Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
NCLEX, Exam Preparation Questions – 50
Practice Questions With Answers and
Rationales
Introduction:
This document contains 50 NCLEX-style practice questions
focused on psychiatric and mental health nursing, each
accompanied by clear correct answers and detailed rationales.
The questions cover a broad range of topics including
substance abuse, eating disorders, personality disorders,
suicide risk assessment, child and domestic abuse,
psychopharmacology, and crisis intervention, making it a
comprehensive study tool for NCLEX and nursing exams.
Exam Questions and Answers with Rationales:
A male client voluntarily admits himself to the substance abuse
unit. He confesses that he drinks 1 qt or more of vodka each
day and uses container occasionally. Later that afternoon, he
begins to show signs of alcohol withdrawal. What are some
early signs of this condition?
A. Vomiting, diarrhea, and bradycardia
B. Dehydration, temperature above 101 F (38.3 C), and pruritis
C. Hypertension, diaphoresis, and seizures
,D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness ---Correct Answer---
D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome includes alcohol
withdrawal, alcoholic hallucinosis, and alcohol withdrawal
delirium (formerly delirium tremens). Signs of alcohol
withdrawal include diaphoresis, tremors, nervousness, nausea,
vomiting, malaise, increased blood pressure and pulse rate,
sleep disturbances, and irritability. Although diarrhea may be
an early sign of alcohol withdrawal, tachycardia - not -
bradycardia - is associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Dehydration and an elevated temperature may be expected,
but a temperature above 101 F indicates an infection rather
than alcohol withdrawal. Pruritus rarely occurs in alcohol
withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms remain untreated,
seizures may arise later.
When monitoring a female client recently admitted for
treatment of cocaine addiction, the nurse notes sudden
increases in the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. To
correct these problems, the nurse expects the physician to
prescribe:
A. Norepinephrine (Levophed) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
B. Nifedipine (Procardia) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
C. Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid IV) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
,D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc) ---Correct
Answer---D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
Rationale: This client requires a vasodilator, such as
nifedipine to treat hypertension, and a beta-adrenergic
blocker, such as esmolol, to reduce the heart rate. Lidocaine,
an anti arrhythmic, isn't indicated because the client doesn't
have an arrhythmia. Although nitroglycerin may be used to
treat coronary vasospasm, it isn't the drug of choice in
hypertension.
A 25-year-old client experiencing alcohol withdrawal is upset
about going through detoxification. Which of the following
goals is a priority?
A. The client will commit to a drug-free lifestyle
B. The client will work with the nurse to remain safe
C. The client will drink plenty of fluids daily
D. The client will make a personal inventory of strengths ---
Correct Answer---B. The client will work with the nurse to
remain safe
Rationale: The priority goal in alcohol withdrawal is
maintaining the client' safety. Committing to a drug-free
lifestyle, drinking plenty of fluids, and identifying personal
strengths are important goals, but ensure the client's safety is
the nurse's top priority.
, Flumazenil (Romazicon) has been ordered for a male client
who has overdosed on oxazepam (Serax). Before administering
the medication, the nurse should be prepared for which
common adverse effect?
A. Seizures
B. Shivering
C. Anxiety
D. Chest pain ---Correct Answer---A. Seizures
Rationale: Seizures are the most common adverse effect of
using flumazenil to reverse benzodiazepine overdose. The
effect is magnified if the client has a combined tricyclic
antidepressant and benzodiazepine overdose. Less common
adverse effects includer shivering, anxiety, and chest pain.
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 ---Correct Answer---C. Identify
anxiety-causing situations
NCLEX, Exam Preparation Questions – 50
Practice Questions With Answers and
Rationales
Introduction:
This document contains 50 NCLEX-style practice questions
focused on psychiatric and mental health nursing, each
accompanied by clear correct answers and detailed rationales.
The questions cover a broad range of topics including
substance abuse, eating disorders, personality disorders,
suicide risk assessment, child and domestic abuse,
psychopharmacology, and crisis intervention, making it a
comprehensive study tool for NCLEX and nursing exams.
Exam Questions and Answers with Rationales:
A male client voluntarily admits himself to the substance abuse
unit. He confesses that he drinks 1 qt or more of vodka each
day and uses container occasionally. Later that afternoon, he
begins to show signs of alcohol withdrawal. What are some
early signs of this condition?
A. Vomiting, diarrhea, and bradycardia
B. Dehydration, temperature above 101 F (38.3 C), and pruritis
C. Hypertension, diaphoresis, and seizures
,D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness ---Correct Answer---
D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome includes alcohol
withdrawal, alcoholic hallucinosis, and alcohol withdrawal
delirium (formerly delirium tremens). Signs of alcohol
withdrawal include diaphoresis, tremors, nervousness, nausea,
vomiting, malaise, increased blood pressure and pulse rate,
sleep disturbances, and irritability. Although diarrhea may be
an early sign of alcohol withdrawal, tachycardia - not -
bradycardia - is associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Dehydration and an elevated temperature may be expected,
but a temperature above 101 F indicates an infection rather
than alcohol withdrawal. Pruritus rarely occurs in alcohol
withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms remain untreated,
seizures may arise later.
When monitoring a female client recently admitted for
treatment of cocaine addiction, the nurse notes sudden
increases in the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. To
correct these problems, the nurse expects the physician to
prescribe:
A. Norepinephrine (Levophed) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
B. Nifedipine (Procardia) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
C. Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid IV) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
,D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc) ---Correct
Answer---D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
Rationale: This client requires a vasodilator, such as
nifedipine to treat hypertension, and a beta-adrenergic
blocker, such as esmolol, to reduce the heart rate. Lidocaine,
an anti arrhythmic, isn't indicated because the client doesn't
have an arrhythmia. Although nitroglycerin may be used to
treat coronary vasospasm, it isn't the drug of choice in
hypertension.
A 25-year-old client experiencing alcohol withdrawal is upset
about going through detoxification. Which of the following
goals is a priority?
A. The client will commit to a drug-free lifestyle
B. The client will work with the nurse to remain safe
C. The client will drink plenty of fluids daily
D. The client will make a personal inventory of strengths ---
Correct Answer---B. The client will work with the nurse to
remain safe
Rationale: The priority goal in alcohol withdrawal is
maintaining the client' safety. Committing to a drug-free
lifestyle, drinking plenty of fluids, and identifying personal
strengths are important goals, but ensure the client's safety is
the nurse's top priority.
, Flumazenil (Romazicon) has been ordered for a male client
who has overdosed on oxazepam (Serax). Before administering
the medication, the nurse should be prepared for which
common adverse effect?
A. Seizures
B. Shivering
C. Anxiety
D. Chest pain ---Correct Answer---A. Seizures
Rationale: Seizures are the most common adverse effect of
using flumazenil to reverse benzodiazepine overdose. The
effect is magnified if the client has a combined tricyclic
antidepressant and benzodiazepine overdose. Less common
adverse effects includer shivering, anxiety, and chest pain.
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 ---Correct Answer---C. Identify
anxiety-causing situations
