Psychiatric Statement Mastery: ACE the Psychiatric Alternate Format Section on the NCLEX

In this week’s episode of NCLEX Ready, I’ll be sharing with you everything you need to know about psychiatric nursing.

Psychiatric nursing is an underrated nursing subject and one of the most daunting topics in the NCLEX. 

However, it doesn’t have to be for you.

In this episode, you and I will dive deep into the world of psychiatric statements, dispelling myths and arming you with the knowledge and skills to master this crucial part of your exam. 

Are you ready to transform your understanding and approach to psychiatric disorders?

Then tune in now.

Psychiatric Statements You NEED to Study

1. Primary insomnia and narcolepsy are examples of dyssomnias.

This statement is true.

2. REM sleep is the 4th stage of sleep.

This statement is false. REM sleep is the fifth stage of sleep, which can last up to an hour.

3. Safety is the priority of a sleepwalking patient.

This statement is true.

4. Those with circadian rhythm sleep disorder should avoid caffeine at night.

This statement is true.

5. The common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is high blood pressure.

This statement is false. The common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is snoring.

6. Nightmare disorder and sleep terror disorder are examples of parasomnias.

This statement is true.

7. Somatoform disorder occurs because of a psychological reason.

This statement is true.

8. The heart rate slows down and the body temperature drops during the second stage of sleep.

This statement is true.

9. The first stage of non-REM sleep can last up to two hours.

This statement is false. The first stage of non-REM sleep can last for five to ten minutes.

10. Those with primary hypersomnia have difficulty performing tasks in the morning.

This statement is true.

11. Those with psychotic illness have an altered reality perception.

This statement is true.

12. Psychotic illness can be progressive or come in episodes.

This statement is true.

13. Schizophrenia does not have an exact known cause at this time.

This statement is true.

14. Positive schizophrenia symptoms include flat affect, alogia, and avolition.

This statement is false. Negative schizophrenia symptoms include flat affect, alogia, and avolition.

15. Normal functions are distorted with positive schizophrenia.

This statement is true.

16. Those with catatonic schizophrenia have a lack of response to the environment.

This statement is true.

17. Paranoid schizophrenia patients will have loose association, neologism, or clang association.

This statement is false. Disorganized schizophrenia patients will have loose association, neologism, or clang association.

18. Erotomanic delusion is the belief that something is wrong with his/her body.

This statement is false. Somatic delusion is the belief that something is wrong with his/her body.

19. If the patient believes that she is married to Justin Bieber, she has an erotomanic delusion.

This statement is true.

20. Lack of connection between topics is seen in loose association.

This statement is true.

21. The nurse should blame the patient for the addiction because they should resist.

This statement is false. The nurse should not blame the patient for the addiction.

22. Nasal irritation is a common finding with lorazepam addiction.

This statement is false. Nasal irritation is a common finding with cocaine addiction.

23. Liver impairment is a short-term effect of alcohol abuse.

This statement is false. Liver impairment is a long-term effect of alcohol abuse.

24. Hallucinations and seizures are early signs of alcohol withdrawal.

This statement is false. Hallucinations and seizures are late signs of alcohol withdrawal.

25. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is given during acute alcohol withdrawal or anxiety.

This statement is true.

26. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal peak in the first twelve hours after the last drink.

This statement is false. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal peak in the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the last drink.

27. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include tremors, hypertension, and tachycardia.

This statement is true.

28. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include depression or restlessness for seven days or longer.

This statement is true.

29. Symptoms of benzodiazepines withdrawal include anxiety or seizures that can last for months.

This statement is true.

30. Substance intoxication is irreversible.

This statement is false. Substance intoxication is reversible.

31. The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

This statement is true.

32. Russell’s sign is seen in patients with anorexia nervosa.

This statement is false. Russell’s sign is seen in patients with bulimia nervosa.

33. Risk factors of eating disorders include low self-esteem and poor body image.

This statement is true.

34. The nurse should be concerned if a patient continuously skips dinner.

This statement is true.

35. Absence of menstrual cycles is a common symptom of anorexia nervosa.

This statement is true.

36. The nurse should not allow a patient with bulimia nervosa to use the bathroom for ninety minutes before the meal to prevent unhealthy purging habits.

This statement is false. The nurse should not allow the patient with bulimia nervosa to use the bathroom for ninety minutes after the meal to prevent unhealthy purging habits.

37. Antisocial personality disorder can be cured.

This statement is false. Antisocial personality disorder occurs from childhood and cannot be cured.

38. A patient with paranoid personality disorder will have a lack of trust in others.

This statement is true.

39. A dominating trait is expected in a patient with dependent personality disorder.

This statement is false. A submissive trait is expected in a patient with dependent personality disorder.

40. A patient with antisocial personality disorder will lie and break the rules without regard for anyone’s safety.

This statement is true.

41. Antisocial personality disorder is seen more in females than males.

This statement is false. Antisocial personality disorder is seen more in males than females.

42. The major personality disorders include antisocial, borderline, dependent, and paranoid personality disorders.

This statement is true.

43. A patient who can’t make a decision without her mother’s approval has a dependent personality disorder.

This statement is true.

44. “Don’t listen to what your husband tells you to do” is the correct response to a female patient with dependent personality disorder.

This statement is false. The nurse should not tell the patient what to do and should listen to the patient’s concerns.

45. A patient with paranoid personality disorder will have fear of separation.

This statement is false. A patient with dependent personality disorder will have fear of separation.

46. Anxiety is expected when a patient with paranoid personality disorder feels that the situation is out of his/her control.

This statement is true.

47. Personality disorder is classified when two or more areas are affected in cognition, affectivity, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control.

This statement is true.

48. Symptoms of antisocial personality disorder are not usually prominent until adolescence.

This statement is true.

49. Signs and symptoms of antisocial personality disorder include unstable mood and behavior.

This statement is true.

50. Eating disorders are associated with exposure to a traumatic event.

This statement is false. Dissociative disorders are associated with exposure to a traumatic event.

51. Risk factors of dissociative disorders include emotional abuse and childhood traumatic experience.

This statement is true.

52. Dissociative disorders occur in males more than females.

This statement is false. Dissociative disorders occur in females more than males.

53. Reality testing tests the patient to see if he/she can tell what is real and what is not.

This statement is true.

54. A patient with depersonalization disorder will describe the feeling as an outsider observing the moment.

This statement is true.

55. Someone with multiple identities has dissociative identity disorder.

This statement is true.

56. Someone with dissociative fugue is pretending to forget one’s own identity.

This statement is false. Someone with dissociative fugue forgets one’s own identity and does not remember who he/she is.

57. It is not possible to recover from dissociative amnesia.

This statement is false. It is possible to recover from dissociative amnesia and it usually doesn’t happen again.

58. There is a cure for depersonalization disorder.

This statement is false. There is no cure for depersonalization disorder.

59. Cognitive disorders occur as a result of brain tissue damage causing impaired cerebral functioning.

This statement is true.

60. Reversal is possible with dementia.

This statement is false. Reversal is unlikely for dementia.

61. Decline in cognitive thoughts is in the early stages of vascular dementia.

This statement is true.

62. Amnestic disorder is also known as multi-infarct dementia.

This statement is false. Vascular dementia is also known as multi-infarct dementia.

63. Signs and symptoms of severe Alzheimer’s-type dementia include loss of speech and appetite.

This statement is true.

64. Healthcare providers go by four stages of Alzheimer’s-type dementia.

This statement is false. Healthcare providers go by three stages of Alzheimer’s-type dementia.

65. Delirium can be masked as dementia.

This statement is true.

66. Delirium has an acute onset.

This statement is true.

67. The Global Deterioration Scale is based on seven stages of Alzheimer’s-type dementia.

This statement is true.

68. Someone who paces back and forth, gets agitated easily, and is unable to recognize family members is exhibiting signs and symptoms of moderate Alzheimer’s-type dementia.

This statement is true.

69. Altered acetylcholine levels and altered immune function is seen in Alzheimer’s.

This statement is true.

70. The nurse should be concerned if a patient with depression is suddenly acting happy and giving away personal items.

This statement is true.

71. A hypermania episode is the mild form of mania.

This statement is false. A hypomania episode is the mild form of mania.

72. The nurse should tell the patient with bipolar disorder that their behavior is unacceptable.

This statement is false. Telling a patient with bipolar disorder that their behavior is unacceptable is not going to change the situation. The nurse should come up with a distraction and pull the patient away from the situation.

73. The nurse should give the patient privacy during a panic attack.

This statement is false. The nurse should not leave the patient and instruct deep breathing.

74. Sundowner syndrome usually alleviates in the morning.

This statement is true.

75. The nurse should encourage the patient to refrain from having sex.

This statement is false. The nurse should teach safe methods when engaging in sexual activities.

76. Frotteurism and somnophilia are examples of paraphilias.

This statement is true.

77. The nurse should prioritize establishing a nurse-patient relationship and providing support when the patient is feeling depressed with sexual dysfunction.

This statement is true.

78. Sexual aversion disorder is the avoidance of genital contact with a partner.

This statement is true.

79. Electroconvulsive therapy is commonly used for somatoform disorders and chronic schizophrenia.

This statement is false. Electroconvulsive therapy is not commonly used for somatoform disorders and chronic schizophrenia.

80. Universality is sharing common experiences and responses to feel that one is not alone.

This statement is true.

81. Catharsis is being unselfish by thinking about others before self.

This statement is false. Altruism is being unselfish by thinking about others before self. Catharsis is letting go of suppressed negative feelings to feel renewed.

82. Understanding life goes on after the death of a loved one is an example of existential factors.

This statement is true.

83. Milieu therapy provides a controlled environment to prevent negative behavior.

This statement is true.

84. Haloperidol can cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

This statement is true.

85. Altered mental status and rigid muscles are signs and symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

This statement is true.

86. Score of twenty-three and higher on the Mini-Mental Status Examination indicates mental impairment.

This statement is false. Score of twenty-three and lower on the Mini-Mental Status Examination indicates mental impairment.

87. Beck Depression Inventory is a twenty-one item scale to evaluate symptoms of depression.

This statement is true.

88. CAGE Questionnaire is a depression screening tool.

This statement is false. CAGE Questionnaire is an alcoholism screening tool.

89. Reality therapy helps the patient to be aware of negative thoughts and to focus on the present.

This statement is true.

90. Achieving goals set by the group is the responsibility of all group members in a structured group therapy.

This statement is false. Achieving goals set by the group is the responsibility of all group members in an unstructured group therapy.

91. Goals have been fulfilled in the termination phase of group therapy.

This statement is true.

92. Drinking two bottles of wine per day and not admitting to a drinking problem is an example of reaction formation.

This statement is false. Drinking two bottles of wine per day and not admitting to a drinking problem is an example of denial.

93. A seven-year-old wetting the bed after witnessing domestic violence is an example of regression.

This statement is true.

94. A laissez-faire manager provides little direction to the group and has a lack of leadership.

This statement is true.

95. The nurse should continue to provide care for the patient with a DNR.

This statement is true.

96. The psychiatric LPN is allowed to do sterile dressing change and reinforce discharge teachings.

This statement is true.

97. The nurse should not tell the patient to “calm down.”

This statement is true.

98. A married minor is still not considered emancipated.

This statement is false. A married minor is considered emancipated.

99. Head-banging, scratching, and eyeball pressing are examples of self-mutilation.

This statement is true.

100. Psychiatric patients cannot retain the civil rights to communicate with family members until they are released.

This statement is false. Psychiatric patients retain the civil rights to communicate with the outside world.