NU 160 Exam 2 Practice Review

When a client has a mild level of anxiety, his or her emotional response is:

• relaxed and calm.

• energized.

• feeling overloaded.

• helplessness with loss of control.

Answer explanation

When a client has a mild level of anxiety, their emotional response is energized, not relaxed or overwhelmed. This heightened state can lead to increased alertness and motivation.

A female college student is seeking help from the counseling center for test anxiety. She reports that during an exam, she “freezes,” and says, “It feels like the time I have to take the exam is racing by, and I can’t answer any of the questions when I know the answers.” Which level of anxiety is the client experiencing?

• Mild

• Moderate

• Severe

• Panic

Answer explanation

The client describes intense symptoms like "freezing" and feeling overwhelmed by time pressure, indicating a high level of distress. This aligns with severe anxiety, as she knows the answers but cannot respond due to her anxiety.

The charge nurse is angry with another nurse who has arrived 1 hour after the shift begins. Rather than expressing her anger, the nurse avoids confrontation by denying approval of the nurse’s requested vacation day. What does this behavior demonstrate?

• Substitution

• Restitution

• Suppression

• Rationalization

Answer explanation

The nurse's behavior demonstrates substitution, as she redirects her anger about the late arrival into denying the vacation request instead of addressing the issue directly.

Adolescents who ineffectively cope with anxiety often express their anxiety through:

• inappropriate behaviors.

• calm behavior.

• psychotic behavior.

• suicide.

Answer explanation

Adolescents who struggle with anxiety may resort to inappropriate behaviors as a way to express their feelings. This can include acting out, which is a common response when they lack effective coping strategies.

What is the term for physical expression of anxiety by an individual in ways such as nausea or headaches?

• Compensation

• Somatization

• Denial

• Fantasy

Answer explanation

The term 'somatization' refers to the physical expression of psychological distress, such as anxiety, through bodily symptoms like nausea or headaches. This distinguishes it from other defense mechanisms like denial or compensation.

Which term best describes an individual’s feelings of anxiety that are broad, long-lasting, and excessive?

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Panic attack

• Phobic disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer explanation

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, long-lasting anxiety that is not limited to specific situations, making it the best term for broad and persistent feelings of anxiety.

A male client has had agoraphobia for several years. In the past 2 years, he has not left his home, and he only speaks to people on the phone occasionally. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority in this situation?

• Social isolation

• Thought processes, disturbed

• Coping, ineffective individual

• Powerlessness

Answer explanation

The client has not left his home for 2 years, indicating severe withdrawal from social interactions. Therefore, 'Social isolation' is the highest priority nursing diagnosis, as it directly addresses his lack of engagement with others.

An adolescent caught stealing a classmate’s laptop says that he needed it to write his paper and that the classmate “has enough money to buy another one anyway.” This adolescent is demonstrating which of the following defense mechanisms?

• Denial

• Restitution

• Rationalization

• Conversion

Answer explanation

The adolescent is justifying his theft by claiming he needed the laptop for a paper and that the classmate can afford a new one. This is an example of rationalization, where one provides excuses to make their actions seem acceptable.

Which symptoms may be seen in a person who is having a panic attack? (Select all that apply.)

• Shortness of breath

• Feelings of depersonalization

• Chills

• Fear of dying

• Palpitations

Answer explanation

During a panic attack, individuals may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, feelings of depersonalization, chills, fear of dying, and palpitations. All these symptoms are common manifestations of panic attacks.

The abnormal process in which aspects of the social, physical, emotional, or intellectual function of a person are diminished or impaired is called:

• health.

• illness.

• recovery.

• homeostasis.

Answer explanation

The term 'illness' refers to the abnormal process where a person's social, physical, emotional, or intellectual functions are impaired, distinguishing it from general health or recovery.