Looking to test your knowledge in psychiatric nursing? This free MCQ mock test provides a comprehensive set of questions and answers related to trauma- and stressor-related disorders. Covering topics such as acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, and more, this test will help you assess your understanding of key concepts. Ideal for nursing exam preparation or self-assessment, these practice questions cover various aspects of mental health, including symptoms, interventions, and risk factors. Enhance your knowledge and review important concepts with this free mental health test.
Subject: Psychiatric Nursing
Time: 45 Minutes
1. Which of the following traumatic events is most likely to lead to the development of acute stress disorder?
a) Witnessing a minor car accident
b) Experiencing a natural disaster
c) Hearing about a traumatic event from a friend
d) Receiving a mild burn from a kitchen accident
2. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most commonly associated with which of the following symptoms?
a) Hypomania and elevated mood
b) Hallucinations and delusions
c) Intrusive memories and nightmares
d) Social withdrawal and isolation
3. Which of the following statements about dissociative disorders is true?
a) They are exclusively caused by traumatic experiences
b) They are characterized by a fragmented sense of self
c) They can only occur in individuals with a history of childhood abuse
d) They are easily treatable with medication alone
4. The primary goal of crisis intervention for individuals with acute stress disorder is to:
a) Promote insight into childhood traumas
b) Prevent the development of long-term psychiatric conditions
c) Encourage the use of psychotropic medications
d) Teach relaxation techniques for immediate symptom relief
5. Which of the following is a key difference between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder?
a) The severity of symptoms experienced
b) The duration of symptoms following the traumatic event
c) The presence of dissociative symptoms
d) The age of onset for the disorder
6. An individual diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is likely to exhibit:
a) Excessive daytime sleepiness
b) Hyperarousal and exaggerated startle response
c) Grandiose delusions and inflated self-esteem
d) Inability to experience pleasure or joy
7. When conducting a comprehensive assessment for trauma- and stressor-related disorders, it is essential for the nurse to:
a) Avoid discussing traumatic experiences with the client
b) Rely solely on self-report measures for diagnosis
c) Assess for the presence of comorbid mental health conditions
d) Disregard cultural and contextual factors
8. Which of the following pharmacological interventions is commonly used in the treatment of trauma- and stressor-related disorders?
a) Benzodiazepines
b) Antipsychotics
c) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
d) Stimulant medications
9. Which of the following statements about complex posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is accurate?
a) It is primarily diagnosed in children and adolescents
b) It is characterized by brief and temporary symptoms
c) It can result from chronic and repeated traumatic experiences
d) It is considered a milder form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
10. Which of the following assessment findings is most indicative of an acute stress reaction?
a) Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
b) Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities
c) Recurrent intrusive memories of the traumatic event
d) Sudden onset of panic attacks and phobias
11. In the context of trauma- and stressor-related disorders, secondary traumatization refers to:
a) The development of trauma symptoms in response to a new stressor
b) The transmission of trauma symptoms from one generation to another
c) The experience of vicarious trauma through exposure to others’ trauma stories
d) The reactivation of childhood trauma memories in adulthood
12. Which of the following interventions is commonly used in trauma-focused therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
a) Exposure therapy
b) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
c) Psychodynamic therapy
d) Art therapy
13. Which of the following factors is most likely to contribute to the development of adjustment disorder?
a) A strong social support network
b) A history of previous trauma exposure
c) Resilience and coping skills
d) High levels of stress and life changes
14. When assessing a client with a suspected trauma- and stressor-related disorder, the nurse should prioritize:
a) Conducting a thorough physical examination
b) Gathering information about the client’s childhood experiences
c) Assessing for safety concerns and suicidality
d) Administering a standardized psychological test
15. The primary difference between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder is:
a) The time frame in which symptoms are experienced
b) The severity of symptoms experienced
c) The presence of dissociative symptoms
d) The age of onset for the disorder
16. Which of the following is considered a risk factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder?
a) Female gender
b) Advanced age
c) High level of education
d) Positive social support network
17. Which of the following interventions is most effective in preventing the development of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder?
a) Early pharmacological intervention
b) Supportive counseling immediately after the trauma
c) Avoiding any reminders of the traumatic event
d) Engaging in distracting activities
18. Which of the following is a common symptom of adjustment disorder?
a) Intrusive thoughts and nightmares
b) Emotional numbness and detachment
c) Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
d) Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
19. The primary goal of trauma-informed care in psychiatric nursing is to:
a) Identify individuals with trauma histories for legal purposes
b) Provide a safe and supportive environment for healing
c) Normalize traumatic experiences and minimize their impact
d) Avoid addressing trauma-related issues altogether
20. Which of the following factors has the strongest influence on the development of resilience following a traumatic event?
a) Socioeconomic status
b) Genetic predisposition
c) Early childhood experiences
d) Availability of professional mental health services
21. Dissociative amnesia typically involves the inability to remember:
a) Childhood experiences
b) Personal identity and information about oneself
c) Traumatic events that occurred in the past week
d) Names and faces of family members
22. Which of the following disorders is characterized by a persistent and exaggerated negative belief about oneself, others, or the world?
a) Acute stress disorder
b) Adjustment disorder
c) Dissociative identity disorder
d) Complex posttraumatic stress disorder
23. Which of the following is a common symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder?
a) Hypomania and elevated mood
b) Hallucinations and delusions
c) Recurrent distressing memories of the traumatic event
d) Lack of emotional response to traumatic reminders
24. Which of the following is a key component of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)?
a) Encouraging avoidance of traumatic memories and triggers
b) Promoting emotional suppression and detachment
c) Teaching relaxation and grounding techniques
d) Administering antipsychotic medications
25. Which of the following statements about dissociative identity disorder (DID) is accurate?
a) It is a rare disorder that primarily affects men
b) It is characterized by sudden and unpredictable mood swings
c) It is caused by chronic exposure to traumatic experiences
d) It is easily distinguishable from malingering or feigning
26. Which of the following assessment findings is most indicative of acute stress disorder?
a) Feeling detached from one’s surroundings
b) Reexperiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks
c) Chronic feelings of emptiness and loneliness
d) Exaggerated startle response and hypervigilance
27. Which of the following interventions is most effective in reducing distress associated with trauma-related nightmares?
a) Medication management with benzodiazepines
b) Encouraging the use of alcohol or substances for self-medication
c) Imagery rehearsal therapy and cognitive techniques
d) Limiting the client’s sleep and encouraging daytime activities
28. Which of the following assessment findings is most indicative of a dissociative disorder?
a) Hyperactivity and restlessness
b) Inability to experience pleasure or joy
c) Feeling unreal or disconnected from oneself
d) Auditory hallucinations and paranoid delusions
29. Which of the following is a common symptom of acute stress disorder?
a) Persistent and excessive worry about future events
b) Delusions of grandeur and inflated self-esteem
c) Recurrent and intrusive memories of the traumatic event
d) Social withdrawal and avoidance of social situations
30. Which of the following is a recommended nursing intervention for individuals with trauma- and stressor-related disorders?
a) Encouraging avoidance of trauma-related triggers
b) Promoting social isolation to prevent further distress
c) Providing psychoeducation about trauma symptoms and coping strategies
d) Administering high doses of sedatives to manage anxiety
Answers:
- b
- c
- b
- b
- b
- b
- c
- c
- c
- d
- c
- a
- d
- c
- a
- a
- b
- d
- b
- c
- b
- d
- c
- c
- c
- b
- c
- c
- c
- c