NSG 4067: PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT
1. A nurse performs a psychosocial assessment of an older adult living in the community. Which
of the following statements best captures the nature of psychosocial assessment?
A) It is a formalized psychological test of the individual's condition and needs.
B) It aids in identifying and analyzing personality traits of the individual.
C) It helps to identify the individual's need for psychiatric care.
D) It is a component of holistic nursing care of older adults.
Ans: D
Feedback:
A psychosocial assessment is one component of the mind–body–spirit nature of holistic nursing
care of older adults. It is not a formal psychological examination, nor does it exist to identify
specific personality traits or the need for psychiatric intervention.
2. While a nurse is performing a recently admitted hospital client's morning care, the client
states, "I'm pretty sure I'll never see my own apartment again." Which of the following responses
by the nurse best demonstrates effective communication?
A) "What is it that makes you feel that way?"
B) "“I'm sure that's not going to be the case."
C) "All in all, you're doing quite fine."
D) "There's a lot that we can do, dear, to make sure that you do."
Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse demonstrates empathy and respect, while also facilitating further assessment findings
around the client's beliefs for recovery through the use of an open-ended question. The nurse
should not demonstrate a false reassurance of recovery, nor downplay the client's concerns. The
nurse does not use patronizing terms of address (dear, honey, sweetie).
3. A nurse assesses an older adult's abstract thinking ability. Which of the following questions is
most appropriate?
A) "Do you know why you are in hospital right now?"
B) "What do a dog and a cat have in common?"
C) "What goals do you have for your treatment and recovery?"
D) "What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed letter on the ground?"
Ans: B
Feedback:
, Asking what traits two similar, but not identical, objects share is a way of gaining insight into a
client's ability to think abstractly. Option A addresses insight, not abstract thinking, while Option
C is a useful assessment question, but not one that addresses abstract thinking. Option D could be
used to assess the client's judgment.
4. A nurse addresses the social supports available for an older adult client. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the plan?
A) Ask the client direct questions about the barriers to the use of social supports.
B) Decide which of the programs is the highest quality.
C) Determine if family or friends could do the work.
D) Provide the client information about services that are available.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Assessing barriers to support services is particularly challenging because direct questions about
these issues often are inappropriate and usually are very threatening. Social supports are often
erroneously seen as expensive, impersonal, and hard to arrange. Funding is available for such
programs, though less than 20% of eligible adults use them. The quality of care is not necessarily
lower than that provided by friends or family and an older adult is not disqualified by virtue of
having friends or family available.
5. Even in a high acuity situation, a nurse can assess the spiritual needs of a client. Which of the
following questions is appropriate for the older adult admitted to the intensive care unit for
sepsis?
A) "Do you attend church services?"
B) "Is there a spiritual leader we can call for you?"
C) "What are your beliefs about death?"
D) "What religion are you?"
Ans: B
Feedback:
Asking about religion is less important than asking about spirituality, and while the nurse in the
intensive care unit may not be able to complete a full spirituality assessment, they can obtain
support for the client. Asking about death beliefs may be appropriate in a full spiritual
assessment, but not for the high acuity client.
1. A nurse performs a psychosocial assessment of an older adult living in the community. Which
of the following statements best captures the nature of psychosocial assessment?
A) It is a formalized psychological test of the individual's condition and needs.
B) It aids in identifying and analyzing personality traits of the individual.
C) It helps to identify the individual's need for psychiatric care.
D) It is a component of holistic nursing care of older adults.
Ans: D
Feedback:
A psychosocial assessment is one component of the mind–body–spirit nature of holistic nursing
care of older adults. It is not a formal psychological examination, nor does it exist to identify
specific personality traits or the need for psychiatric intervention.
2. While a nurse is performing a recently admitted hospital client's morning care, the client
states, "I'm pretty sure I'll never see my own apartment again." Which of the following responses
by the nurse best demonstrates effective communication?
A) "What is it that makes you feel that way?"
B) "“I'm sure that's not going to be the case."
C) "All in all, you're doing quite fine."
D) "There's a lot that we can do, dear, to make sure that you do."
Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse demonstrates empathy and respect, while also facilitating further assessment findings
around the client's beliefs for recovery through the use of an open-ended question. The nurse
should not demonstrate a false reassurance of recovery, nor downplay the client's concerns. The
nurse does not use patronizing terms of address (dear, honey, sweetie).
3. A nurse assesses an older adult's abstract thinking ability. Which of the following questions is
most appropriate?
A) "Do you know why you are in hospital right now?"
B) "What do a dog and a cat have in common?"
C) "What goals do you have for your treatment and recovery?"
D) "What would you do if you found a stamped, addressed letter on the ground?"
Ans: B
Feedback:
, Asking what traits two similar, but not identical, objects share is a way of gaining insight into a
client's ability to think abstractly. Option A addresses insight, not abstract thinking, while Option
C is a useful assessment question, but not one that addresses abstract thinking. Option D could be
used to assess the client's judgment.
4. A nurse addresses the social supports available for an older adult client. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the plan?
A) Ask the client direct questions about the barriers to the use of social supports.
B) Decide which of the programs is the highest quality.
C) Determine if family or friends could do the work.
D) Provide the client information about services that are available.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Assessing barriers to support services is particularly challenging because direct questions about
these issues often are inappropriate and usually are very threatening. Social supports are often
erroneously seen as expensive, impersonal, and hard to arrange. Funding is available for such
programs, though less than 20% of eligible adults use them. The quality of care is not necessarily
lower than that provided by friends or family and an older adult is not disqualified by virtue of
having friends or family available.
5. Even in a high acuity situation, a nurse can assess the spiritual needs of a client. Which of the
following questions is appropriate for the older adult admitted to the intensive care unit for
sepsis?
A) "Do you attend church services?"
B) "Is there a spiritual leader we can call for you?"
C) "What are your beliefs about death?"
D) "What religion are you?"
Ans: B
Feedback:
Asking about religion is less important than asking about spirituality, and while the nurse in the
intensive care unit may not be able to complete a full spirituality assessment, they can obtain
support for the client. Asking about death beliefs may be appropriate in a full spiritual
assessment, but not for the high acuity client.
