NCLEX Sample Questions for Psychiatric Nursing

Part 1 of NCLEX sample questions for psychiatric nursing. It consists of 25 items complete with answers and rationale. Subscribe in our e-mail to receive more NCLEX practice test like this.

       1.     Mental health is defined as:

a.       The ability to distinguish what is real from what is not.

b.       A state of well-being where a person can realize his own abilities can cope with normal stresses of life and work productively.

c.        Is the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental disorders, nursing care of patients during illness and rehabilitation

d.       Absence of mental illness

       2.     Which of the following describes the role of a technician?

a.       Administers medications to a schizophrenic patient.

b.       The nurse feeds and bathes a catatonic client

c.        Coordinates diverse aspects of care rendered to the patient

d.       Disseminates information about alcohol and its effects.

       3.     Liza says, “Give me 10 minutes to recall the name of our college professor who failed many students in our anatomy class.” She is operating on her:

a.       Subconscious

b.       Conscious

c.        Unconscious

d.       Ego

       4.     The superego is that part of the psyche that:

a.       Uses defensive function for protection.

b.       Is impulsive and without morals.

c.        Determines the circumstances before making decisions.

d.       The censoring portion of the mind.

       5.     Primary level of prevention is exemplified by:

a.       Helping the client resume self care.

b.       Ensuring the safety of a suicidal client in the institution.

c.        Teaching the client stress management techniques

d.       Case finding and surveillance in the community

       6.     Situation: In a home visit done by the nurse, she suspects that the wife and her child are victims of abuse. Which of the following is the most appropriate for the nurse to ask?

a.       “Are you being threatened or hurt by your partner?

b.       “Are you frightened of you partner”

c.        “Is something bothering you?”

d.       “What happens when you and your partner argue?”

       7.     The wife admits that she is a victim of abuse and opens up about her persistent distaste for sex. This sexual disorder is:

a.       Sexual desire disorder

b.       Sexual arousal Disorder

c.        Orgasm Disorder

d.       Sexual Pain Disorder

       8.     What would be the best approach for a wife who is still living with her abusive husband?

a.       “Here’s the number of a crisis center that you can call for help .”

b.       “Its best to leave your husband.”

c.        “Did you discuss this with your family?”

d.       “ Why do you allow yourself to be treated this way”

       9.     Which comment about a 3 year old child if made by the parent may indicate child abuse?

a.       “Once my child is toilet trained, I can still expect her to have some"

b.       “When I tell my child to do something once, I don’t expect to have to tell"

c.        “My child is expected to try to do things such as, dress and feed.”

d.       “My 3 year old loves to say NO.”

    10.     The primary nursing intervention for a victim of child abuse is:

a.       Assess the scope of the problem

b.       Analyze the family dynamics

c.        Ensure the safety of the victim

d.       Teach the victim coping skills

    11.     Situation: A 30 year old male employee frequently complains of low back pain that leads to frequent absences from work. Consultation and tests reveal negative results. The client has which somatoform disorder?

a.       Somatization Disorder

b.       Hypochondriaisis

c.        Conversion Disorder

d.       Somatoform Pain Disorder

    12.     Freud explains anxiety as:

a.       Strives to gratify the needs for satisfaction and security

b.       Conflict between id and superego

c.        A hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reaction to stress

d.       A conditioned response to stressors

    13.     The following are appropriate nursing diagnosis for the client EXCEPT:

a.       Ineffective individual coping

b.       Alteration in comfort, pain

c.        Altered role performance

d.       Impaired social interaction

    14.     The following statements describe somatoform disorders:

a.       Physical symptoms are explained by organic causes

b.       It is a voluntary expression of psychological conflicts

c.        Expression of conflicts through bodily symptoms

d.       Management entails a specific medical treatment

    15.     What would be the best response to the client’s repeated complaints of pain:

a.       “I know the feeling is real tests revealed negative results.”

b.        “I think you’re exaggerating things a little bit.”

c.        “Try to forget this feeling and have activities to take it off your mind”

d.       “So tell me more about the pain”

    16.     Situation: A nurse may encounter children with mental disorders. Her knowledge of these various disorders is vital. When planning school interventions for a child with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a guide to remember is to:

a.       provide as much structure as possible for the child

b.       ignore the child’s overactivity.

c.        encourage the child to engage in any play activity to dissipate energy

d.       remove the child from the classroom when disruptive behavior occurs

    17.     The child with conduct disorder will likely demonstrate:

a.       Easy distractibility to external stimuli.

b.       Ritualistic behaviors

c.        Preference for inanimate objects.

d.       Serious violations of age related norms.

    18.     Ritalin is the drug of choice for chidren with ADHD. The side effects of the following may be noted:

a.       increased attention span and concentration

b.       increase in appetite

c.        sleepiness and lethargy

d.       bradycardia and diarrhea

    19.     School phobia is usually treated by:

a.       Returning the child to the school immediately with family support.

b.       Calmly explaining why attendance in school is necessary

c.        Allowing the child to enter the school before the other children

d.       Allowing the parent to accompany the child in the classroom

    20.     A 10 year old child has very limited vocabulary and interaction skills. She has an I.Q. of 45. She is diagnosed to have Mental retardation of this classification:

a.       Profound

b.       Mild

c.        Moderate

d.       Severe

    21.     The nurse teaches the parents of a mentally retarded child regarding her care. The following guidelines may be taught except:

a.       overprotection of the child

b.       patience, routine and repetition

c.        assisting the parents set realistic goals

d.       giving reasonable compliments

    22.     The parents express apprehensions on their ability to care for their maladaptive child. The nurse identifies what nursing diagnosis:

a.       hopelessness

b.       altered parenting role

c.        altered family process

d.        ineffective coping

    23.     A 5 year old boy is diagnosed to have autistic disorder. Which of the following manifestations may be noted in a client with autistic disorder?

a.       argumentativeness, disobedience, angry outburst

b.       intolerance to change, disturbed relatedness, stereotypes

c.        distractibility, impulsiveness and overactivity

d.       aggression, truancy, stealing, lying

    24.     The therapeutic approach in the care of an autistic child include the following EXCEPT:

a.       Engage in diversionary activities when acting -out

b.       Provide an atmosphere of acceptance

c.        Provide safety measures

d.       Rearrange the environment to activate the child

    25.     According to Piaget a 5 year old is in what stage of development:

a.       Sensory motor stage

b.       Concrete operations

c.        Pre-operational

d.       Formal operation

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