NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Week 4 Quiz 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which of the
following nursing interventions should be the priority?
A. Teach the client a new deep-breathing technique
B. Stay with the client and remain calm
C. Ask the client to explain what triggered the attack
D. Administer an immediate dose of an SSRI
Answer: B
Rationale: During a panic attack, the nurse’s priority is safety and reducing anxiety.
Staying with the client provides reassurance, and a calm demeanor helps lower the client’s
anxiety level. Education and analysis of triggers should occur after the crisis has passed.
2. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends two hours each
morning arranging objects on a dresser. Which action should the nurse take
initially?
A. Allow the client enough time to perform the ritual
B. Tell the client that the behavior is irrational
C. Physically prevent the client from touching the objects
D. Give a firm ‘no’ command when the ritual begins
Answer: A
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the client to perform the ritual to prevent a
panic-level of anxiety. Forcing an immediate stop can be counterproductive. Limitation of
rituals should be done gradually as part of a treatment plan.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Which of
the following symptoms is characteristic of this disorder?
A. Sudden, unprovoked episodes of intense fear
B. A fear of being in places where escape might be difficult
C. Excessive worry about multiple events for at least 6 months
D. Flashbacks related to a traumatic event
Answer: C
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various things for
at least 6 months. Fear of being in inescapable places is Agoraphobia; sudden intense fear is
Panic Disorder; flashbacks are characteristic of PTSD.
4. A client is diagnosed with Conversion Disorder. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Development of physical symptoms without an organic cause
B. Intentional production of symptoms to gain attention
C. A preoccupation with having a serious undiagnosed illness
D. Multiple personality states
Answer: A
Rationale: Conversion Disorder involves the loss of or change in physical function (like
paralysis or blindness) without a physiological cause, often following a psychological
stressor. Intentional production is Factitious Disorder; preoccupation with illness is Illness
Anxiety Disorder.
5. A client experiencing severe anxiety is hyperventilating. Which level of
anxiety is the client likely demonstrating?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Panic
Answer: C
, Rationale: Severe anxiety often presents with physical symptoms like hyperventilation,
tachycardia, and a sense of impending doom. While Panic level is even more intense, severe
anxiety is where physiological responses become significantly pronounced and the
perceptual field is greatly reduced.
6. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for long-term
management of most anxiety disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Alprazolam
C. Diazepam
D. Zolpidem
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs like Sertraline are first-line treatments for long-term anxiety
management because they are non-addictive and effective. Benzodiazepines like
Alprazolam and Diazepam are for short-term or acute use due to the risk of dependence.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with PTSD who reports frequent flashbacks.
Which of the following is an appropriate intervention?
A. Gently touch the client’s shoulder to orient them
B. Use grounding techniques to focus on the present
C. Leave the client alone until the flashback ends
D. Encourage the client to suppress the memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques (like describing objects in the room) help pull the client
out of a flashback and back into reality. Touching a client during a flashback can be
dangerous as they may react defensively; staying with the client is important for safety.
College
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which of the
following nursing interventions should be the priority?
A. Teach the client a new deep-breathing technique
B. Stay with the client and remain calm
C. Ask the client to explain what triggered the attack
D. Administer an immediate dose of an SSRI
Answer: B
Rationale: During a panic attack, the nurse’s priority is safety and reducing anxiety.
Staying with the client provides reassurance, and a calm demeanor helps lower the client’s
anxiety level. Education and analysis of triggers should occur after the crisis has passed.
2. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends two hours each
morning arranging objects on a dresser. Which action should the nurse take
initially?
A. Allow the client enough time to perform the ritual
B. Tell the client that the behavior is irrational
C. Physically prevent the client from touching the objects
D. Give a firm ‘no’ command when the ritual begins
Answer: A
Rationale: Initially, the nurse should allow the client to perform the ritual to prevent a
panic-level of anxiety. Forcing an immediate stop can be counterproductive. Limitation of
rituals should be done gradually as part of a treatment plan.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Which of
the following symptoms is characteristic of this disorder?
A. Sudden, unprovoked episodes of intense fear
B. A fear of being in places where escape might be difficult
C. Excessive worry about multiple events for at least 6 months
D. Flashbacks related to a traumatic event
Answer: C
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various things for
at least 6 months. Fear of being in inescapable places is Agoraphobia; sudden intense fear is
Panic Disorder; flashbacks are characteristic of PTSD.
4. A client is diagnosed with Conversion Disorder. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Development of physical symptoms without an organic cause
B. Intentional production of symptoms to gain attention
C. A preoccupation with having a serious undiagnosed illness
D. Multiple personality states
Answer: A
Rationale: Conversion Disorder involves the loss of or change in physical function (like
paralysis or blindness) without a physiological cause, often following a psychological
stressor. Intentional production is Factitious Disorder; preoccupation with illness is Illness
Anxiety Disorder.
5. A client experiencing severe anxiety is hyperventilating. Which level of
anxiety is the client likely demonstrating?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Panic
Answer: C
, Rationale: Severe anxiety often presents with physical symptoms like hyperventilation,
tachycardia, and a sense of impending doom. While Panic level is even more intense, severe
anxiety is where physiological responses become significantly pronounced and the
perceptual field is greatly reduced.
6. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for long-term
management of most anxiety disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Alprazolam
C. Diazepam
D. Zolpidem
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs like Sertraline are first-line treatments for long-term anxiety
management because they are non-addictive and effective. Benzodiazepines like
Alprazolam and Diazepam are for short-term or acute use due to the risk of dependence.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with PTSD who reports frequent flashbacks.
Which of the following is an appropriate intervention?
A. Gently touch the client’s shoulder to orient them
B. Use grounding techniques to focus on the present
C. Leave the client alone until the flashback ends
D. Encourage the client to suppress the memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques (like describing objects in the room) help pull the client
out of a flashback and back into reality. Touching a client during a flashback can be
dangerous as they may react defensively; staying with the client is important for safety.
