NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity Questions Answers [Rationale]

Last Updated on July 4, 2024

NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity Questions Answers [Rationale]. Enhance your NCLEX preparation with our Psychosocial Integrity questions and answers, complete with rationales: access free practice tests, detailed explanations, and downloadable PDFs. Ideal for NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN candidates, our resources help you master psychosocial care. Elevate your exam readiness with our expert study materials.

Psychosocial Integrity questions make up 6 to 12 percent of the exam.

These questions examine your knowledge of how nurses support clients’ mental, emotional, and social well-being. Questions also address mental illness. Expect content on coping mechanisms, therapeutic communication and environment, behavioral interventions, crisis intervention, abuse and neglect, end-of-life care, client support systems, and family dynamics.

Questions may also address specific mental health concepts like sensory and perceptual alterations, grief and loss, and substance use disorder. In addition, it is important to consider religious, spiritual, and cultural influences on health and cultural awareness in nursing in general.

NCLEX Psychosocial Integrity Questions Answers

Q1. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is experiencing anxiety. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?

(A) “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
(B) “Tell me more about what makes you anxious.”
(C) “Why are you feeling anxious right now?”
(D) “You should try to calm down and relax.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Open-ended questions like “Tell me more” encourage the client to express their feelings and provide valuable insights into their anxiety.

Q2. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the best initial response by the nurse?

(A) “Those voices aren’t real, try to ignore them.”
(B) “I understand that the voices seem real to you, but I don’t hear them.”
(C) “You need to stop listening to the voices.”
(D) “Why do you think you are hearing voices?”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s experience while providing reality orientation helps build trust and support without validating the hallucinations.

Q3. A nurse is providing care to a client who has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The client states, “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

(A) “Everything happens for a reason.”
(B) “Let’s talk about your treatment options.”
(C) “It must be very difficult for you to accept this diagnosis.”
(D) “You need to stay positive and fight this.”

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings and providing empathy is crucial in supporting them during a difficult time.

Q4. A nurse is conducting a support group for clients with substance use disorder. Which approach is most effective in facilitating group discussion?

(A) Allowing only one client to speak at a time
(B) Encouraging clients to share their personal experiences
(C) Focusing on the negative consequences of substance use
(D) Limiting the discussion to treatment options

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Encouraging clients to share their personal experiences fosters a supportive environment and promotes group cohesion.

Q5. A nurse is assessing a client who recently lost a spouse. The client states, “I just don’t see any reason to go on living.” What is the nurse’s priority action?

(A) Refer the client to a grief support group
(B) Assess the client for suicidal ideation
(C) Encourage the client to focus on positive memories
(D) Suggest the client take up a new hobby

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Assessing the client for suicidal ideation is a priority to ensure their safety and provide appropriate interventions.

Q6. A nurse is providing crisis intervention for a client who has experienced a traumatic event. Which intervention is most appropriate during the initial phase of the crisis?

(A) Exploring the client’s feelings about the event
(B) Encouraging the client to focus on future goals
(C) Providing clear and concise information
(D) Helping the client identify long-term coping strategies

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Providing clear and concise information helps reduce anxiety and confusion during the initial phase of a crisis.

Q7. A client with major depressive disorder expresses feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Which therapeutic approach should the nurse use?

(A) Challenging the client’s negative thoughts
(B) Providing distractions to avoid discussing feelings
(C) Encouraging the client to stay busy to avoid negative thoughts
(D) Listening and offering empathetic responses

View Answer

Answer: (D)
Rationale: Listening and offering empathetic responses validate the client’s feelings and provide support without judgment.

Q8. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing delusions. What is the best response by the nurse when the client states, “The government is watching me”?

(A) “That is not true, and you know it.”
(B) “Let’s discuss why you feel this way.”
(C) “I don’t see any evidence that the government is watching you.”
(D) “It’s possible that you are mistaken about this.”

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Providing reality orientation while avoiding confrontation helps support the client without reinforcing the delusion.

Q9. A nurse is providing care for a client with dementia who is agitated and wandering. Which intervention is most effective in ensuring the client’s safety?

(A) Using physical restraints to prevent wandering
(B) Placing the client in a room close to the nurses’ station
(C) Providing a calm and structured environment
(D) Administering sedative medications as needed

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: A calm and structured environment can reduce agitation and wandering behaviors in clients with dementia.

Q10. A nurse is caring for a client who has been physically abused. What is the priority action by the nurse?

(A) Confront the abuser and report them to the authorities
(B) Ensure the client’s immediate safety and provide support
(C) Encourage the client to leave the abusive situation immediately
(D) Provide the client with literature on domestic violence

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Ensuring the client’s immediate safety and providing support is the priority in cases of physical abuse.

Q11. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing severe anxiety. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

(A) Encouraging deep breathing exercises
(B) Exploring the underlying causes of anxiety
(C) Administering prescribed anti-anxiety medication
(D) Teaching relaxation techniques

View Answer

Answer: (A)
Rationale: Encouraging deep breathing exercises is an immediate intervention that can help reduce anxiety symptoms quickly.

Q12. A nurse is providing end-of-life care to a terminally ill client. Which intervention is most appropriate to address the client’s spiritual needs?

(A) Encouraging the client to pray regularly
(B) Contacting the client’s spiritual advisor with their permission
(C) Providing literature on different religions
(D) Avoiding discussions about spirituality unless initiated by the client

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Contacting the client’s spiritual advisor, with their permission, can provide the client with spiritual support and comfort.

Q13. A nurse is assessing a client who is grieving the loss of a loved one. Which statement by the client indicates complicated grief?

(A) “I miss my spouse every day, but I’m trying to move on.”
(B) “I don’t see the point in living anymore since my spouse died.”
(C) “I still cry sometimes when I think about my spouse.”
(D) “It’s been tough, but I’m finding ways to cope.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Expressing feelings of not seeing the point in living anymore can indicate complicated grief, requiring further assessment and intervention.

Q14. A nurse is providing care to a client with a history of substance use disorder who is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. What is the priority intervention?

(A) Encouraging the client to attend support group meetings
(B) Administering prescribed medications to manage withdrawal symptoms
(C) Providing information on the risks of substance use
(D) Exploring the client’s reasons for substance use

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Administering prescribed medications to manage withdrawal symptoms is the priority to ensure the client’s safety and comfort.

Q15. A nurse is using active listening techniques with a client who is depressed. Which behavior by the nurse demonstrates active listening?

(A) Interrupting the client to offer advice
(B) Nodding and making eye contact while the client speaks
(C) Changing the subject to a more positive topic
(D) Asking closed-ended questions

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Nodding and making eye contact demonstrates active listening and shows the client that the nurse is engaged and attentive.

Q16. A nurse is providing care to a client with bipolar disorder who is in the manic phase. Which intervention is most appropriate?

(A) Encouraging group activities to increase socialization
(B) Providing a low-stimulation environment
(C) Allowing the client to skip meals if they are not hungry
(D) Discouraging physical activity

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Providing a low-stimulation environment helps reduce the risk of overstimulation and agitation during the manic phase.

Q17. A nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted for suicidal ideation. What is the priority nursing action?

(A) Encouraging the client to express their feelings
(B) Developing a safety plan with the client
(C) Removing any potentially harmful objects from the client’s room
(D) Referring the client to a mental health specialist

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Removing potentially harmful objects from the client’s room is the priority to ensure their immediate safety.

Q18. A nurse is caring for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which intervention is most appropriate to help the client manage flashbacks?

(A) Encouraging the client to avoid talking about the trauma
(B) Teaching grounding techniques to help the client stay present
(C) Suggesting the client write about their experiences
(D) Advising the client to stay busy to avoid thinking about the trauma

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Teaching grounding techniques can help clients with PTSD manage flashbacks by helping them stay connected to the present moment.

Q19. A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which intervention is most appropriate for promoting healthy eating habits?

(A) Allowing the client to choose their meals without restriction
(B) Monitoring the client during and after meals to prevent purging
(C) Encouraging the client to eat alone to reduce stress
(D) Providing high-calorie snacks between meals

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Monitoring the client during and after meals helps prevent purging behaviors and promotes healthy eating habits.

Q20. A nurse is providing education to a client who is experiencing grief. Which statement by the nurse is most supportive?

(A) “It’s important to get over your loss as quickly as possible.”
(B) “Everyone grieves in their own way and at their own pace.”
(C) “Try to avoid thinking about your loss to feel better.”
(D) “You should be feeling better by now.”

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Acknowledging that everyone grieves in their own way and at their own pace validates the client’s feelings and provides support.

Q21. A nurse is caring for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who spends hours washing their hands. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

(A) Allowing the client to continue the behavior to reduce anxiety
(B) Interrupting the behavior and redirecting the client to another activity
(C) Encouraging the client to gradually reduce the time spent washing hands
(D) Telling the client that their behavior is irrational

View Answer

Answer: (C)
Rationale: Encouraging the client to gradually reduce the time spent washing hands helps address the compulsive behavior without increasing anxiety.

Q22. A nurse is providing care to a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

(A) Encouraging the client to talk about their feelings
(B) Assisting the client with slow, deep breathing
(C) Offering the client a sedative medication
(D) Advising the client to focus on positive thoughts

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Assisting the client with slow, deep breathing can help reduce the symptoms of a panic attack quickly.

Q23. A nurse is providing care to a client who has experienced sexual assault. What is the priority nursing intervention?

(A) Providing detailed information about legal options
(B) Ensuring the client’s physical safety and emotional support
(C) Encouraging the client to confront the perpetrator
(D) Referring the client to a support group

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Ensuring the client’s physical safety and providing emotional support is the priority in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault.

Q24. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing flat affect and social withdrawal. Which intervention is most appropriate?

(A) Encouraging the client to participate in group activities
(B) Forcing the client to engage in social interactions
(C) Providing the client with information about their condition
(D) Allowing the client to isolate themselves

View Answer

Answer: (A)
Rationale: Encouraging the client to participate in group activities can help improve social skills and reduce isolation in clients with schizophrenia.

Q25. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing visual hallucinations. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

(A) Confronting the client about the hallucinations
(B) Providing a safe and calm environment
(C) Validating the hallucinations as real
(D) Ignoring the client’s experience

View Answer

Answer: (B)
Rationale: Providing a safe and calm environment helps reduce anxiety and agitation in clients experiencing hallucinations.

See also:

Free NCLEX Practice Test with Study Guide [UPDATED 2024-25]

Safe and Effective Care Environment

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Health Promotion and Maintenance Questions

Psychosocial Integrity