NU 664: FAMILY PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH 1 |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES | EXAM ALREADY GRADED A+ | LATEST
EXAM
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with major depressive disorder. Which symptom is most
characteristic of depression?
A. Euphoria
B. Hyperactivity
C. Anhedonia
D. Hallucinations
Answer: C. Anhedonia – Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities is a core symptom of
major depressive disorder.
2. Which theoretical framework emphasizes the influence of unconscious processes on
behavior?
A. Behavioral
B. Cognitive
C. Psychoanalytic
D. Humanistic
Answer: C. Psychoanalytic – Sigmund Freud’s theory focuses on unconscious motives, conflicts,
and early childhood experiences.
3. A nurse uses active listening when a patient is expressing anxiety. Which behavior
demonstrates active listening?
A. Giving advice
B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding
C. Changing the subject
D. Offering reassurances immediately
Answer: B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding – Active listening involves attending fully,
demonstrating understanding, and encouraging elaboration.
4. A child exhibits temper tantrums, defiance, and frequent arguments at home. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Conduct disorder
B. Oppositional defiant disorder
C. ADHD
D. Separation anxiety disorder
Answer: B. Oppositional defiant disorder – Characterized by persistent negativistic, defiant,
disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing acute mania?
A. Encourage solitary activities
,B. Provide structured environment and set limits
C. Increase environmental stimuli
D. Encourage extended verbal expression
Answer: B. Provide structured environment and set limits – Limits help manage impulsivity,
ensure safety, and reduce overstimulation.
6. A nurse teaching a family about schizophrenia should include which fact?
A. It is caused by bad parenting
B. Symptoms only occur in childhood
C. Antipsychotic medications can help manage symptoms
D. Psychotherapy alone is sufficient treatment
Answer: C. Antipsychotic medications can help manage symptoms – Pharmacotherapy is the
mainstay for symptom management in schizophrenia.
7. Which statement demonstrates a therapeutic use of self?
A. “I think you should…”
B. “Tell me more about your feelings right now.”
C. “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
D. “Don’t worry, it will be fine.”
Answer: B. “Tell me more about your feelings right now.” – Using open-ended questions
encourages patients to express themselves and fosters trust.
8. A patient reports hearing voices commenting on their actions. Which symptom is this?
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Obsession
D. Compulsion
Answer: B. Hallucination – Perceptual disturbances, such as hearing voices, occur without an
external stimulus.
9. Which family therapy approach focuses on changing communication patterns within the
family?
A. Psychoanalytic family therapy
B. Structural family therapy
C. Cognitive behavioral therapy
D. Milieu therapy
Answer: B. Structural family therapy – Focuses on family organization, subsystems, and
communication patterns to improve functioning.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Encourage avoidance of stressful situations
B. Teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies
C. Advise patient to ignore anxiety
D. Promote constant social interaction
,Answer: B. Teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies – Evidence-based strategies help
patients manage chronic anxiety effectively.
11. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and is targeted
by SSRIs?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Glutamate
Answer: B. Serotonin – SSRIs increase serotonin levels to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
12. A patient with PTSD experiences recurrent nightmares and flashbacks. Which
intervention is most effective?
A. Encourage avoidance of triggers
B. Use grounding techniques and trauma-focused therapy
C. Limit verbal expression of trauma
D. Prescribe stimulants
Answer: B. Use grounding techniques and trauma-focused therapy – These interventions help
patients process trauma safely and reduce re-experiencing symptoms.
13. Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to
others?
A. Repression
B. Projection
C. Sublimation
D. Regression
Answer: B. Projection – Individuals may unconsciously project their feelings or impulses onto
others to avoid acknowledging them.
14. Which symptom is most characteristic of borderline personality disorder?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Emotional instability and fear of abandonment
C. Obsessive routines
D. Persistent hallucinations
Answer: B. Emotional instability and fear of abandonment – BPD is marked by impulsive
behavior and unstable relationships.
15. A nurse is planning care for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which approach is
priority?
A. Focus on weight gain only
B. Monitor for medical complications and provide nutritional support
C. Encourage prolonged exercise
D. Avoid discussing food and eating
Answer: B. Monitor for medical complications and provide nutritional support – Ensuring safety
and stabilizing health is the priority.
, 16. Which statement best demonstrates motivational interviewing?
A. “You must stop drinking immediately.”
B. “What are your thoughts about your current drinking habits?”
C. “Drinking is destroying your life.”
D. “I know what’s best for you.”
Answer: B. “What are your thoughts about your current drinking habits?” – Motivational
interviewing is collaborative and encourages patient self-reflection.
17. Which is a common side effect of lithium therapy?
A. Bradycardia
B. Polyuria and tremors
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Insomnia only
Answer: B. Polyuria and tremors – Lithium can cause increased urination, tremors, and requires
monitoring of levels for toxicity.
18. A patient with schizophrenia is withdrawn and rarely speaks. Which negative symptom
is this?
A. Hallucinations
B. Alogia
C. Delusions
D. Tangentiality
Answer: B. Alogia – Poverty of speech and limited verbal expression is a negative symptom.
19. Which cultural consideration is important when planning psychiatric care?
A. Avoid asking about cultural beliefs
B. Assume all patients share the same worldview
C. Incorporate patient’s cultural values into care planning
D. Focus solely on pharmacologic interventions
Answer: C. Incorporate patient’s cultural values into care planning – Cultural sensitivity
improves therapeutic engagement and outcomes.
20. Which type of therapy is most effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Exposure and response prevention
C. Supportive therapy
D. Family therapy
Answer: B. Exposure and response prevention – Behavioral therapy targeting compulsions and
obsessions is evidence-based for OCD.
21. A patient is prescribed a new antipsychotic. Which teaching point is essential?
A. “You can stop medication if you feel better.”
B. “Take medication consistently and monitor for side effects.”
C. “Medication will cure all symptoms immediately.”
D. “No lab monitoring is necessary.”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES | EXAM ALREADY GRADED A+ | LATEST
EXAM
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with major depressive disorder. Which symptom is most
characteristic of depression?
A. Euphoria
B. Hyperactivity
C. Anhedonia
D. Hallucinations
Answer: C. Anhedonia – Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities is a core symptom of
major depressive disorder.
2. Which theoretical framework emphasizes the influence of unconscious processes on
behavior?
A. Behavioral
B. Cognitive
C. Psychoanalytic
D. Humanistic
Answer: C. Psychoanalytic – Sigmund Freud’s theory focuses on unconscious motives, conflicts,
and early childhood experiences.
3. A nurse uses active listening when a patient is expressing anxiety. Which behavior
demonstrates active listening?
A. Giving advice
B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding
C. Changing the subject
D. Offering reassurances immediately
Answer: B. Maintaining eye contact and nodding – Active listening involves attending fully,
demonstrating understanding, and encouraging elaboration.
4. A child exhibits temper tantrums, defiance, and frequent arguments at home. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Conduct disorder
B. Oppositional defiant disorder
C. ADHD
D. Separation anxiety disorder
Answer: B. Oppositional defiant disorder – Characterized by persistent negativistic, defiant,
disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing acute mania?
A. Encourage solitary activities
,B. Provide structured environment and set limits
C. Increase environmental stimuli
D. Encourage extended verbal expression
Answer: B. Provide structured environment and set limits – Limits help manage impulsivity,
ensure safety, and reduce overstimulation.
6. A nurse teaching a family about schizophrenia should include which fact?
A. It is caused by bad parenting
B. Symptoms only occur in childhood
C. Antipsychotic medications can help manage symptoms
D. Psychotherapy alone is sufficient treatment
Answer: C. Antipsychotic medications can help manage symptoms – Pharmacotherapy is the
mainstay for symptom management in schizophrenia.
7. Which statement demonstrates a therapeutic use of self?
A. “I think you should…”
B. “Tell me more about your feelings right now.”
C. “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
D. “Don’t worry, it will be fine.”
Answer: B. “Tell me more about your feelings right now.” – Using open-ended questions
encourages patients to express themselves and fosters trust.
8. A patient reports hearing voices commenting on their actions. Which symptom is this?
A. Delusion
B. Hallucination
C. Obsession
D. Compulsion
Answer: B. Hallucination – Perceptual disturbances, such as hearing voices, occur without an
external stimulus.
9. Which family therapy approach focuses on changing communication patterns within the
family?
A. Psychoanalytic family therapy
B. Structural family therapy
C. Cognitive behavioral therapy
D. Milieu therapy
Answer: B. Structural family therapy – Focuses on family organization, subsystems, and
communication patterns to improve functioning.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Encourage avoidance of stressful situations
B. Teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies
C. Advise patient to ignore anxiety
D. Promote constant social interaction
,Answer: B. Teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies – Evidence-based strategies help
patients manage chronic anxiety effectively.
11. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation and is targeted
by SSRIs?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Glutamate
Answer: B. Serotonin – SSRIs increase serotonin levels to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
12. A patient with PTSD experiences recurrent nightmares and flashbacks. Which
intervention is most effective?
A. Encourage avoidance of triggers
B. Use grounding techniques and trauma-focused therapy
C. Limit verbal expression of trauma
D. Prescribe stimulants
Answer: B. Use grounding techniques and trauma-focused therapy – These interventions help
patients process trauma safely and reduce re-experiencing symptoms.
13. Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to
others?
A. Repression
B. Projection
C. Sublimation
D. Regression
Answer: B. Projection – Individuals may unconsciously project their feelings or impulses onto
others to avoid acknowledging them.
14. Which symptom is most characteristic of borderline personality disorder?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Emotional instability and fear of abandonment
C. Obsessive routines
D. Persistent hallucinations
Answer: B. Emotional instability and fear of abandonment – BPD is marked by impulsive
behavior and unstable relationships.
15. A nurse is planning care for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which approach is
priority?
A. Focus on weight gain only
B. Monitor for medical complications and provide nutritional support
C. Encourage prolonged exercise
D. Avoid discussing food and eating
Answer: B. Monitor for medical complications and provide nutritional support – Ensuring safety
and stabilizing health is the priority.
, 16. Which statement best demonstrates motivational interviewing?
A. “You must stop drinking immediately.”
B. “What are your thoughts about your current drinking habits?”
C. “Drinking is destroying your life.”
D. “I know what’s best for you.”
Answer: B. “What are your thoughts about your current drinking habits?” – Motivational
interviewing is collaborative and encourages patient self-reflection.
17. Which is a common side effect of lithium therapy?
A. Bradycardia
B. Polyuria and tremors
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Insomnia only
Answer: B. Polyuria and tremors – Lithium can cause increased urination, tremors, and requires
monitoring of levels for toxicity.
18. A patient with schizophrenia is withdrawn and rarely speaks. Which negative symptom
is this?
A. Hallucinations
B. Alogia
C. Delusions
D. Tangentiality
Answer: B. Alogia – Poverty of speech and limited verbal expression is a negative symptom.
19. Which cultural consideration is important when planning psychiatric care?
A. Avoid asking about cultural beliefs
B. Assume all patients share the same worldview
C. Incorporate patient’s cultural values into care planning
D. Focus solely on pharmacologic interventions
Answer: C. Incorporate patient’s cultural values into care planning – Cultural sensitivity
improves therapeutic engagement and outcomes.
20. Which type of therapy is most effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Exposure and response prevention
C. Supportive therapy
D. Family therapy
Answer: B. Exposure and response prevention – Behavioral therapy targeting compulsions and
obsessions is evidence-based for OCD.
21. A patient is prescribed a new antipsychotic. Which teaching point is essential?
A. “You can stop medication if you feel better.”
B. “Take medication consistently and monitor for side effects.”
C. “Medication will cure all symptoms immediately.”
D. “No lab monitoring is necessary.”
