EXAM 2
PASS.
PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T · C E R T I F I C AT I O N E X A M P R E P
PCA Week 5 — Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Mental Health, Stress Disorders & Anxiety Management
EXAM FOCUS:
PTSD, Somatic Disorders, Anxiety, Defense Mechanisms
— Therapeutic Interventions & Psychopharmacology
Week 5 — Edition 1 · July 2026
EXAM FOCUSED DETAILED MENTAL HEALTH BUILD CONFIDENCE
RATIONALES FOCUS
Aligned with PCA Exam 2 Master your PCA Exam 2
standards Clear explanations for mastery PTSD, anxiety & somatic
disorders
P r e pa r e · P r a c t i c e · Pa s s
Excellence in Patient Care Assistant Certification
,PCA WEEK 5 · EXAM 2 — MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS 1–25
Section 1: Stress, Anxiety Disorders & PTSD
1 A client recently diagnosed as obese is experiencing stress related to the
need to lose weight. How can the nurse best help the client focus on the
eustress nature of this stressor?
A Discuss weight loss strategies with the client
B Encourage the client to discuss feelings about being obese
C Provide a list of realistic, time-focused weight loss goals
D Reinforce that obesity is a manageable health problem
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Eustress is positive, motivational stress — discussing
actionable strategies channels the stress toward productive behavior change.
Venting feelings focuses on distress; goal lists may overwhelm; reassurance alone
does not mobilize action. Strategy discussion empowers the client to transform
stress into constructive energy.
,2 The nurse is managing care for a client reporting increased stress related
to a new work position. What intervention is associated with increased
energy and fewer muscle aches?
A Limiting or eliminating caffeine from the diet
B Monitoring heart and respiratory rates daily
C Adding Vitamin C to the daily diet
D Being screened for depression
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Caffeine is a stimulant that increases sympathetic
nervous system activity — eliminating it reduces muscle tension, improves sleep
quality, and stabilizes energy levels. Monitoring vitals is assessment, not
intervention. Vitamin C does not directly address stress physiology. Depression
screening identifies but does not treat stress symptoms.
3 When assessing for subjective symptoms of PTSD in a client hospitalized
for severe anxiety related to sexual assault, which question should the
nurse ask?
A "Are you experiencing a flashback of the rape right now?"
B "On a regular basis, do you get enough restful sleep?"
C "Am I correct to say that you try to avoid certain family members?"
D "Can we discuss what triggered your angry outburst a few minutes ago?"
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Flashbacks are a hallmark subjective symptom of PTSD
— they represent re-experiencing the trauma. This question directly assesses for
the intrusive symptom cluster. Sleep, avoidance, and anger are secondary
associated features but do not capture the core re-experiencing phenomenon
required for PTSD diagnosis.
, 4 A nurse has worked on a mental health unit for an extended period. Which
statement is best associated with compassion fatigue?
A "These clients are like living with my mother and aunt."
B "I'm really looking forward to the day I can retire and travel."
C "I'm so tired; having a 4-day stretch off will be so wonderful."
D "The clients often behave in a manner that makes them unlikable."
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Compassion fatigue manifests as blurring boundaries
and personalizing client relationships — comparing clients to family members
indicates over-involvement and depleted emotional reserves. Looking forward to
retirement or time off reflects normal work fatigue. Finding clients unlikable
suggests burnout but not the boundary-blurring characteristic of compassion
fatigue.
5 A nurse is planning interventions for a veteran recently discharged from
the military who reports difficulty sleeping. Which past medical history
data is most relevant to PTSD development?
A Sustained a concussion a month before discharge
B Family history of depression
C Quit smoking tobacco 2 months ago
D Regularly smoked marijuana as a teenager
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Traumatic brain injury (concussion) significantly increases
PTSD risk — the physical trauma to the brain combined with psychological
trauma creates vulnerability. Family depression history is a general risk factor.
Smoking cessation and adolescent marijuana use are less directly linked to PTSD
development than recent TBI.
PASS.
PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T · C E R T I F I C AT I O N E X A M P R E P
PCA Week 5 — Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Mental Health, Stress Disorders & Anxiety Management
EXAM FOCUS:
PTSD, Somatic Disorders, Anxiety, Defense Mechanisms
— Therapeutic Interventions & Psychopharmacology
Week 5 — Edition 1 · July 2026
EXAM FOCUSED DETAILED MENTAL HEALTH BUILD CONFIDENCE
RATIONALES FOCUS
Aligned with PCA Exam 2 Master your PCA Exam 2
standards Clear explanations for mastery PTSD, anxiety & somatic
disorders
P r e pa r e · P r a c t i c e · Pa s s
Excellence in Patient Care Assistant Certification
,PCA WEEK 5 · EXAM 2 — MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS 1–25
Section 1: Stress, Anxiety Disorders & PTSD
1 A client recently diagnosed as obese is experiencing stress related to the
need to lose weight. How can the nurse best help the client focus on the
eustress nature of this stressor?
A Discuss weight loss strategies with the client
B Encourage the client to discuss feelings about being obese
C Provide a list of realistic, time-focused weight loss goals
D Reinforce that obesity is a manageable health problem
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Eustress is positive, motivational stress — discussing
actionable strategies channels the stress toward productive behavior change.
Venting feelings focuses on distress; goal lists may overwhelm; reassurance alone
does not mobilize action. Strategy discussion empowers the client to transform
stress into constructive energy.
,2 The nurse is managing care for a client reporting increased stress related
to a new work position. What intervention is associated with increased
energy and fewer muscle aches?
A Limiting or eliminating caffeine from the diet
B Monitoring heart and respiratory rates daily
C Adding Vitamin C to the daily diet
D Being screened for depression
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Caffeine is a stimulant that increases sympathetic
nervous system activity — eliminating it reduces muscle tension, improves sleep
quality, and stabilizes energy levels. Monitoring vitals is assessment, not
intervention. Vitamin C does not directly address stress physiology. Depression
screening identifies but does not treat stress symptoms.
3 When assessing for subjective symptoms of PTSD in a client hospitalized
for severe anxiety related to sexual assault, which question should the
nurse ask?
A "Are you experiencing a flashback of the rape right now?"
B "On a regular basis, do you get enough restful sleep?"
C "Am I correct to say that you try to avoid certain family members?"
D "Can we discuss what triggered your angry outburst a few minutes ago?"
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Flashbacks are a hallmark subjective symptom of PTSD
— they represent re-experiencing the trauma. This question directly assesses for
the intrusive symptom cluster. Sleep, avoidance, and anger are secondary
associated features but do not capture the core re-experiencing phenomenon
required for PTSD diagnosis.
, 4 A nurse has worked on a mental health unit for an extended period. Which
statement is best associated with compassion fatigue?
A "These clients are like living with my mother and aunt."
B "I'm really looking forward to the day I can retire and travel."
C "I'm so tired; having a 4-day stretch off will be so wonderful."
D "The clients often behave in a manner that makes them unlikable."
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Compassion fatigue manifests as blurring boundaries
and personalizing client relationships — comparing clients to family members
indicates over-involvement and depleted emotional reserves. Looking forward to
retirement or time off reflects normal work fatigue. Finding clients unlikable
suggests burnout but not the boundary-blurring characteristic of compassion
fatigue.
5 A nurse is planning interventions for a veteran recently discharged from
the military who reports difficulty sleeping. Which past medical history
data is most relevant to PTSD development?
A Sustained a concussion a month before discharge
B Family history of depression
C Quit smoking tobacco 2 months ago
D Regularly smoked marijuana as a teenager
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Traumatic brain injury (concussion) significantly increases
PTSD risk — the physical trauma to the brain combined with psychological
trauma creates vulnerability. Family depression history is a general risk factor.
Smoking cessation and adolescent marijuana use are less directly linked to PTSD
development than recent TBI.
