EXAM
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% LATEST 2025
1. A client reports a vague feeling of apprehension and states, "I feel scared." He also
has an increased pulse rate and blood pressure. Which of the following diagnoses is
most appropriate in this situation?
A. Anxiety
B. Fear
C. Ineffective coping
D. Disturbed sleep pattern CORRECT ANSWER A. Anxiety
2. When caring for a client with panic level anxiety, the psychologist should consider
which expected outcome to be a priority?
A. The client will discuss his concerns for 10 minutes, three times a day.
B. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety by the end of the hospitalization.
C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety within 2 hours.
D. The client will state the name and dose of the anxiolytic medication. CORRECT
ANSWER C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety within 2 hours.
Situation: The family members of a patient just diagnosed with personality disorder
receives an orientation from the psychiatrist about the nature of the said disorder.
3. The client exhibiting mistrust, guardedness, and restricted affect is showing signs of
which personality?
A. Antisocial personality disorder
B. Dependent personality disorder
C. Narcissistic personality disorder
D. Paranoid personality disorder CORRECT ANSWER D. Paranoid personality
disorder
4. The axis II diagnosis of a client is schizoid personality disorder. Which approach
should the psychologist plan to use when interacting with this client?
A. Helpful and nurturing
B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
C. Light and playful
D. Warm and friendly CORRECT ANSWER B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
,5. A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder needs information regarding
medications. Which psychological intervention would assist this client in understanding
prescribed medications?
A. Ask the client to join the medication education group
B. Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
C. During rounds, have the physician ask if the client has any questions.
D. Let the client read the medication information handout. CORRECT ANSWER B.
Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
6. When caring for a client with schizoid personality disorder, the psychologist primarily
focuses on which of the following?
A. expanding the client's interest in objects and things
B. increasing the client's ability to experience pleasure
C. increasing solitary activities
D. improving the client's functional relationships CORRECT ANSWER D. improving
the client's functional relationships
7. Which defense mechanism is being used by a paranoid client who blames others for
problems he is experiencing?
A. projection
B. displacement
C. rationalization
D. intellectualization CORRECT ANSWER A. projection
8. When working with a client with paranoid personality disorder, the psychologist will
find that the client most often resorts to which one of the following defense
mechanisms?
A. denial
B. projection
C. sublimation
D. repression CORRECT ANSWER B. projection
9. When assessing the client with a diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder, you will
find a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and, additionally, which
of the following?
A. extreme anger when sufficiently provoked by others
B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
C. seeking approval from no more than two other persons
D. more than the average interest in sexual activity with strangers CORRECT
ANSWER B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
,10. You are assigned to a client with schizotypal personality disorder. Your assessment
would likely reveal which of the following behaviors?
A. seeks attention and engages in erratic behaviour
B. withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
C. overtly psychotic and experiencing hallucinations and delusions
D. active participation in activities with other clients and staff CORRECT ANSWER B.
withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
11. A client has a diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder. When assessing client, the
psychologist should expect that the client's behavior would be:
A. Rigid and controlling
B. Dependent and submissive
C. Detached and socially distant
D. Superstitious and socially anxious CORRECT ANSWER C. Detached and socially
distant
Situation: The Psychologist has just been informed that a new client on the unit has a
diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid type.
12. Based on this limited information, the psychologist knows that she will need to
address which basic need first?
A. Esteem and recognition
B. Love and belonging
C. Physiologic integrity
D. Safety CORRECT ANSWER D. Safety
13. When assessing a client with paranoid schizophrenia, which findings should be the
psychologist's immediate
A. Immobility, clanging, altered sleep patterns, and difficult family relationships.
B. Problems with role-functioning, peculiar mannerisms, and decreased social
competence.
C. Stressful life events, altered sleep patterns, fatigue, and hostility.
D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and hostility. CORRECT ANSWER
D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and hostility.
14. When interacting with a client with a schizophrenic disorder, psychologist should
remember to:
A. avoids interactions whenever possible.
B. has an intensive 1-hour counselling sessions twice a day.
C. speaks loudly and clearly.
, D. use brief, simple statements. CORRECT ANSWER D. use brief, simple
statements.
15. An 18-year-old man is admitted to the inpatient unit with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia. As the psychologist approaches him, she notices that he is grimacing
and talking to the wall. The psychologist's first action should be to:
A. ask him if he is hearing voices.
B. ask him to walk in the hall.
C. engage him in conversation.
D. have him placed in seclusion CORRECT ANSWER A. ask him if he is hearing
voices.
16. The client states, "I am low, how low can you go, I'm going to get married. Yeah, I'm
going to marry Bill. I've got lots of bills to pay after that last spree!" 'Which observation is
the psychologist likely to document about this client?
A. Circumstantiality was noted.
B. Disorientation was noted.
C. Flight of ideas was noted.
D. Speech patterns using word salad was noted CORRECT ANSWER C. Flight of
ideas was noted.
Situation: A newly admitted patient with schizophrenia tells you that her dead
grandmother sits in a chair in her room and tells her when it is safe to leave the room.
17. Using therapeutic communication, what is the psychologist's best response to the
client?
A. "If your grandmother is dead, she cannot be in your room"
B. "Your grandmother must have been very special to you"
C. "You don't feel safe here?"
D. "We are here to help you. You don't need your grandmother for protection"
CORRECT ANSWER C. "You don't feel safe here?"
18. Which of the following illustrates a common symptom of schizophrenia?
A. During a discussion of the loss of significant people in her life, the client is laughing
uncontrollably
B. The admission history describes the client's affect as appropriate and the mood as
depressed.
C. The client has strong feelings about a decision to go to supervised housing.
D. The client is an active participant in verbal groups on the unit. CORRECT ANSWER
A. During a discussion of the loss of significant people in her life, the client is laughing
uncontrollably
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% LATEST 2025
1. A client reports a vague feeling of apprehension and states, "I feel scared." He also
has an increased pulse rate and blood pressure. Which of the following diagnoses is
most appropriate in this situation?
A. Anxiety
B. Fear
C. Ineffective coping
D. Disturbed sleep pattern CORRECT ANSWER A. Anxiety
2. When caring for a client with panic level anxiety, the psychologist should consider
which expected outcome to be a priority?
A. The client will discuss his concerns for 10 minutes, three times a day.
B. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety by the end of the hospitalization.
C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety within 2 hours.
D. The client will state the name and dose of the anxiolytic medication. CORRECT
ANSWER C. The client will verbalize a decreased level of anxiety within 2 hours.
Situation: The family members of a patient just diagnosed with personality disorder
receives an orientation from the psychiatrist about the nature of the said disorder.
3. The client exhibiting mistrust, guardedness, and restricted affect is showing signs of
which personality?
A. Antisocial personality disorder
B. Dependent personality disorder
C. Narcissistic personality disorder
D. Paranoid personality disorder CORRECT ANSWER D. Paranoid personality
disorder
4. The axis II diagnosis of a client is schizoid personality disorder. Which approach
should the psychologist plan to use when interacting with this client?
A. Helpful and nurturing
B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
C. Light and playful
D. Warm and friendly CORRECT ANSWER B. Matter-of-fact and calm approach
,5. A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder needs information regarding
medications. Which psychological intervention would assist this client in understanding
prescribed medications?
A. Ask the client to join the medication education group
B. Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
C. During rounds, have the physician ask if the client has any questions.
D. Let the client read the medication information handout. CORRECT ANSWER B.
Provide one-on-one teaching in the client's room.
6. When caring for a client with schizoid personality disorder, the psychologist primarily
focuses on which of the following?
A. expanding the client's interest in objects and things
B. increasing the client's ability to experience pleasure
C. increasing solitary activities
D. improving the client's functional relationships CORRECT ANSWER D. improving
the client's functional relationships
7. Which defense mechanism is being used by a paranoid client who blames others for
problems he is experiencing?
A. projection
B. displacement
C. rationalization
D. intellectualization CORRECT ANSWER A. projection
8. When working with a client with paranoid personality disorder, the psychologist will
find that the client most often resorts to which one of the following defense
mechanisms?
A. denial
B. projection
C. sublimation
D. repression CORRECT ANSWER B. projection
9. When assessing the client with a diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder, you will
find a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and, additionally, which
of the following?
A. extreme anger when sufficiently provoked by others
B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
C. seeking approval from no more than two other persons
D. more than the average interest in sexual activity with strangers CORRECT
ANSWER B. a restricted range of emotional expression with others
,10. You are assigned to a client with schizotypal personality disorder. Your assessment
would likely reveal which of the following behaviors?
A. seeks attention and engages in erratic behaviour
B. withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
C. overtly psychotic and experiencing hallucinations and delusions
D. active participation in activities with other clients and staff CORRECT ANSWER B.
withdrawn and engages in odd, eccentric behaviour
11. A client has a diagnosis of schizoid personality disorder. When assessing client, the
psychologist should expect that the client's behavior would be:
A. Rigid and controlling
B. Dependent and submissive
C. Detached and socially distant
D. Superstitious and socially anxious CORRECT ANSWER C. Detached and socially
distant
Situation: The Psychologist has just been informed that a new client on the unit has a
diagnosis of schizophrenia, paranoid type.
12. Based on this limited information, the psychologist knows that she will need to
address which basic need first?
A. Esteem and recognition
B. Love and belonging
C. Physiologic integrity
D. Safety CORRECT ANSWER D. Safety
13. When assessing a client with paranoid schizophrenia, which findings should be the
psychologist's immediate
A. Immobility, clanging, altered sleep patterns, and difficult family relationships.
B. Problems with role-functioning, peculiar mannerisms, and decreased social
competence.
C. Stressful life events, altered sleep patterns, fatigue, and hostility.
D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and hostility. CORRECT ANSWER
D. Paranoid delusions, increased suspiciousness, and hostility.
14. When interacting with a client with a schizophrenic disorder, psychologist should
remember to:
A. avoids interactions whenever possible.
B. has an intensive 1-hour counselling sessions twice a day.
C. speaks loudly and clearly.
, D. use brief, simple statements. CORRECT ANSWER D. use brief, simple
statements.
15. An 18-year-old man is admitted to the inpatient unit with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia. As the psychologist approaches him, she notices that he is grimacing
and talking to the wall. The psychologist's first action should be to:
A. ask him if he is hearing voices.
B. ask him to walk in the hall.
C. engage him in conversation.
D. have him placed in seclusion CORRECT ANSWER A. ask him if he is hearing
voices.
16. The client states, "I am low, how low can you go, I'm going to get married. Yeah, I'm
going to marry Bill. I've got lots of bills to pay after that last spree!" 'Which observation is
the psychologist likely to document about this client?
A. Circumstantiality was noted.
B. Disorientation was noted.
C. Flight of ideas was noted.
D. Speech patterns using word salad was noted CORRECT ANSWER C. Flight of
ideas was noted.
Situation: A newly admitted patient with schizophrenia tells you that her dead
grandmother sits in a chair in her room and tells her when it is safe to leave the room.
17. Using therapeutic communication, what is the psychologist's best response to the
client?
A. "If your grandmother is dead, she cannot be in your room"
B. "Your grandmother must have been very special to you"
C. "You don't feel safe here?"
D. "We are here to help you. You don't need your grandmother for protection"
CORRECT ANSWER C. "You don't feel safe here?"
18. Which of the following illustrates a common symptom of schizophrenia?
A. During a discussion of the loss of significant people in her life, the client is laughing
uncontrollably
B. The admission history describes the client's affect as appropriate and the mood as
depressed.
C. The client has strong feelings about a decision to go to supervised housing.
D. The client is an active participant in verbal groups on the unit. CORRECT ANSWER
A. During a discussion of the loss of significant people in her life, the client is laughing
uncontrollably
