1. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed
alprazolam. Which teaching point is essential?
A. "This medication must be taken on an empty stomach."
B. "Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you."
C. "Stop taking the medication as soon as your symptoms improve."
D. "You can safely drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness and impair
coordination, so clients should avoid activities requiring alertness
until they understand the medication's effects.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with PTSD. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Euphoria
B. Hypervigilance
C. Apathy
D. Decreased startle response
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypervigilance, or an exaggerated sense of alertness to
potential threats, is a common symptom of PTSD.
3. Which of the following is an expected finding in a client
with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A. Flashbacks
B. Panic attacks
C. Ritualistic behaviors
D. Illogical thinking
Answer: C
Rationale: Ritualistic behaviors are repetitive actions performed to
reduce anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts.
4. A client with antisocial personality disorder is manipulative
and often violates unit rules. Which approach is most effective?
A. Use logical persuasion to encourage compliance
B. Establish clear consequences for rule-breaking
C. Ignore manipulative behavior to reduce attention-seeking
D. Encourage the client to express feelings
,Answer: B
Rationale: Setting firm limits and consistently applying
consequences is essential when working with clients who exhibit
manipulative behaviors.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with conversion disorder. What
is an expected finding?
A. Reports of pain without a physiological basis
B. Neurological symptoms inconsistent with medical findings
C. Preoccupation with having a serious illness
D. Exaggerated fear of developing a medical condition
Answer: B
Rationale: Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms
(e.g., paralysis, blindness) that lack a medical explanation.
6. A client with somatic symptom disorder frequently requests
diagnostic tests. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Schedule the tests to reassure the client
B. Limit discussions about physical complaints
C. Encourage the client to keep a symptom journal
D. Focus on building a therapeutic relationship
Answer: D
Rationale: Establishing trust is essential in addressing underlying
emotional issues and reducing somatic complaints.
7. A client taking lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder
reports nausea and hand tremors. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Reassure the client these are expected side effects
B. Hold the next dose of lithium
C. Check the client’s serum lithium level
D. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
Answer: C
Rationale: Nausea and tremors can indicate lithium toxicity. Serum
levels should be assessed to determine the appropriate course of
action.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality
disorder who exhibits self-harm behaviors. Which nursing
, action is appropriate?
A. Offer sympathy when the client self-harms
B. Encourage the client to join a support group
C. Establish clear professional boundaries
D. Focus on the reasons for the self-harming behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining clear professional boundaries helps provide
structure and stability, which are essential for clients with borderline
personality disorder.
9. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed
buspirone. When should the nurse inform the client that the
medication will begin to take effect?
A. Immediately
B. 3-4 days
C. 1-2 weeks
D. 4-6 weeks
Answer: C
Rationale: Buspirone typically begins to take effect in 1-2 weeks, but
full therapeutic effects may take several weeks.
10. A nurse is planning care for a client experiencing anxiety.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client relaxation techniques
B. Explore the client’s past coping mechanisms
C. Stay with the client
D. Administer prescribed anti-anxiety medication
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client experiencing
anxiety is to ensure safety and offer emotional support by staying
with the client. Other interventions can follow after the immediate
distress is addressed.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in the
manic phase. Which dietary option is most appropriate for this
client?
A. A low-sodium diet
B. Finger foods such as sandwiches
C. High-fiber meals
alprazolam. Which teaching point is essential?
A. "This medication must be taken on an empty stomach."
B. "Avoid driving until you know how the medication affects you."
C. "Stop taking the medication as soon as your symptoms improve."
D. "You can safely drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines can cause drowsiness and impair
coordination, so clients should avoid activities requiring alertness
until they understand the medication's effects.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with PTSD. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Euphoria
B. Hypervigilance
C. Apathy
D. Decreased startle response
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypervigilance, or an exaggerated sense of alertness to
potential threats, is a common symptom of PTSD.
3. Which of the following is an expected finding in a client
with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A. Flashbacks
B. Panic attacks
C. Ritualistic behaviors
D. Illogical thinking
Answer: C
Rationale: Ritualistic behaviors are repetitive actions performed to
reduce anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts.
4. A client with antisocial personality disorder is manipulative
and often violates unit rules. Which approach is most effective?
A. Use logical persuasion to encourage compliance
B. Establish clear consequences for rule-breaking
C. Ignore manipulative behavior to reduce attention-seeking
D. Encourage the client to express feelings
,Answer: B
Rationale: Setting firm limits and consistently applying
consequences is essential when working with clients who exhibit
manipulative behaviors.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with conversion disorder. What
is an expected finding?
A. Reports of pain without a physiological basis
B. Neurological symptoms inconsistent with medical findings
C. Preoccupation with having a serious illness
D. Exaggerated fear of developing a medical condition
Answer: B
Rationale: Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms
(e.g., paralysis, blindness) that lack a medical explanation.
6. A client with somatic symptom disorder frequently requests
diagnostic tests. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Schedule the tests to reassure the client
B. Limit discussions about physical complaints
C. Encourage the client to keep a symptom journal
D. Focus on building a therapeutic relationship
Answer: D
Rationale: Establishing trust is essential in addressing underlying
emotional issues and reducing somatic complaints.
7. A client taking lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder
reports nausea and hand tremors. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Reassure the client these are expected side effects
B. Hold the next dose of lithium
C. Check the client’s serum lithium level
D. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
Answer: C
Rationale: Nausea and tremors can indicate lithium toxicity. Serum
levels should be assessed to determine the appropriate course of
action.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality
disorder who exhibits self-harm behaviors. Which nursing
, action is appropriate?
A. Offer sympathy when the client self-harms
B. Encourage the client to join a support group
C. Establish clear professional boundaries
D. Focus on the reasons for the self-harming behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining clear professional boundaries helps provide
structure and stability, which are essential for clients with borderline
personality disorder.
9. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed
buspirone. When should the nurse inform the client that the
medication will begin to take effect?
A. Immediately
B. 3-4 days
C. 1-2 weeks
D. 4-6 weeks
Answer: C
Rationale: Buspirone typically begins to take effect in 1-2 weeks, but
full therapeutic effects may take several weeks.
10. A nurse is planning care for a client experiencing anxiety.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client relaxation techniques
B. Explore the client’s past coping mechanisms
C. Stay with the client
D. Administer prescribed anti-anxiety medication
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client experiencing
anxiety is to ensure safety and offer emotional support by staying
with the client. Other interventions can follow after the immediate
distress is addressed.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in the
manic phase. Which dietary option is most appropriate for this
client?
A. A low-sodium diet
B. Finger foods such as sandwiches
C. High-fiber meals
