PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

1. The nurse is caring for a client who experiences false sensory perceptions with no basis
in reality. These perceptions are known as:
a. delusions.
b. hallucinations.
c. loose associations.
d. neologisms.

2. The nurse is caring for a client who is suicidal. When accompanying the client to the
bathroom, the nurse should:
a. give him privacy in the bathroom.
b. allow him to shave.
c. open the window and allow him to get some fresh air.
d. observe him.

3. The nurse is developing a care plan for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which action
should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Restrict visits with the family until the client begins to eat.
b. Provide privacy during meals.
c. Set up a strict eating plan for the client.
d. Encourage the client to exercise, which will reduce her anxiety.
4. A client whose husband recently left her is admitted to the hospital with severe
depression. The nurse suspects that the client is at risk for suicide. Which of the following
questions would be most appropriate and helpful for the nurse to ask during an
assessment for suicide risk?
a. "Are you sure you want to kill yourself?"
b. "I know if my husband left me, I'd want to kill myself. Is that what you think?"
c. "How do you think you would kill yourself?"
d. "Why don't you just look at the positives in your life?"

5. The nurse is caring for a client who she believes has been abusing opiates. Assessment
findings in a client abusing opiates, such as morphine, include:
a. dilated pupils and slurred speech.
b. rapid speech and agitation.
c. dilated pupils and agitation.
d. euphoria and constricted pupils.

6. The nurse is caring for a client experiencing an anxiety attack. Appropriate nursing
interventions include:
a. turning on the lights and opening the windows so that the client doesn't feel crowded.
b. leaving the client alone.
c. staying with the client and speaking in short sentences.
d. turning on stereo music.
7. The nurse is teaching a new group of mental health aides. The nurse should teach the
aides that setting limits is most important for:
a. a depressed client.
b. a manic client.
c. a suicidal client.
d. an anxious client.

8. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of delusions of grandeur. This diagnosis reflects a

9. The nurse is caring for a client, a Vietnam veteran, who exhibits signs and symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder. Signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
include:
a. hyper alertness and sleep disturbances.
b. memory loss of traumatic event and somatic distress.
c. feelings of hostility and violent behavior.
d. sudden behavioral changes and anorexia.

10. The nurse is caring for a client with manic depression. The care plan for a client in a
manic state would include:
a. offering high-calorie meals and strongly encouraging the client to finish all food.
b. insisting that the client remain active throughout the day so that he'll sleep at night.
c. allowing the client to exhibit hyperactive, demanding, manipulative behavior without
setting limits.
d. listening attentively with a neutral attitude and avoiding power struggles.

11. A client is a Vietnam War veteran with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. He
has a history of nightmares, depression, hopelessness, and alcohol abuse. Which option
offers the client the most lasting relief of his symptoms?
a. The opportunity to verbalize memories of trauma to a sympathetic listener
b. Family support
c. Prescribed medications taken as ordered
d. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings

12. A client is admitted for detoxification after a cocaine overdose. The client tells the nurse
that he frequently uses cocaine but that he can control his use if he chooses. Which
coping mechanism is he using?
a. Withdrawal
b. Logical thinking
c. Repression
d. Denial
13. A 22-year-old client is diagnosed with dependent personality disorder. Which behavior is
most likely evidence of ineffective individual coping?
a. Inability to make choices and decisions without advice
b. Showing interest only in solitary activities
c. Avoiding developing relationships
d. Recurrent self-destructive behavior with history of depression

14. A 38-year-old client is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. The most common early sign or
symptom that this client is likely to experience is:
a. impending coma.
b. manipulating behavior.
c. suppression.
d. perceptual disorders.
15. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder. Which signs
would this client exhibit during social situations?
a. Aggressive behavior
b. Paranoid thoughts
c. Emotional affect
d. Independence needs

16. The nurse is caring for a client in an acute manic state. What's the most effective nursing
action for this client?
a. Assigning him to group activities
b. Reducing his stimulation
c. Assisting him with self-care
d. Helping him express his feelings

17. The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The most appropriate initial goal
for a client diagnosed with bulimia is to:
a. avoid shopping for large amounts of food.
b. control eating impulses.
c. identify anxiety-causing situations.
d. eat only three meals per day.

18. The nurse is caring for a 40-year-old client. Which behavior by the client indicates adult
cognitive development?
a. Has perceptions based on reality
b. Assumes responsibility for actions
c. Generates new levels of awareness
d. Has maximum ability to solve problems and learn new skills

19. A client with bipolar disorder is being treated with lithium for the first time. The nurse
should observe the client for which common adverse effect of lithium?
a. Sexual dysfunction
b. Constipation
c. Polyuria
 d. Seizures

20. A client is admitted for an overdose of amphetamines. When assessing this client, the
nurse should expect to see:
a. tension and irritability.
b. slow pulse.
c. hypotension.
d. constipation.

21. During a shift report, the nurse learns that she'll be providing care for a client who is
vulnerable to panic attack. Treatment for panic attacks includes behavioral therapy,
supportive psychotherapy, and medication such as:
a. barbiturates.
b. antianxiety drugs.
c. depressants.
d. amphetamines.

22. A client comes to the emergency department while experiencing a panic attack. The
nurse can best respond to a client having a panic attack by:
a. staying with the client until the attack subsides.
b. telling the client everything is under control.
c. telling the client to lie down and rest.
d. talking continually to the client by explaining what's happening.

23. A 24-year-old client is experiencing an acute schizophrenic episode. He has vivid

24. A client with paranoid type schizophrenia becomes angry and tells the nurse to leave him
alone. The nurse should:
a. tell him that she'll leave for now but will return soon.
b. ask him if it's okay if she sits quietly with him.
c. ask him why he wants to be left alone.
d. tell him that she won't let anything happen to him.

25. Tonic contractures of muscles in the neck, mouth, and tongue. The nurse should
recognize this as:
a. psychotic symptoms
b. parkinsonism
c. akathisia
d. dystonia
26. The nurse must administer a medication to reverse or prevent Parkinson-type symptoms
in a client receiving an antipsychotic. The medication the client will likely receive is:
a. benztropine (Cogentin).
b. diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
c. propranolol (Inderal).
d. haloperidol (Haldol).

27. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in a teaching plan for a
schizophrenic client taking clozapine (Clozaril)?
a. Monthly blood tests will be necessary.
b. Report a sore throat or fever to the physician immediately.
c. Blood pressure must be monitored for hypertension.
d. Stop the medication when symptoms subside.

28. A client with manic episodes is taking lithium. Which electrolyte level should the nurse
check before administering this medication?
a. Calcium
b. Sodium
c. Chloride
d. Potassium

29. A client is admitted to the inpatient unit of the mental health center with a diagnosis of
paranoid schizophrenia. He's shouting that the government of France is trying to
assassinate him. Which of the following responses is most appropriate?
a. "I think you're wrong. France is a friendly country and an ally of the United States. Their
government wouldn't try to kill you."
b. "I find it hard to believe that a foreign government or anyone else is trying to hurt you.
You must feel frightened by this."
c. "You're wrong. Nobody is trying to kill you."
d. "A foreign government is trying to kill you? Please tell me more about it."

30. A client has been receiving chlorpromazine (Thorazine), an antipsychotic, to treat his
psychosis. Which finding should alert the nurse that the client is experiencing
pseudoparkinsonism?
a. Restlessness, difficulty sitting still, pacing
b. Involuntary rolling of the eyes
c. Tremors, shuffling gait, mask like face
d. Extremity and neck spasms, facial grimacing, jerky movements

31. A 54-year-old female was found unconscious on the floor of her bathroom with self-
inflicted wrist lacerations. An ambulance was called and the client was taken to the
emergency department. When she was stable, the client was transferred to the inpatient
psychiatric unit for observation and treatment with antidepressants. Now that the client is
feeling better, which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
a. Observing for extrapyramidal symptoms
b. Beginning a therapeutic relationship
 c. Canceling any no-suicide contracts
d. Continuing suicide precautions

32. A 26-year-old male reports losing his sight in both eyes. He's diagnosed as having a
conversion disorder and is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which nursing intervention
would be most appropriate for this client?
a. Not focusing on his blindness
b. Providing self-care for him
c. Telling him that his blindness isn't real
d. Teaching eye exercises to strengthen his eyes

33. A client has a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. She has attached herself to
one nurse and refuses to speak with other staff members. She tells the nurse that the
other nurses are mean, withhold her medication, and mistreat her. The staff is discussing
this problem at their weekly conference. Which intervention would be most appropriate for
the nursing staff to implement?
a. Provide an unstructured environment for the client.
b. Rotate the nurses who are assigned to the client.
c. Ignore the client's behaviors.
d. Bend unit rules to meet the client's needs.

34. A client is being admitted to the substance abuse unit for alcohol detoxification. As part of
the intake interview, the nurse asks him when he had his last alcoholic drink. He says that
he had his last drink 6 hours before admission. Based on this response, the nurse should
expect early withdrawal symptoms to:
a. not occur at all because the time period for their occurrence has passed.
b. begin anytime within the next 1 to 2 days.
c. begin within 2 to 7 days.
d. begin after 7 days.

35. Which of the following factors would have the most influence on the outcome of a crisis
situation?
a. Age
b. Previous coping skills
c. Self-esteem
d. Perception of the problem

36. The nurse is caring for an elderly client in a long-term care facility. The client has a history
of attempted suicide. The nurse observes the client giving away personal belongings and
has heard the client express feelings of hopelessness to other residents. Which
intervention should the nurse perform first?
a. Setting aside time to listen to the client
b. Removing items that the client could use in a suicide attempt
c. Communicating a nonjudgmental attitude
d. Referring the client to a mental health professional
37. The nurse is caring for an adolescent female who reports amenorrhea, weight loss, and
depression. Which additional assessment finding would suggest that the woman has an
eating disorder?
a. Wearing tight-fitting clothing
b. Increased blood pressure
c. Oily skin
d. Excessive and ritualized exercise

38. A high school student is referred to the school nurse for suspected substance abuse.
Following the nurse's assessment and interventions, what would be the most desirable
outcome?
a. The student discusses conflicts over drug use.
b. The student accepts a referral to a substance abuse counselor.
c. The student agrees to inform his parents of the problem.
d. The student reports increased comfort with making choices.

39. The nurse is using drawing, puppetry, and other forms of play therapy while treating a
terminally ill, school-age child. The purpose of these techniques is to help the child:
a. internalize his feelings about death and dying.
b. accept responsibility for his situation.
c. express feelings that he can't articulate.
d. have a good time while he's in the hospital.

40. The nurse is working with a client who abuses alcohol. Which of the following facts should
the nurse communicate to the client?
a. Abstinence is the basis for successful treatment.
b. Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings every day will cure alcoholism.
c. For treatment to be successful, family members must participate.
d. An occasional social drink is acceptable behavior for the alcoholic.

41. One staff member in a psychiatric unit says to the nurse, "Why are we carrying out
suicide precautions for someone who is dying? It's pointless and a waste of time." The
nurse should:
a. Assign the staff member to other clients.
b. Ask the psychiatric clinical nurse specialist to meet with the staff member.
c. Agree with the staff member and discontinue suicide precautions.
d. Call for a multidisciplinary staff meeting.

42. The client with dual diagnoses of major depression and alcohol abuse states, "I only drink
when I can't sleep." An initial outcome for this client is that the client will:
a. Describe adaptive methods of coping to induce sleep.
b. Verbalize negative effects of alcohol on the body.
c. Describe dangerous effects when combining alcohol and antidepressant medication.
d. Verbalize the desire to stop drinking alcohol.
43. The nurse will conduct a psycho educational group for family members about depression.
Which of the following topics would be of little help to the family members?
a. Managing the depressed client at home.
b. Drug classifications.
c. Support and self-help groups.
d. Education about depression.

44. In teaching a client about Alcoholics Anonymous, the nurse states that Alcoholics
Anonymous has helped in the rehabilitation of many alcoholics, probably because many
people find it easier to change their behavior when they:
a. Have the support of rehabilitated alcoholics.
b. Know that rehabilitated alcoholics will sympathize with them.
c. Can depend on rehabilitated alcoholics to help them identify personal problems related
to alcoholism.
d. Realize that rehabilitated alcoholics will help them develop defense mechanisms to
cope with their alcoholism.

45. A client walks into the mental health clinic and states to the nurse, "I guess I can't make it
without my wife. I can't even sleep without her." Which of the following responses by the
nurse would be most therapeutic?
a. "Things always look worse before they get better."
b. "I'd say that you're not giving yourself a fair chance."
c. "I'll ask the doctor for some sleeping pills for you."
d. "Tell me more about what you mean when you say you can't make it without
your wife."

46. During the conversation with the nurse, a victim of physical abuse says, "Let me try to
explain why I stay with my husband." Which of the following reasons would the client be
LEAST likely to mention?
a. "I'm responsible for keeping my family together."
b. "When it's not too bad, the abuse adds spice to our relationship."
c. "I love my husband."
d. "I'm not sure I could get a job that pays even minimum wage."

47. During a home visit, the client tells the nurse she's not taking prescribed doses of
haloperidol (Haldol) because she's tired of bothering with it and doesn't need it. The
nurse's best action is to:
a. Explain the negative effects of skipping the medication.
b. Consult with the physician about changing the medication to haloperidol
decanoate (Haldol Decanoate) injections.
c. Have the client's family begin commitment procedures so that her medication regimen
can be supervised more closely.
d. Refer the client to a partial hospitalization program so that she can participate regularly
 in group therapy sessions.

48. The client has been taking the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) phenelzine (Nardil),
10 mg bid. The physician orders a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI),
paroxetine (Paxil), 20 mg given every morning. The nurse:
a. Gives the medication as ordered.
b. Questions the physician about the order.
c. Questions the dosage ordered.
d. Asks the physician to order benztropine (Cogentin) for the side effects.

49. A voluntary client has been taking haloperidol (Haldol) as prescribed. One morning, she
refuses to take the Haldol. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Summon another nurse to help ensure that the client takes her medicine.
b. Tell the client that she can take the medication either orally or by injection.
c. Withhold the medication until it is determined why the client is refusing to take it.
d. Tell the client that she needs to take her "vitamin" to stay healthy.

50. The client is taking fluoxetine (Prozac) 20 mg at bedtime. He states that Prozac is not
helping him to sleep. The nurse judges:
a. That the client should take Prozac in the morning.
b. That dose is too high.
c. That the client's symptoms of depression seem to be getting worse.
d. That the client is on the wrong medication.