Mental health, coping, crisis, abuse, and therapeutic communication. Try 8 free questions below, each with the answer, a rationale, and the source it was checked against.
6–12% of the NCLEX-RN80 questions in NCLEXSimReviewed October 2026
Psychosocial Integrity is one of the eight client needs categories in the NCSBN NCLEX-RN test plan. Expect questions on Therapeutic communication, Suicide risk, Substance use, Grief, Psychosis, and Abuse and neglect.
A client with schizophrenia stands in the corner staring and doesn't respond to questions. What should the nurse do?
Correct answer: A
For a withdrawn or catatonic client, the nurse offers presence, uses short simple statements, and makes sure basic needs like nutrition, hydration, and toileting are met.
Source: Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 10th ed.
An older client lives alone, has lost weight, and the home is cluttered with spoiled food. The client is alert and oriented. What should the nurse do?
Correct answer: D
Self-neglect is a form of elder mistreatment that can be reported. The nurse assesses safety and connects the client with resources while respecting autonomy.
Source: National Center on Elder Abuse; state adult protective services statutes
A client describes feeling detached from their body, as if watching themselves from outside. Which symptom is this?
Correct answer: A
Depersonalization is a sense of detachment from one's body or thoughts. It can occur with severe anxiety, trauma, or dissociative disorders.
Source: APA. DSM-5-TR (dissociative symptoms)
Which communication techniques are therapeutic? Select all that apply.
Correct answers: A, C, E
Open-ended questions, restating, and offering self encourage communication. Giving approval or disapproval and "why" questions can block communication or put clients on the defensive.
Source: Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 10th ed.
A client has trouble coping after a job loss. Which action best supports healthy coping?
Correct answer: D
Supporting problem-solving, identifying strengths and supports, and exploring feelings promote adaptive coping.
Source: Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 10th ed.
Which finding in a young child may indicate sexual abuse?
Correct answer: B
Sexual knowledge or behavior beyond the child's developmental level, genital injuries, and sudden behavior changes are concerning signs that warrant further evaluation and reporting.
Source: AAP. Clinical Report: The Evaluation of Children in the Primary Care Setting When Sexual Abuse Is Suspected
How do most school-age children (about 9 to 10 years) understand death?
Correct answer: A
By about age 9 or 10, most children understand that death is final, universal, and has causes.
Source: Hockenberry. Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children, 12th ed.
A client recovering from a myocardial infarction asks when it's safe to resume sexual activity. Which response reflects current guidance?
Correct answer: B
For uncomplicated MI, sexual activity is often reasonable about a week or more later if the client can do mild to moderate activity (3 to 5 METs) without symptoms. The nurse addresses sexuality openly as part of care.
Source: AHA. Scientific Statement: Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease (2012)
1,059 fact-checked questions, a full adaptive exam that stops by the real rules, a proctored test-day mode with an integrity report, 8 NGN case studies, bedside simulations, and ACLS megacodes. Free.