NCLEX-RN Psychosocial Integrity
Practice Exam 1 Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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Question 1: Therapeutic Communication Techniques
A nurse is caring for a client who is expressing feelings of anger and frustration
about their recent diagnosis of cancer. Which response by the nurse demonstrates
the most therapeutic communication technique?
A. "You shouldn't be angry; anger won't help your situation."
B. "I understand exactly how you feel right now."
C. "Tell me more about what is making you feel so angry."
D. "Let's focus on the positive aspects of your treatment plan."
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C is correct because it uses an open-ended statement that
encourages the client to express their feelings further, which is a therapeutic
communication technique called exploring. This allows the client to verbalize
their emotions and facilitates therapeutic dialogue. Option A is incorrect
because it dismisses the client's feelings and uses a nontherapeutic technique of
giving advice. Option B is incorrect because it uses a nontherapeutic technique
of false reassurance and assumes to know how the client feels, which minimizes
their unique experience. Option D is incorrect because it changes the subject and
avoids addressing the client's expressed emotional state, which can make the
client feel unheard and invalidated.
,Question 2: Mental Status Assessment
A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a client admitted with
depression. Which finding would be most consistent with a diagnosis of major
depressive disorder?
A. Pressured speech and flight of ideas
B. Grandiose delusions and hallucinations
C. Depressed mood and anhedonia
D. Manipulative behavior and attention-seeking
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C is correct because depressed mood and anhedonia (loss of
interest or pleasure in activities) are core diagnostic criteria for major depressive
disorder according to the DSM-5. Option A is incorrect because pressured speech
and flight of ideas are characteristic of manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
Option B is incorrect because grandiose delusions and hallucinations are more
consistent with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Option
D is incorrect because manipulative behavior and attention-seeking are
associated with histrionic or borderline personality disorders, not major
depressive disorder.
Question 3: Anxiety Disorders
A client is experiencing a panic attack and presents to the emergency department
with palpitations, shortness of breath, and fear of dying. Which nursing
intervention should be implemented first?
A. Administer prescribed antianxiety medication
B. Place the client in a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C. Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths
D. Ask the client to identify the trigger for the panic attack
,Answer: B
Rationale: Option B is correct because the priority intervention during a panic
attack is to reduce environmental stimuli, which helps decrease sensory overload
and allows the client to focus on regaining control. Option A is incorrect because
although medication may be needed, it is not the first intervention and may take
time to take effect. Option C is incorrect because while breathing exercises are
helpful, the client may not be able to focus on deep breathing until the
environment is calm and structured. Option D is incorrect because during a panic
attack, the client is unable to think rationally or identify triggers; this
exploration should occur after the acute episode has resolved.
Question 4: Eating Disorders
A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa who refuses to eat and states,
"I feel so fat and disgusting." Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Allow the client to skip meals when feeling anxious
B. Inform the client that they must eat or will be force-fed
C. Establish a structured meal plan and remain with the client during meals
D. Encourage the client to exercise to help with appetite stimulation
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C is correct because a structured meal plan with supervision
provides consistency and support while addressing the client's distorted body
image and eating behaviors. This approach helps establish healthy eating
patterns and prevents the client from engaging in purging or hiding food. Option
A is incorrect because allowing the client to skip meals reinforces maladaptive
behaviors and is contraindicated in eating disorder treatment. Option B is
incorrect because threatening the client can damage the therapeutic
relationship and increase anxiety and resistance. Option D is incorrect because
excessive exercise is common in clients with anorexia and should be monitored
and limited, not encouraged.
, Question 5: Substance Use Disorders
A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. Which assessment
finding would indicate the client is at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms?
A. Blood alcohol level of 0.08%
B. History of previous detoxification admissions
C. Client's age of 25 years
D. Family history of alcohol use disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Option B is correct because a history of previous detoxification
admissions (the "kindling" effect) indicates a greater risk for severe withdrawal
symptoms, including seizures and delirium tremens. Each subsequent
withdrawal episode can become more severe. Option A is incorrect because
blood alcohol level does not predict withdrawal severity; withdrawal symptoms
begin as alcohol levels decrease. Option C is incorrect because age alone is not a
primary risk factor for withdrawal severity. Option D is incorrect because family
history is a risk factor for developing alcohol use disorder but does not directly
predict withdrawal severity.
Question 6: Personality Disorders
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who has a history
of self-mutilation. Which intervention is most important to include in the client's
plan of care?
A. Closely monitor the client at all times
B. Establish a contract for safety and coping strategies
C. Ignore attention-seeking behaviors
D. Place the client in seclusion as needed
Answer: B
Practice Exam 1 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1: Therapeutic Communication Techniques
A nurse is caring for a client who is expressing feelings of anger and frustration
about their recent diagnosis of cancer. Which response by the nurse demonstrates
the most therapeutic communication technique?
A. "You shouldn't be angry; anger won't help your situation."
B. "I understand exactly how you feel right now."
C. "Tell me more about what is making you feel so angry."
D. "Let's focus on the positive aspects of your treatment plan."
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C is correct because it uses an open-ended statement that
encourages the client to express their feelings further, which is a therapeutic
communication technique called exploring. This allows the client to verbalize
their emotions and facilitates therapeutic dialogue. Option A is incorrect
because it dismisses the client's feelings and uses a nontherapeutic technique of
giving advice. Option B is incorrect because it uses a nontherapeutic technique
of false reassurance and assumes to know how the client feels, which minimizes
their unique experience. Option D is incorrect because it changes the subject and
avoids addressing the client's expressed emotional state, which can make the
client feel unheard and invalidated.
,Question 2: Mental Status Assessment
A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a client admitted with
depression. Which finding would be most consistent with a diagnosis of major
depressive disorder?
A. Pressured speech and flight of ideas
B. Grandiose delusions and hallucinations
C. Depressed mood and anhedonia
D. Manipulative behavior and attention-seeking
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C is correct because depressed mood and anhedonia (loss of
interest or pleasure in activities) are core diagnostic criteria for major depressive
disorder according to the DSM-5. Option A is incorrect because pressured speech
and flight of ideas are characteristic of manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
Option B is incorrect because grandiose delusions and hallucinations are more
consistent with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Option
D is incorrect because manipulative behavior and attention-seeking are
associated with histrionic or borderline personality disorders, not major
depressive disorder.
Question 3: Anxiety Disorders
A client is experiencing a panic attack and presents to the emergency department
with palpitations, shortness of breath, and fear of dying. Which nursing
intervention should be implemented first?
A. Administer prescribed antianxiety medication
B. Place the client in a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C. Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths
D. Ask the client to identify the trigger for the panic attack
,Answer: B
Rationale: Option B is correct because the priority intervention during a panic
attack is to reduce environmental stimuli, which helps decrease sensory overload
and allows the client to focus on regaining control. Option A is incorrect because
although medication may be needed, it is not the first intervention and may take
time to take effect. Option C is incorrect because while breathing exercises are
helpful, the client may not be able to focus on deep breathing until the
environment is calm and structured. Option D is incorrect because during a panic
attack, the client is unable to think rationally or identify triggers; this
exploration should occur after the acute episode has resolved.
Question 4: Eating Disorders
A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa who refuses to eat and states,
"I feel so fat and disgusting." Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Allow the client to skip meals when feeling anxious
B. Inform the client that they must eat or will be force-fed
C. Establish a structured meal plan and remain with the client during meals
D. Encourage the client to exercise to help with appetite stimulation
Answer: C
Rationale: Option C is correct because a structured meal plan with supervision
provides consistency and support while addressing the client's distorted body
image and eating behaviors. This approach helps establish healthy eating
patterns and prevents the client from engaging in purging or hiding food. Option
A is incorrect because allowing the client to skip meals reinforces maladaptive
behaviors and is contraindicated in eating disorder treatment. Option B is
incorrect because threatening the client can damage the therapeutic
relationship and increase anxiety and resistance. Option D is incorrect because
excessive exercise is common in clients with anorexia and should be monitored
and limited, not encouraged.
, Question 5: Substance Use Disorders
A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. Which assessment
finding would indicate the client is at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms?
A. Blood alcohol level of 0.08%
B. History of previous detoxification admissions
C. Client's age of 25 years
D. Family history of alcohol use disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Option B is correct because a history of previous detoxification
admissions (the "kindling" effect) indicates a greater risk for severe withdrawal
symptoms, including seizures and delirium tremens. Each subsequent
withdrawal episode can become more severe. Option A is incorrect because
blood alcohol level does not predict withdrawal severity; withdrawal symptoms
begin as alcohol levels decrease. Option C is incorrect because age alone is not a
primary risk factor for withdrawal severity. Option D is incorrect because family
history is a risk factor for developing alcohol use disorder but does not directly
predict withdrawal severity.
Question 6: Personality Disorders
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who has a history
of self-mutilation. Which intervention is most important to include in the client's
plan of care?
A. Closely monitor the client at all times
B. Establish a contract for safety and coping strategies
C. Ignore attention-seeking behaviors
D. Place the client in seclusion as needed
Answer: B
