NCLEX RN Psychosocial Integrity Exam
4 100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A client with major depressive disorder says, “My family would be better off
without me.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
B. “Why do you think your family feels that way?”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
D. “Your family needs you.”
Answer: C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly assessing suicidal thoughts is the priority when a client
expresses hopelessness or perceived burdensomeness. Asking about suicide
does not increase suicidal behavior and allows the nurse to determine
immediate risk.
Question 2
A client experiencing acute mania is pacing rapidly and speaking loudly. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Challenge the client’s grandiose statements.
D. Allow unlimited activity to expend energy.
Answer: B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
,Rationale: Reducing environmental stimulation helps decrease agitation and
prevents escalation of manic behavior.
Question 3
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices saying, “You are worthless.”
Which response should the nurse make?
A. “The voices are not real, so ignore them.”
B. “I understand that you hear the voices, but I do not hear them.”
C. “What did you do to make the voices angry?”
D. “You should argue with the voices.”
Answer: B. “I understand that you hear the voices, but I do not hear them.”
Rationale: The nurse acknowledges the client’s experience without validating
the hallucination as reality. This promotes trust and reality-based
communication.
Question 4
A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea, vomiting, and coarse hand
tremors. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the next lithium dose.
B. Encourage increased sodium restriction.
C. Hold the lithium and notify the provider.
D. Reassure the client that these effects are expected.
Answer: C. Hold the lithium and notify the provider.
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms and coarse tremors may
indicate lithium toxicity. The medication should be withheld and the provider
notified promptly.
Question 5
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands.
Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Immediately prevent all handwashing.
B. Encourage the client to discuss the anxiety associated with the ritual.
,C. Tell the client the behavior is irrational.
D. Ignore the client completely.
Answer: B. Encourage the client to discuss the anxiety associated with the
ritual.
Rationale: Exploring the anxiety underlying compulsive behavior promotes
therapeutic communication. Abruptly stopping rituals can increase anxiety.
Question 6
A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating and trembling. What
should the nurse do?
A. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
B. Ask the client to describe childhood stressors.
C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Encourage detailed problem-solving.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, concentration is impaired. Staying
with the client provides safety, while simple communication reduces cognitive
demands.
Question 7
A client with post-traumatic stress disorder begins experiencing flashbacks.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to relive the trauma immediately.
B. Help the client identify current surroundings and sensations.
C. Tell the client the trauma is in the past and should be forgotten.
D. Restrict all discussion of the trauma.
Answer: B. Help the client identify current surroundings and sensations.
Rationale: Grounding techniques help distinguish the present environment
from traumatic memories and reduce dissociation or flashbacks.
Question 8
, Which statement by a client taking an SSRI indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. “I should not stop this medication suddenly.”
B. “It may take several weeks before I notice improvement.”
C. “I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better.”
D. “I should report unusual changes in mood.”
Answer: C. “I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better.”
Rationale: SSRIs should generally be tapered under medical supervision.
Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Question 9
A client with anorexia nervosa has a heart rate of 42/min and reports dizziness.
What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Encourage the client to exercise.
B. Obtain immediate medical evaluation.
C. Discuss body-image concerns.
D. Ask the client to complete a food diary.
Answer: B. Obtain immediate medical evaluation.
Rationale: Severe bradycardia and dizziness indicate possible cardiovascular
instability associated with malnutrition and require urgent assessment.
Question 10
A client with bulimia nervosa is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Recurrent vomiting and laxative misuse can cause significant
potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia and potentially dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias.
4 100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
A client with major depressive disorder says, “My family would be better off
without me.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “You should focus on the positive things in your life.”
B. “Why do you think your family feels that way?”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
D. “Your family needs you.”
Answer: C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: Directly assessing suicidal thoughts is the priority when a client
expresses hopelessness or perceived burdensomeness. Asking about suicide
does not increase suicidal behavior and allows the nurse to determine
immediate risk.
Question 2
A client experiencing acute mania is pacing rapidly and speaking loudly. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group activities.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Challenge the client’s grandiose statements.
D. Allow unlimited activity to expend energy.
Answer: B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
,Rationale: Reducing environmental stimulation helps decrease agitation and
prevents escalation of manic behavior.
Question 3
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices saying, “You are worthless.”
Which response should the nurse make?
A. “The voices are not real, so ignore them.”
B. “I understand that you hear the voices, but I do not hear them.”
C. “What did you do to make the voices angry?”
D. “You should argue with the voices.”
Answer: B. “I understand that you hear the voices, but I do not hear them.”
Rationale: The nurse acknowledges the client’s experience without validating
the hallucination as reality. This promotes trust and reality-based
communication.
Question 4
A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea, vomiting, and coarse hand
tremors. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the next lithium dose.
B. Encourage increased sodium restriction.
C. Hold the lithium and notify the provider.
D. Reassure the client that these effects are expected.
Answer: C. Hold the lithium and notify the provider.
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms and coarse tremors may
indicate lithium toxicity. The medication should be withheld and the provider
notified promptly.
Question 5
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands.
Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Immediately prevent all handwashing.
B. Encourage the client to discuss the anxiety associated with the ritual.
,C. Tell the client the behavior is irrational.
D. Ignore the client completely.
Answer: B. Encourage the client to discuss the anxiety associated with the
ritual.
Rationale: Exploring the anxiety underlying compulsive behavior promotes
therapeutic communication. Abruptly stopping rituals can increase anxiety.
Question 6
A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating and trembling. What
should the nurse do?
A. Leave the client alone to decrease stimulation.
B. Ask the client to describe childhood stressors.
C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Encourage detailed problem-solving.
Answer: C. Stay with the client and use short, simple statements.
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, concentration is impaired. Staying
with the client provides safety, while simple communication reduces cognitive
demands.
Question 7
A client with post-traumatic stress disorder begins experiencing flashbacks.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to relive the trauma immediately.
B. Help the client identify current surroundings and sensations.
C. Tell the client the trauma is in the past and should be forgotten.
D. Restrict all discussion of the trauma.
Answer: B. Help the client identify current surroundings and sensations.
Rationale: Grounding techniques help distinguish the present environment
from traumatic memories and reduce dissociation or flashbacks.
Question 8
, Which statement by a client taking an SSRI indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. “I should not stop this medication suddenly.”
B. “It may take several weeks before I notice improvement.”
C. “I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better.”
D. “I should report unusual changes in mood.”
Answer: C. “I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better.”
Rationale: SSRIs should generally be tapered under medical supervision.
Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Question 9
A client with anorexia nervosa has a heart rate of 42/min and reports dizziness.
What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Encourage the client to exercise.
B. Obtain immediate medical evaluation.
C. Discuss body-image concerns.
D. Ask the client to complete a food diary.
Answer: B. Obtain immediate medical evaluation.
Rationale: Severe bradycardia and dizziness indicate possible cardiovascular
instability associated with malnutrition and require urgent assessment.
Question 10
A client with bulimia nervosa is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Recurrent vomiting and laxative misuse can cause significant
potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia and potentially dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias.
