,Ace Psychiatric Nursing in 2025 | Topical
Test Bank Based on the 11th Edition
Includes High-Quality NCLEX-Style MCQs per Chapter with
100% Correct Answers and Concise Rationales
Table of Contents for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based
Practice, 10th Edition by Townsend & Morgan:
I. Basic Concepts in Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
1. The Concept of Stress Adaptation
2. Mental Health and Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts
II. Foundations for Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
3. Concepts of Psychobiology
4. Psychopharmacology
5. Ethical and Legal Issues
III. Therapeutic Approaches in Psychiatric Nursing Care
6. Relationship Development
7. Therapeutic Communication
8. The Nursing Process in Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
9. Therapeutic Groups
10. Intervention with Families
11. Milieu Therapy—The Therapeutic Community
12. Crisis Intervention
13. Assertiveness Training
14. Promoting Self-Esteem
15. Anger and Aggression Management
, 16. Suicide Prevention
17. Behavior Therapy
18. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
19. Electroconvulsive Therapy
20. The Recovery Model
IV. Nursing Care of Patients with Alterations in Psychosocial Adaptation
21. Caring for Patients with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders in General Practice
Settings
22. Neurocognitive Disorders
23. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
24. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
25. Depressive Disorders
26. Bipolar and Related Disorders
27. Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders
28. Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
29. Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders
30. Eating Disorders
31. Personality Disorders
V. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing of Special Populations
32. Children and Adolescents
33. The Aging Individual
34. Survivors of Abuse or Neglect
35. Community Mental Health Nursing
36. The Bereaved Individual
37. Military Families
38. Appendices & Additional Resources
A. Answers to Chapter Review and Clinical Judgment Questions
, B. Examples of Answers to Communication Exercises
C. Mental Status Assessment
Glossary
Index
eBook Bonus Chapters
38. Theoretical Models of Personality Development
39. Cultural and Spiritual Concepts Relevant to Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
40. Complementary and Psychosocial Therapies
41. Relaxation Therapy
42. Issues Related to Human Sexuality and Gender Dysphoria
43. Forensic Nursing
,Chapter 1 – The Concept of Stress Adaptation (10th ed.,
Townsend & Morgan).
Objectives (6 Questions)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary
objective of Chapter 1 “The Concept of Stress
Adaptation”?
A. To outline diagnostic criteria for stress-related disorders
B. To explore pharmacologic interventions for stress
C. To define stress and present models of adaptation ✔
D. To compare stress responses across psychiatric
diagnoses
Rationale: Chapter 1 focuses on defining stress and
introducing adaptation models rather than diagnosis or
pharmacology.
Subtopic: Objectives
2. An essential learning outcome of this chapter is to enable
the student to:
A. Prescribe anxiolytics appropriately
B. Apply the transactional model of stress in care planning
✔
C. Identify only biological markers of stress
D. Differentiate personality disorders
Rationale: One core objective is application of stress-
transaction concepts, not medication prescribing or
diagnosing personality disorders.
Subtopic: Objectives
,3. Which statement aligns with the chapter’s aim regarding
stress management?
A. Stress management is purely an individual’s
responsibility
B. Stress management requires understanding stress
definitions and models ✔
C. Stress management should rely only on cognitive
therapies
D. Stress management is best taught in group settings only
Rationale: The chapter emphasizes understanding
definitions and models as a foundation for management.
Subtopic: Objectives
4. A student meets the chapter objective of distinguishing
stress as an environmental event when they:
A. Describe the physiological fight-or-flight response
B. Identify job loss as an external stressor ✔
C. Explain appraisal processes
D. Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Recognizing external stressors (e.g., job loss)
reflects understanding stress as an environmental event.
Subtopic: Objectives
5. One of the chapter objectives is to help students:
A. Understand the role of neurotransmitters exclusively
B. Define stress across biological, environmental, and
transactional perspectives ✔
C. Focus solely on pharmacologic interventions
, D. Differentiate between acute and chronic pain
Rationale: Objectives include defining stress from multiple
perspectives, not just biology or pharmacology.
Subtopic: Objectives
6. Which objective relates directly to stress as a transaction
between individual and environment?
A. Learning to measure cortisol levels
B. Recognizing how perception influences stress response
✔
C. Memorizing environmental stressor lists
D. Understanding medication side effects
Rationale: The transactional model emphasizes perception
(appraisal) influencing response.
Subtopic: Objectives
Stress as a Biological Response (6 Questions)
7. The “fight-or-flight” response involves activation of the:
A. Parasympathetic nervous system
B. Somatic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system ✔
D. Central nervous system only
Rationale: Acute stress triggers the sympathetic system
for rapid mobilization of energy.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
,8. Which hormone is released by the adrenal cortex during
prolonged stress?
A. Epinephrine
B. Cortisol ✔
C. Norepinephrine
D. Dopamine
Rationale: Cortisol is secreted during the HPA-axis
response to sustained stress.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
9. Allostasis refers to:
A. A singular stress response
B. The process of maintaining stability through change ✔
C. Chronic physiological damage
D. A maladaptive coping mechanism
Rationale: Allostasis is the body’s adaptive process to
achieve stability under stress.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
10. In the General Adaptation Syndrome, the resistance
stage is characterized by:
A. Energy conservation and recovery ✔
B. Exhaustion of resources
C. Immediate fight-or-flight activation
D. Permanent homeostasis
Rationale: During resistance, the body attempts to cope
and adapt, conserving resources.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
, 11. Chronic elevation of cortisol can lead to:
A. Enhanced immune function
B. Increased bone density
C. Immunosuppression ✔
D. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Prolonged cortisol exposure suppresses
immune function and increases glucose levels.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
12. Which structure in the brain initiates the HPA axis
during stress?
A. Hippocampus
B. Hypothalamus ✔
C. Amygdala
D. Medulla oblongata
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes CRH, starting the
HPA-axis cascade.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
Stress as an Environmental Event (6 Questions)
13. An example of an environmental stressor is:
A. Genetic predisposition
B. Workplace harassment ✔
C. Negative self-talk
D. Physiologic disease
Rationale: Environmental stressors originate outside the
, person, such as harassment.
Subtopic: Stress as an Environmental Event
14. Which term describes events that are predictable
but unavoidable, like retirement?
A. Developmental stressors ✔
B. Situational stressors
C. Physiological stressors
D. Psychological stressors
Rationale: Developmental stressors occur across the
lifespan as part of growth.
Subtopic: Stress as an Environmental Event
15. A hurricane striking a coastal town is best classified
as a:
A. Situational stressor ✔
B. Developmental stressor
C. Biological stressor
D. Transactional stressor
Rationale: Situational stressors are unpredictable events
such as natural disasters.
Subtopic: Stress as an Environmental Event
16. Which of the following is NOT an environmental
stressor?
A. Air pollution
B. Peer support ✔
C. Social isolation
D. Traffic congestion
Test Bank Based on the 11th Edition
Includes High-Quality NCLEX-Style MCQs per Chapter with
100% Correct Answers and Concise Rationales
Table of Contents for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based
Practice, 10th Edition by Townsend & Morgan:
I. Basic Concepts in Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
1. The Concept of Stress Adaptation
2. Mental Health and Mental Illness: Historical and Theoretical Concepts
II. Foundations for Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
3. Concepts of Psychobiology
4. Psychopharmacology
5. Ethical and Legal Issues
III. Therapeutic Approaches in Psychiatric Nursing Care
6. Relationship Development
7. Therapeutic Communication
8. The Nursing Process in Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
9. Therapeutic Groups
10. Intervention with Families
11. Milieu Therapy—The Therapeutic Community
12. Crisis Intervention
13. Assertiveness Training
14. Promoting Self-Esteem
15. Anger and Aggression Management
, 16. Suicide Prevention
17. Behavior Therapy
18. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
19. Electroconvulsive Therapy
20. The Recovery Model
IV. Nursing Care of Patients with Alterations in Psychosocial Adaptation
21. Caring for Patients with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders in General Practice
Settings
22. Neurocognitive Disorders
23. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
24. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
25. Depressive Disorders
26. Bipolar and Related Disorders
27. Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders
28. Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
29. Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders
30. Eating Disorders
31. Personality Disorders
V. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing of Special Populations
32. Children and Adolescents
33. The Aging Individual
34. Survivors of Abuse or Neglect
35. Community Mental Health Nursing
36. The Bereaved Individual
37. Military Families
38. Appendices & Additional Resources
A. Answers to Chapter Review and Clinical Judgment Questions
, B. Examples of Answers to Communication Exercises
C. Mental Status Assessment
Glossary
Index
eBook Bonus Chapters
38. Theoretical Models of Personality Development
39. Cultural and Spiritual Concepts Relevant to Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
40. Complementary and Psychosocial Therapies
41. Relaxation Therapy
42. Issues Related to Human Sexuality and Gender Dysphoria
43. Forensic Nursing
,Chapter 1 – The Concept of Stress Adaptation (10th ed.,
Townsend & Morgan).
Objectives (6 Questions)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary
objective of Chapter 1 “The Concept of Stress
Adaptation”?
A. To outline diagnostic criteria for stress-related disorders
B. To explore pharmacologic interventions for stress
C. To define stress and present models of adaptation ✔
D. To compare stress responses across psychiatric
diagnoses
Rationale: Chapter 1 focuses on defining stress and
introducing adaptation models rather than diagnosis or
pharmacology.
Subtopic: Objectives
2. An essential learning outcome of this chapter is to enable
the student to:
A. Prescribe anxiolytics appropriately
B. Apply the transactional model of stress in care planning
✔
C. Identify only biological markers of stress
D. Differentiate personality disorders
Rationale: One core objective is application of stress-
transaction concepts, not medication prescribing or
diagnosing personality disorders.
Subtopic: Objectives
,3. Which statement aligns with the chapter’s aim regarding
stress management?
A. Stress management is purely an individual’s
responsibility
B. Stress management requires understanding stress
definitions and models ✔
C. Stress management should rely only on cognitive
therapies
D. Stress management is best taught in group settings only
Rationale: The chapter emphasizes understanding
definitions and models as a foundation for management.
Subtopic: Objectives
4. A student meets the chapter objective of distinguishing
stress as an environmental event when they:
A. Describe the physiological fight-or-flight response
B. Identify job loss as an external stressor ✔
C. Explain appraisal processes
D. Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Recognizing external stressors (e.g., job loss)
reflects understanding stress as an environmental event.
Subtopic: Objectives
5. One of the chapter objectives is to help students:
A. Understand the role of neurotransmitters exclusively
B. Define stress across biological, environmental, and
transactional perspectives ✔
C. Focus solely on pharmacologic interventions
, D. Differentiate between acute and chronic pain
Rationale: Objectives include defining stress from multiple
perspectives, not just biology or pharmacology.
Subtopic: Objectives
6. Which objective relates directly to stress as a transaction
between individual and environment?
A. Learning to measure cortisol levels
B. Recognizing how perception influences stress response
✔
C. Memorizing environmental stressor lists
D. Understanding medication side effects
Rationale: The transactional model emphasizes perception
(appraisal) influencing response.
Subtopic: Objectives
Stress as a Biological Response (6 Questions)
7. The “fight-or-flight” response involves activation of the:
A. Parasympathetic nervous system
B. Somatic nervous system
C. Sympathetic nervous system ✔
D. Central nervous system only
Rationale: Acute stress triggers the sympathetic system
for rapid mobilization of energy.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
,8. Which hormone is released by the adrenal cortex during
prolonged stress?
A. Epinephrine
B. Cortisol ✔
C. Norepinephrine
D. Dopamine
Rationale: Cortisol is secreted during the HPA-axis
response to sustained stress.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
9. Allostasis refers to:
A. A singular stress response
B. The process of maintaining stability through change ✔
C. Chronic physiological damage
D. A maladaptive coping mechanism
Rationale: Allostasis is the body’s adaptive process to
achieve stability under stress.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
10. In the General Adaptation Syndrome, the resistance
stage is characterized by:
A. Energy conservation and recovery ✔
B. Exhaustion of resources
C. Immediate fight-or-flight activation
D. Permanent homeostasis
Rationale: During resistance, the body attempts to cope
and adapt, conserving resources.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
, 11. Chronic elevation of cortisol can lead to:
A. Enhanced immune function
B. Increased bone density
C. Immunosuppression ✔
D. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Prolonged cortisol exposure suppresses
immune function and increases glucose levels.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
12. Which structure in the brain initiates the HPA axis
during stress?
A. Hippocampus
B. Hypothalamus ✔
C. Amygdala
D. Medulla oblongata
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes CRH, starting the
HPA-axis cascade.
Subtopic: Stress as a Biological Response
Stress as an Environmental Event (6 Questions)
13. An example of an environmental stressor is:
A. Genetic predisposition
B. Workplace harassment ✔
C. Negative self-talk
D. Physiologic disease
Rationale: Environmental stressors originate outside the
, person, such as harassment.
Subtopic: Stress as an Environmental Event
14. Which term describes events that are predictable
but unavoidable, like retirement?
A. Developmental stressors ✔
B. Situational stressors
C. Physiological stressors
D. Psychological stressors
Rationale: Developmental stressors occur across the
lifespan as part of growth.
Subtopic: Stress as an Environmental Event
15. A hurricane striking a coastal town is best classified
as a:
A. Situational stressor ✔
B. Developmental stressor
C. Biological stressor
D. Transactional stressor
Rationale: Situational stressors are unpredictable events
such as natural disasters.
Subtopic: Stress as an Environmental Event
16. Which of the following is NOT an environmental
stressor?
A. Air pollution
B. Peer support ✔
C. Social isolation
D. Traffic congestion
