NCLEX RN Anxiety Disorders Practice
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
Question 1
A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports excessive worry, muscle
tension, and difficulty sleeping. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to avoid all stressful situations.
B. Teach relaxation and stress-management techniques.
C. Encourage the client to make major life decisions immediately.
D. Limit communication to prevent further stimulation.
Answer: B. Teach relaxation and stress-management techniques.
Rationale: Relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing, progressive
muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can reduce physiologic arousal and
help the client manage anxiety. Avoidance can reinforce anxiety, while
isolation is generally not therapeutic.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client experiencing severe anxiety. Which finding is most
likely?
A. Mild restlessness
B. Increased perceptual field
C. Inability to concentrate
D. Enhanced problem-solving ability
Answer: C. Inability to concentrate
,Rationale: Severe anxiety significantly narrows the perceptual field and
impairs concentration, learning, and problem-solving. Mild anxiety may
actually improve alertness and attention.
Question 3
A client experiencing a panic attack is pacing rapidly and stating, "I'm going to
die!" What is the nurse's priority intervention?
A. Ask the client to explain the cause of the panic.
B. Leave the client alone in a quiet room.
C. Stay with the client and provide brief, calm directions.
D. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and provide brief, calm directions.
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's ability to process information is
greatly reduced. The nurse should remain with the client, use short
statements, maintain a calm manner, and provide a safe environment.
Question 4
Which statement by a client demonstrates an understanding of diaphragmatic
breathing?
A. "I will breathe rapidly whenever I feel anxious."
B. "I will take slow breaths using my abdomen rather than my chest."
C. "I should hold my breath as long as possible."
D. "I will breathe into a paper bag during every panic attack."
Answer: B. "I will take slow breaths using my abdomen rather than my
chest."
Rationale: Diaphragmatic breathing promotes slow, controlled respirations
and can decrease sympathetic arousal. Rapid breathing may worsen
hyperventilation and anxiety.
Question 5
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands
because of contamination fears. Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
,A. "You should stop washing your hands."
B. "Your fears are irrational, so there is nothing to worry about."
C. "Let's identify what you are feeling when you have the urge to wash."
D. "I'll allow you to wash your hands whenever you want."
Answer: C. "Let's identify what you are feeling when you have the urge to
wash."
Rationale: The nurse should help the client recognize anxiety triggers and
develop healthier coping strategies. Abruptly stopping compulsive behavior
may increase anxiety, while reinforcing the ritual maintains the disorder.
Question 6
A client with panic disorder asks why the heart races during a panic attack.
Which explanation is most accurate?
A. "Your body is activating its fight-or-flight response."
B. "Your heart is becoming permanently damaged."
C. "The symptoms occur because your blood pressure is always low."
D. "The heart rate increases because you are losing consciousness."
Answer: A. "Your body is activating its fight-or-flight response."
Rationale: Panic attacks involve activation of the sympathetic nervous
system, producing tachycardia, sweating, trembling, dyspnea, and other
fight-or-flight symptoms.
Question 7
A client with anxiety is having difficulty completing activities because of
excessive worry. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Impaired swallowing
B. Anxiety
C. Risk for constipation
D. Impaired skin integrity
Answer: B. Anxiety
, Rationale: Excessive worry, tension, and difficulty functioning are
characteristic manifestations of anxiety and support the nursing diagnosis of
anxiety.
Question 8
A client with moderate anxiety is having difficulty concentrating. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate?
A. Give lengthy explanations of all treatment options.
B. Present information in short, simple statements.
C. Ask the client to make several complex decisions.
D. Provide a stimulating environment.
Answer: B. Present information in short, simple statements.
Rationale: Moderate anxiety decreases the client's ability to concentrate.
Short, clear communication helps the client understand information and
make decisions.
Question 9
Which assessment finding is characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Recurrent intrusive memories of a traumatic event only
B. Excessive anxiety and worry occurring across multiple areas of life
C. Repetitive behavior without anxiety
D. Sudden episodes of elevated mood and grandiosity
Answer: B. Excessive anxiety and worry occurring across multiple areas of life
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive, difficult-to-control
worry about multiple areas of life, often accompanied by restlessness,
fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.
Question 10
A nurse is teaching a client about cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will learn to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts."
B. "The therapist will make all my decisions for me."
Exam 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
Question 1
A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports excessive worry, muscle
tension, and difficulty sleeping. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to avoid all stressful situations.
B. Teach relaxation and stress-management techniques.
C. Encourage the client to make major life decisions immediately.
D. Limit communication to prevent further stimulation.
Answer: B. Teach relaxation and stress-management techniques.
Rationale: Relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing, progressive
muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can reduce physiologic arousal and
help the client manage anxiety. Avoidance can reinforce anxiety, while
isolation is generally not therapeutic.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client experiencing severe anxiety. Which finding is most
likely?
A. Mild restlessness
B. Increased perceptual field
C. Inability to concentrate
D. Enhanced problem-solving ability
Answer: C. Inability to concentrate
,Rationale: Severe anxiety significantly narrows the perceptual field and
impairs concentration, learning, and problem-solving. Mild anxiety may
actually improve alertness and attention.
Question 3
A client experiencing a panic attack is pacing rapidly and stating, "I'm going to
die!" What is the nurse's priority intervention?
A. Ask the client to explain the cause of the panic.
B. Leave the client alone in a quiet room.
C. Stay with the client and provide brief, calm directions.
D. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and provide brief, calm directions.
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's ability to process information is
greatly reduced. The nurse should remain with the client, use short
statements, maintain a calm manner, and provide a safe environment.
Question 4
Which statement by a client demonstrates an understanding of diaphragmatic
breathing?
A. "I will breathe rapidly whenever I feel anxious."
B. "I will take slow breaths using my abdomen rather than my chest."
C. "I should hold my breath as long as possible."
D. "I will breathe into a paper bag during every panic attack."
Answer: B. "I will take slow breaths using my abdomen rather than my
chest."
Rationale: Diaphragmatic breathing promotes slow, controlled respirations
and can decrease sympathetic arousal. Rapid breathing may worsen
hyperventilation and anxiety.
Question 5
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands
because of contamination fears. Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
,A. "You should stop washing your hands."
B. "Your fears are irrational, so there is nothing to worry about."
C. "Let's identify what you are feeling when you have the urge to wash."
D. "I'll allow you to wash your hands whenever you want."
Answer: C. "Let's identify what you are feeling when you have the urge to
wash."
Rationale: The nurse should help the client recognize anxiety triggers and
develop healthier coping strategies. Abruptly stopping compulsive behavior
may increase anxiety, while reinforcing the ritual maintains the disorder.
Question 6
A client with panic disorder asks why the heart races during a panic attack.
Which explanation is most accurate?
A. "Your body is activating its fight-or-flight response."
B. "Your heart is becoming permanently damaged."
C. "The symptoms occur because your blood pressure is always low."
D. "The heart rate increases because you are losing consciousness."
Answer: A. "Your body is activating its fight-or-flight response."
Rationale: Panic attacks involve activation of the sympathetic nervous
system, producing tachycardia, sweating, trembling, dyspnea, and other
fight-or-flight symptoms.
Question 7
A client with anxiety is having difficulty completing activities because of
excessive worry. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Impaired swallowing
B. Anxiety
C. Risk for constipation
D. Impaired skin integrity
Answer: B. Anxiety
, Rationale: Excessive worry, tension, and difficulty functioning are
characteristic manifestations of anxiety and support the nursing diagnosis of
anxiety.
Question 8
A client with moderate anxiety is having difficulty concentrating. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate?
A. Give lengthy explanations of all treatment options.
B. Present information in short, simple statements.
C. Ask the client to make several complex decisions.
D. Provide a stimulating environment.
Answer: B. Present information in short, simple statements.
Rationale: Moderate anxiety decreases the client's ability to concentrate.
Short, clear communication helps the client understand information and
make decisions.
Question 9
Which assessment finding is characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?
A. Recurrent intrusive memories of a traumatic event only
B. Excessive anxiety and worry occurring across multiple areas of life
C. Repetitive behavior without anxiety
D. Sudden episodes of elevated mood and grandiosity
Answer: B. Excessive anxiety and worry occurring across multiple areas of life
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive, difficult-to-control
worry about multiple areas of life, often accompanied by restlessness,
fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance.
Question 10
A nurse is teaching a client about cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will learn to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts."
B. "The therapist will make all my decisions for me."
