1. 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.
2. What is the priority nursing intervention for a client with
suicidal ideation?
A. Establish a no-suicide contract
B. Administer antidepressant medication
C. Conduct a thorough risk assessment
D. Monitor the client for changes in behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Conducting a risk assessment is the first step in
determining the severity of the client’s suicidal ideation and planning
appropriate interventions.
3. 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.
4. Which statement indicates that a client with bipolar
disorder understands their medication regimen?
A. "I will stop taking my lithium when I feel better."
B. "I need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
C. "I can increase my lithium dose if I feel stressed."
,D. "I should take lithium on an empty stomach."
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular blood level monitoring is essential for clients
taking lithium to prevent toxicity.
5. A client with PTSD states, “I feel like I’m reliving the
trauma all over again.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Try to think about something else.”
B. “Can you tell me more about what you’re experiencing?”
C. “Those feelings are not real; you are safe now.”
D. “Let’s focus on relaxation techniques instead.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to describe their experience
provides an opportunity for assessment and validation, which can
help in managing symptoms.
6. 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.
7. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is primarily associated
with depression?
A. Increased dopamine
B. Decreased serotonin
C. Increased acetylcholine
D. Decreased glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: A deficiency in serotonin is closely linked to the
development of depressive symptoms.
8. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client
experiencing auditory hallucinations?
, A. Encourage the client to engage in reality-based activities
B. Explain that the hallucinations are not real
C. Suggest that the client ignore the voices
D. Avoid discussing the hallucinations
Answer: A
Rationale: Engaging in reality-based activities helps reduce the
focus on hallucinations.
9. A client taking benzodiazepines reports drowsiness. What
should the nurse recommend?
A. Stop taking the medication
B. Take the medication at bedtime
C. Take the medication with caffeine
D. Split the dose into smaller, frequent doses
Answer: B
Rationale: Taking benzodiazepines at bedtime can help manage
drowsiness and improve sleep.
10. A client in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is highly
agitated. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Encourage group participation
B. Reduce environmental stimuli
C. Discuss the client’s behavior
D. Provide detailed instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimuli helps prevent further
escalation of agitation.
11. Which intervention is most effective for a client with
dissociative identity disorder (DID)?
A. Encourage the client to adopt a single identity
B. Help the client identify triggers for dissociation
C. Discourage exploration of traumatic memories
D. Provide a structured environment with minimal stimulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Identifying triggers allows the client to develop coping
strategies and reduce dissociative episodes.
12. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with panic disorder.
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.
2. What is the priority nursing intervention for a client with
suicidal ideation?
A. Establish a no-suicide contract
B. Administer antidepressant medication
C. Conduct a thorough risk assessment
D. Monitor the client for changes in behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: Conducting a risk assessment is the first step in
determining the severity of the client’s suicidal ideation and planning
appropriate interventions.
3. 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.
4. Which statement indicates that a client with bipolar
disorder understands their medication regimen?
A. "I will stop taking my lithium when I feel better."
B. "I need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
C. "I can increase my lithium dose if I feel stressed."
,D. "I should take lithium on an empty stomach."
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular blood level monitoring is essential for clients
taking lithium to prevent toxicity.
5. A client with PTSD states, “I feel like I’m reliving the
trauma all over again.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Try to think about something else.”
B. “Can you tell me more about what you’re experiencing?”
C. “Those feelings are not real; you are safe now.”
D. “Let’s focus on relaxation techniques instead.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to describe their experience
provides an opportunity for assessment and validation, which can
help in managing symptoms.
6. 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.
7. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is primarily associated
with depression?
A. Increased dopamine
B. Decreased serotonin
C. Increased acetylcholine
D. Decreased glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: A deficiency in serotonin is closely linked to the
development of depressive symptoms.
8. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client
experiencing auditory hallucinations?
, A. Encourage the client to engage in reality-based activities
B. Explain that the hallucinations are not real
C. Suggest that the client ignore the voices
D. Avoid discussing the hallucinations
Answer: A
Rationale: Engaging in reality-based activities helps reduce the
focus on hallucinations.
9. A client taking benzodiazepines reports drowsiness. What
should the nurse recommend?
A. Stop taking the medication
B. Take the medication at bedtime
C. Take the medication with caffeine
D. Split the dose into smaller, frequent doses
Answer: B
Rationale: Taking benzodiazepines at bedtime can help manage
drowsiness and improve sleep.
10. A client in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is highly
agitated. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Encourage group participation
B. Reduce environmental stimuli
C. Discuss the client’s behavior
D. Provide detailed instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimuli helps prevent further
escalation of agitation.
11. Which intervention is most effective for a client with
dissociative identity disorder (DID)?
A. Encourage the client to adopt a single identity
B. Help the client identify triggers for dissociation
C. Discourage exploration of traumatic memories
D. Provide a structured environment with minimal stimulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Identifying triggers allows the client to develop coping
strategies and reduce dissociative episodes.
12. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with panic disorder.
