Multiple Choice Examples

Question 1

1.  In which historical period was the discovery of psychiatric medication?
A.	The nineteenth century
B.	The seventeen  century
C.	The eighteenth century
D.	The twentieth century

Answer 1

D. The twentieth century

Question 2

2.  A client believes he is the chauffeur for a major movie star. He describes the limo sine that is at his disposal and brags about all of the famous people that he has met. What type of delusion is he exhibiting? 
A.	Delusion of grandeur
B.	Delusion of persecution 
C.	Delusion of reference
D.	Delusion of control

Answer 2

A. Delusion of grandeur

Question 3

3. Which of the following is known about schizophrenia?
   A. It is a single disease
   B. It occurs only in certain cultures
   C. Medication can manage symptoms
   D. Positive symptoms include social withdrawal, apathy and avolition

Answer 3

C. Medication can manage symptoms

Question 4

4. A client says, “Watch out! There is someone standing right behind you.” There is no one else there. The appropriate response by the nurse is:
   A. “I understand that you see someone, but I don’t see anyone there.”
   B. “Let’s move away to the other room.”
   C. “Tell me more about what you see.”
   D. “You are not seeing anything”

Answer 4

A. “I understand that you see someone, but I don’t see anyone there.”

Question 5

5. Interventions for the client who is actively hallucinating include:
   A. Touching the client to convey warmth and concern
   B. Teaching the client to engage in a conversation or activity such as listening to music through headphone
   C. Providing a quiet environment without radios or TVs
   D. Allowing the client to rest in his room undisturbed

Answer 5

B. Teaching the client to engage in a conversation or activity such as listening to music through headphone

Question 6

6. Patients with schizophrenia may help prevent relapse by all of the following interventions except:
   A. Self-monitoring of symptoms such as decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and mild psychotic symptoms.
   B. Identify triggers that bring about increased distress.
   C. Using alcohol and other drugs to treat uncomfortable symptoms of schizophrenia
   D. Following medication regimes even when they “feel better.”

Answer 6

C. Using alcohol and other drugs to treat uncomfortable symptoms of schizophrenia

Question 7

7. To work closely with families of patients with schizophrenia the nurse should do all
   of the following except:
   A. Recognise and acknowledge the care giving burden
   B. Prepare the management plan for the patient without the family
   C. Provide the education about the illness, relapse prevention, symptom monitoring, and medication management
   D. Provide resources to meet needs during crises, for relapse care, and affiliation with sup-port groups

Answer 7

B. Prepare the management plan for the patient without the family

Question 8

8. A client with a manic episode has refused to shower for over a week. She has worn
   the same dirty clothes for several days and has a strong body odour. What approach would be used in assisting her to shower and change into fresh clothing?
   A. Provide limited options to choose from, such as when to shower and what to
   wear
   B. Negotiate a solution
   C. Teach the importance and benefits of regular hygiene practices
   D. Use medication to sedate the client

Answer 8

C. Teach the importance and benefits of regular hygiene practices

Question 9

9. Which statement by a depressed client taking an antidepressant would indicate that
   further teaching is necessary?
   A. “Once I start taking medication, I should begin to feel better within a day or two.”
   B. “My appetite should improve once my depression is resolved.”
   C. “My medications work on the synaptic gap in my brain.”
   D. “I can expect to be able to sleep through the night again once I begin to feel
   better.”

Answer 9

A. “Once I start taking medication, I should begin to feel better within a day or two.”

Question 10

10. A depressed client states, “I should never have let my dog run out on the street.
    Now it’s my fault that he is dead.” Select the one response by the nurse.
    A. “I understand that you feel bad about the accident.”
    B. “You are not a failure for this one mistake.”
    C. “What proof do you have that is your fault?”
    D. “I would like to hear you list those things that you are very good at doing.”

Answer 10

A. “I understand that you feel bad about the accident.”

Question 11

11.  A client admitted to an acute inpatient psychiatric unit 10 days ago for bipolar disorder eats finger foods pacing the halls if offered by staff members, draw abstract art in ink on his left hand, sleeps 6 hours each night, and readily takes prescribed medications. Which of the following most indicates that the client’s
       condition is improving?
A.	Eats finger foods
B.	Has decreased amount of “body art” 
C.	Sleeps 6 hours per night
D.	Takes medication

Answer 11

C. Sleeps 6 hours per night

Question 12

12.  A patient was driving along a deserted country road when the bridge she was driving over collapsed causing her to be trapped in her car for several hours until help arrived. A year later she still has nightmares about the event, and re-experiences the feelings of fear and isolation associated with being trapped in the car in swirling water up to her neck. She avoids driving over bridges. She indicates that her relationships have not been ‘normal’ since the event because she is so tense. The data collected are consistent with the symptoms of:
A.	Agoraphobia
B.	Panic attacks
C.	Generalised anxiety disorder
D.	Post-traumatic stress disorder

Answer 12

D. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Question 13

13. Appropriate discharge criteria for a patient with chronic anxiety disorder are that the
    patient will:
    A. Experience no more anxiety
    B. Suppress anxiety symptoms and focus on the future
    C. Identify situations and events that trigger anxiety
    D. Recognise the need to take medications for life to control anxiety

Answer 13

C. Identify situations and events that trigger anxiety

Question 14

14. The nurse admits a client who is a university student. The student immediately
    announces that she has been studying for final examinations in several courses. The
    student is pacing and expresses concern that this time in the hospital away from studies will cause a drop in grades and the parents will be angry if HDs are not attained in each course. Which statement represents the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client?
    A. Disorder with suicidal ideation secondary to panic disorder
    B. Violence directed towards others related to confusion and impaired impulse
    control as evidenced by depression
    C. Experience related to feelings of unreality as evidenced by unmet needs
    D. Ineffective individual coping related to fear of failure as evidenced by inability to meet role expectations

Answer 14

D. Ineffective individual coping related to fear of failure as evidenced by inability to meet role expectations

Question 15

15. You are working with a client who has been diagnosed as having social anxiety
    disorder. People with this disorder experience severe anxiety when they:
    A. Leave the solitude of their house and in all situations
    B. Speak or perform in public or meet new people
    C. Are in crowded places by themselves
    D. Have to attend meetings or go to the movies alone

Answer 15

B. Speak or perform in public or meet new people

Question 16

16. A client at the community mental health clinic brings a sterile towel and places it on
    any surface on which he sits. Such behaviour primarily allows the client to:
    A. Punish himself for being phobic
    B. Receive extra attention for his condition
    C. Reduce his anxiety level
    D. Replace feelings of guilt

Answer 16

C. Reduce his anxiety level

Question 17

17. A client has had surgery and is recovering in the intensive care unit 72 hours after his
    admission. The client exhibits tremors, jumps in a jerky manner when one enters the room, has a heart rate of 132, has a high fever and complains of bugs in his room. The nurse should take the following action:
    A. Document the signs and symptoms and call them to the attention of the surgeon when he makes rounds
    B. Leave a message for the registrar to consider ordering antipsychotic medication
    C. Notify the doctor immediately of suspected alcohol withdrawal and ask for order
    D. Refer the client for alcohol evaluation

Answer 17

C. Notify the doctor immediately of suspected alcohol withdrawal and ask for order

Question 18

18. Co-dependence refers to the relationship between:
    A. The addict and his or her dealer
    B. Two addicts or abusers
    C. An abuser and the significant other who facilitates the substance abuse
    D. The nurse and the substance abuser

Answer 18

C. An abuser and the significant other who facilitates the substance abuse

Question 19

19. Strategies a nurse might use to deal with the demanding quality of clients with dramatic
    and emotional personality disorders include all of the following except:
    A. Setting the time limits you devote to these clients’ demands
    B. Communicating with colleagues to ensure a consistent approach toward these clients
    C. Giving these clients a little extra attention so there will be a positive feeling between you and them
    D. Responding to these clients’ needs in a professional, efficient manner

Answer 19

C. Giving these clients a little extra attention so there will be a positive feeling between you and them

Question 20

20. An effective nursing response to clients with schizoid personality disorder and
    schizotypal personality disorder might include any of the following except:
    A. Designing a behaviour modification program to improve social skills and increase
    inventory of expressive traits
    B. Accepting clients for what they are
    C. Giving clients honest feedback on how their behaviour is seen by others
    D. Relating to clients in a professional, matter-of-fact manner

Answer 20

C. Giving clients honest feedback on how their behaviour is seen by others

Question 21

21. In caring for a person with a paranoid personality disorder, the nurses should not attempt
    to:
    A. Respond to the client in an unemotional way
    B. Focus on the major features of the client’s dysfunctional behaviour
    C. Try to convince the client that their paranoid feelings are unfounded
    D. Give honest feedback to the client on how the client’s behaviour is perceived

Answer 21

C. Try to convince the client that their paranoid feelings are unfounded

Question 22

22. Which term is defined as an enduring pattern of behaviour that is pervasive and
    inflexible, and limits a person’s ability to function in society?
    A. Personal ideal
    B. Personality
    C. Personality trait
    D. Personality disorder

Answer 22

D. Personality disorder

Question 23

23. Which personality disorder has as its essential feature the need to be the centre
    of attention, sexual seductiveness, and exaggerated expression of emotions?
    A. Avoidant personality disorder
    B. Dependent personality disorder
    C. Histrionic personality disorder
    D. Narcissistic personality disorder

Answer 23

C. Histrionic personality disorder

Question 24

24. When a nurse is working with a client with a diagnosis of antisocial personality
    disorder, the nurse needs to realise that when this client does not get his way:
    A. The nurse may be at physical risk from the client
    B. The client will become passive-aggressive
    C. The client will become self-abusive and may harm himself
    D. The client will likely sue the nurse or the hospital

Answer 24

A. The nurse may be at physical risk from the client

Question 25

25. In describing the person with schizotypal personality disorder, a clinician would
    most likely use which of the following words?
    A. Eccentric
    B. Jovial
    C. Warm
    D. Controlled

Answer 25

A. Eccentric

Question 26

26. Which type of personality disorder has an essential feature of excessive devotion to
    work and productivity, and preoccupation with details?
    A. Avoidant personality disorder
    B. Antisocial personality disorder
    C. Borderline personality disorder
    D. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Answer 26

D. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Question 27

27.  The person with avoidant personality disorder has which of the following feelings?
A.	Superiority
B.	Guilt
C.	Inadequacy
D.	Abandonment

Answer 27

C. Inadequacy

Question 28

28. A client develops paralysis in both legs following the death of her husband. During therapy for conversion reaction, the client describes overwhelming guilt over the choices she made regarding his treatment options prior to his death. With therapy the client has made progress and is ready for discharge. Which comment by the client would indicate that nursing inter-ventions have been successful?
    A. “I understand now why the neighbours have been so helpful to me.”
    B. “I notice that my legs feel their weakest when I remember what it was like that day in the emergency room.”
    C. “I am done talking about all this. I came here to learn to re-walk again.”
    D. “I’ll be fine as long as I rest every day and relax”

Answer 28

B. “I notice that my legs feel their weakest when I remember what it was like that day in the emergency room.”

Question 29

29.  A client with body dysmorphic disorder has had several plastic surgeries to re-shape his nose. The client states, “I am embarrassed to go out in public because everyone stares at my huge nose. Why can’t the surgeon get it right?” The most appropriate nursing 
       diagnosis is:
A.	Situational low self-esteem
B.	Anxiety
C.	Disturbed body image 
D.	Knowledge deficit

Answer 29

C. Disturbed body image

Question 30

30. All of the following are true of the incidence of somatization disorder except:
    A. The disorder tends to last several years
    B. The disorder is predominantly associated with women
    C. The disorder usually develops later in life
    D. The disorder may lead to medical treatment

Answer 30

C. The disorder usually develops later in life

Question 31

31. The symptom the nurse can expect a patient with dissociative fugue to manifest is:
    A. The notion that some part of the body is ugly or disproportionate
    B. A feeling of detachment from one’s body
    C. Worry about having a serious disease
    D. Travel away from home and assumption of a new identity

Answer 31

D. Travel away from home and assumption of a new identity

Question 32

32. A mental health facility has just admitted a client with a dissociative identity disorder. A co-worker asks what caused the development of this disorder. The nearest
    response to the co-worker’s request is:
    A. “The disorder is a form of malingering.”
    B. “Another name for the disorder is split personality.”
    C. “Clients with this disorder may have experienced overwhelming abuse as children.”
    D. “Secondary gain is the cause of this disorder.”

Answer 32

C. “Clients with this disorder may have experienced overwhelming abuse as children.”

Question 33

33. A client has several distinct alters, each named with special roles. For instance, Jane is the alter that talks to authority figures and goes to work. Betty is childlike and enjoys playing with dolls. The goal therapy for this client is to:
    A. Eliminate all personalities
    B. Assess the qualities of all the alters and characteristics
    C. Blend all personalities into one
    D. Abolish those alters that have negative

Answer 33

C. Blend all personalities into one

Question 34

34. The nurse is evaluating the progress of a client with bulimia. Which of the following
    behaviours would indicate that the client is making positive progress?
    a) The client can identify the calorie content of each meal
    b) The client identifies healthy ways of coping with anxiety
    c) The client spends time resting in her room after meals
    d) The client verbalises knowledge of former eating patterns as unhealthy
    A. Request an order from the doctor for anxiety medication

Answer 34

b) The client identifies healthy ways of coping with anxiety

Question 35

35. Once a somatoform disorder is suspected, there is no further need to vigorously
    explore the possibility of a physical illness.
    A. True
    B. False

Answer 35

B. False

Question 36

36. Only a small percentage of people with substance abuse have another major psychiatric
    diagnosis.
    A. True
    B. False

Answer 36

B. False

Question 37

37. One of the purpose of open-ended questions when interviewing a patient is to narrow the
    topic of discussion:
    A. True
    B. False

Answer 37

B. False

Question 38

38. When a patient/client displays delusional thinking, the nurse needs to acknowledge that they believe that the delusions are real to the client by entering into their world. This can be done by either agreeing with the client about the ideas that they present or by ‘reality testing’ us-ing logical argument to prove that the client’s beliefs are mistaken.
    A True
    B False

Answer 38

B False