications. Focusing solely on
weight or encouraging exercise is inappropriate at this stage of
treatment.
care?
A) To provide medication management
B) To ensure that patients follow their treatment plan
C) To improve the patient's mental health functioning and quality of life
D) To conduct psychological testing
Answer: C) To improve the patient's mental health functioning and
quality of life
Rationale: The primary goal of psychiatric nursing is to improve the
mental health and functioning of patients. Nurses focus on supporting
patients' emotional, social, and psychological needs to promote
recovery, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life. Medication
management and treatment adherence are part of the care process but
are not the primary focus.
2. A patient with schizophrenia is expressing paranoid thoughts and
believes that the staff is trying to harm him. The nurse’s best response
is:
A) “You are just being paranoid; no one is trying to harm you.”
B) “I understand that you feel unsafe, but we are here to help you.”
C) “That’s not true, no one is going to hurt you.”
D) “You need to stop thinking these thoughts because they are not
real.”
Answer: B) “I understand that you feel unsafe, but we are here to help
you.”
Rationale: A therapeutic response acknowledges the patient's feelings
of fear and paranoia, which are common in schizophrenia, without
,reinforcing or challenging the delusion. The nurse offers reassurance
that the staff is there to provide support. Denying or confronting the
delusion may cause increased anxiety or defensive behavior in the
patient.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with depression who expresses
feelings of hopelessness. Which of the following actions should the
nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage the patient to engage in group therapy
B) Explore the patient’s past coping strategies
C) Assess the patient for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
D) Suggest the patient get more rest to improve mood
Answer: C) Assess the patient for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Rationale: Hopelessness is a common symptom of depression and is a
key indicator of increased risk for suicide. The nurse’s priority is to
assess the patient for suicidal ideation, plan, and intent to ensure
safety. While other interventions (such as encouraging therapy or
discussing coping strategies) are important, safety is the highest priority.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD). Which of the following symptoms is most consistent with GAD?
A) Persistent worry and tension about multiple life situations
B) Episodes of intense fear and dread that occur suddenly
C) Intrusive thoughts related to trauma experiences
D) Recurrent periods of elevated mood and increased energy
Answer: A) Persistent worry and tension about multiple life situations
,Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by chronic and
excessive worry about various aspects of life (e.g., work, health, social
interactions), often without a clear or realistic reason for concern. This
worry is present most days for at least six months. Other options
describe symptoms of panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), or bipolar disorder.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting signs of a manic
episode. Which of the following interventions would be most
appropriate?
A) Encourage the patient to socialize with other patients
B) Set limits on excessive spending and impulsive behavior
C) Provide stimulating activities to match the patient’s energy
D) Allow the patient to stay up late and engage in high-energy activities
Answer: B) Set limits on excessive spending and impulsive behavior
Rationale: During a manic episode, patients may engage in risky or
impulsive behaviors such as excessive spending or making poor
decisions. The nurse should set clear limits and boundaries while
maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor. Stimulating activities or
encouraging socialization can exacerbate mania, and allowing late-night
activities could worsen the patient's condition.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). The patient is performing repetitive handwashing rituals.
Which of the following actions is most appropriate?
A) Ignore the behavior and allow the patient to continue the rituals
B) Challenge the patient to stop the behavior immediately
, C) Acknowledge the patient's anxiety and gently set limits on the
behavior
D) Provide praise for completing the rituals successfully
Answer: C) Acknowledge the patient's anxiety and gently set limits on
the behavior
Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the patient's anxiety and
recognize the compulsive behavior without reinforcing it. Gently setting
limits helps reduce the impact of the rituals and promotes a sense of
control. Challenging the behavior too abruptly or ignoring it may
increase anxiety and hinder the therapeutic relationship.
7. Which of the following is a priority intervention for a patient with
anorexia nervosa?
A) Encourage the patient to exercise regularly
B) Focus on the patient’s weight as the main treatment goal
C) Monitor the patient’s vital signs and electrolyte levels
D) Engage the patient in group therapy to increase socialization
Answer: C) Monitor the patient’s vital signs and electrolyte levels
Rationale: Patients with anorexia nervosa often have nutritional
deficiencies and may be at risk for electrolyte imbalances, dehydration,
and other life-threatening complications. The priority is to monitor vital
signs and electrolytes to prevent complications. Focusing solely on
weight or encouraging exercise is inappropriate at this stage of
treatment.
