Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Psychology & Mental Health

Test Your NCLEX Skills: Stress, Anxiety & Mind-Body Disorders Quiz

Ready for Anxiety Disorder NCLEX Questions? Start the Stress & Mind-Body Quiz Today!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art brain and medical icons on sky blue backdrop for NCLEX anxiety quiz on stress anxiety disorders mind body topics

Hey, future RN! Ready to boost your exam prep and confidently navigate stress, anxiety disorders, and mind - body interactions? Our Anxiety NCLEX Questions Quiz: Stress & Mind-Body Disorders is your friendly, free tool to test knowledge, sharpen critical thinking, and hone test-taking strategies. Dive into a practice set of anxiety NCLEX questions for hands-on learning, then explore an interactive review covering anxiety disorder NCLEX questions. Take the NCLEX stress & anxiety quiz now to benchmark your skills, track progress, and enter exam day with calm confidence - start quizzing today!

Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?
Enteric
Sympathetic
Central
Parasympathetic
The fight-or-flight response is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability to prepare the body for action. Activation of this system readies the muscles and senses for immediate response to stress.NCBI
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing mild anxiety?
Administer a fast-acting benzodiazepine.
Encourage deep breathing exercises.
Provide high-intensity physical activity.
Use confrontation to explore underlying issues.
Deep breathing exercises help reduce sympathetic nervous system arousal by increasing oxygen intake and promoting relaxation. This simple non-pharmacological intervention is effective for managing mild anxiety and can be taught at the bedside. It encourages a sense of control over symptoms and can be performed anywhere.APA
Which diagnostic criterion is essential for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
Preoccupation with illness despite medical evaluation.
Recurrent panic attacks with intense fear of dying.
Excessive worry and anxiety occurring more days than not for at least six months.
Persistent intrusive memories of traumatic events.
GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry on multiple topics for at least six months. This criterion distinguishes GAD from other anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and illness anxiety. Symptoms often include restlessness, fatigue, and muscle tension.NIMH
Progressive muscle relaxation involves which of the following techniques?
Systematic tensing and relaxing of major muscle groups.
Focusing on a single repeated word or phrase.
Using external devices to monitor physiological functions.
Guiding the client through a series of visual images.
Progressive muscle relaxation teaches clients to identify and reduce muscle tension by intentionally tensing and then relaxing muscle groups sequentially. This technique promotes body awareness and decreases physical symptoms of anxiety. It is often taught alongside guided breathing.APA
Which of the following is a common physical manifestation of acute anxiety?
Hypothermia (low body temperature).
Tachycardia (elevated heart rate).
Bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Hypotension (low blood pressure).
Acute anxiety triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which increases heart rate returning a tachycardic response. Other common signs include sweating, hyperventilation, and tremors. Recognizing these symptoms helps differentiate normal stress from pathological anxiety.NCBI
During an acute panic attack, which nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?
Administer a scheduled antipsychotic medication.
Stay with the client and speak calmly using short, simple sentences.
Encourage the client to perform complex problem-solving tasks.
Leave the client alone to prevent overstimulation.
Staying with the client and providing calm, clear communication helps reduce feelings of isolation and confusion during a panic attack. This intervention grounds the client and provides reassurance. Complex tasks or leaving the patient can exacerbate panic symptoms.NCBI
The primary mechanism of action for SSRIs in treating anxiety disorders is:
Blockade of dopamine receptors in the limbic system.
Inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the central nervous system.
Enhancement of GABA neurotransmission at the GABA-A receptor.
Antagonism of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus.
SSRIs block the serotonin transporter, preventing reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons and increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft. This modulation of serotonin levels helps reduce anxiety symptoms over time. SSRIs are considered first-line pharmacotherapy for many anxiety disorders.NCBI
Biofeedback therapy facilitates stress reduction by:
Administering electrical stimulation to muscle groups.
Providing real-time feedback of physiological processes to promote self-regulation.
Imposing strict dietary restrictions to optimize brain function.
Replacing pharmacotherapy with herbal supplements.
Biofeedback uses sensors to measure physiological functions such as heart rate and muscle tension, then feeds that information back to the client. Clients learn to consciously alter these processes, reducing stress responses. It is an effective mind-body intervention for anxiety.Mayo Clinic
Which statement about buspirone is correct when educating a client with chronic anxiety?
It causes significant sedation and impairments in motor skills.
It must be taken consistently to achieve therapeutic effects.
It provides immediate relief during acute panic episodes.
It has a high potential for physiological dependence.
Buspirone requires regular daily dosing to reach effective blood levels, and it does not relieve acute panic like benzodiazepines. It has minimal sedation and low abuse potential, making it suitable for long-term management. Education should focus on adherence and delayed onset of action.NCBI
A client exhibits sudden onset of blindness with no identifiable neurological cause. This presentation is most consistent with which condition?
Conversion disorder.
Illness anxiety disorder.
Factitious disorder.
Somatic symptom disorder.
Conversion disorder is characterized by neurological symptoms - such as blindness or paralysis - that cannot be explained by medical evaluation. These symptoms often arise in response to psychological stress. The client's symptoms are real but lack an organic basis.APA
To assess for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the nurse should specifically ask about:
Persistent body dissatisfaction and fear of weight gain.
Compulsive handwashing to prevent contamination.
Recurrent, intrusive memories or nightmares of the traumatic event.
Frequent and unexplained panic attacks unrelated to any stressor.
PTSD is defined by intrusive symptoms such as recurrent flashbacks, nightmares, and unwanted memories of the traumatic event. Assessment should include exploration of these experiences, as well as avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms. A thorough history helps differentiate PTSD from other anxiety or obsessive - compulsive disorders.VA
Why must benzodiazepines be used with caution in older adults?
They cause irreversible liver damage in low doses.
They are antagonists at the serotonin receptor, leading to depression.
They increase the risk of sedation, confusion, and falls due to altered pharmacokinetics.
They have no effect on GABA receptors in the elderly population.
Older adults often have decreased hepatic and renal clearance, which prolongs benzodiazepine half-life and heightens sensitivity. Increased sedation, dizziness, and confusion raise the risk of falls and cognitive impairment. Dosage adjustments and non-pharmacological therapies are preferred.NCBI
A key feature of somatic symptom disorder is:
Episodic memory loss following emotional stress.
Deliberate feigning of symptoms for external gain.
Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to one or more somatic symptoms.
A preoccupation with having a serious undiagnosed illness without somatic complaints.
Somatic symptom disorder involves disproportionate and persistent thoughts, anxiety, or behaviors centered on somatic complaints, which may or may not have a medical explanation. These clients often undergo extensive diagnostic testing and remain distressed by symptoms. It differs from factitious or malingering in intent and awareness.NIMH
Which autonomic sign is most indicative of a panic attack?
Bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Miosis (pupil constriction).
Hyporeflexia (decreased reflexes).
Diaphoresis (excessive sweating).
Panic attacks activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to signs such as sweating (diaphoresis), palpitations, and tremors. Sweating is a visible autonomic response that helps identify acute panic. Other signs include tachycardia and hyperventilation.APA
A deficiency in which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders?
Norepinephrine.
Acetylcholine.
Histamine.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and its deficiency can lead to increased neuronal excitability and anxiety. Many anxiolytic medications, such as benzodiazepines, enhance GABAergic transmission. Imbalances in GABA pathways are key targets in understanding and treating anxiety disorders.NCBI
0
{"name":"Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?, Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing mild anxiety?, Which diagnostic criterion is essential for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Anxiety Disorder Types -

    Distinguish the key clinical features of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder in NCLEX-style scenarios.

  2. Analyze Stress Physiology -

    Recognize physiological and psychological stress responses, including neuroendocrine activation and mind-body interactions, to answer stress NCLEX questions accurately.

  3. Apply Therapeutic Nursing Interventions -

    Implement evidence-based interventions such as relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and pharmacologic therapies for anxiety management.

  4. Prioritize Nursing Actions -

    Use priority-setting frameworks like ABCs and Maslow's hierarchy to determine the most critical nursing actions in acute anxiety and stress crises.

  5. Differentiate Mind-Body Disorders -

    Assess and distinguish psychosomatic and psychophysiologic disorders, such as headaches and irritable bowel syndrome, in mind-body disorders NCLEX questions.

  6. Interpret NCLEX Question Strategies -

    Employ critical thinking and effective test-taking strategies to decode anxiety NCLEX questions and select the best answer.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Pathophysiology of Anxiety Responses -

    Anxiety triggers the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased catecholamine release and a "fight-or-flight" response (Mayo Clinic). Remember Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome with the mnemonic "ARE" for Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion to review stress phases commonly tested in anxiety NCLEX questions.

  2. Identifying Anxiety Disorder Symptoms -

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety each have distinct criteria in the DSM-5 (APA, 2013). Use the 6 P's mnemonic - Persistent, Pervasive, Physical, Psychological, Performance impact, and Personal distress - to guide assessment in anxiety disorder NCLEX questions scenarios.

  3. Therapeutic Communication & De-escalation Techniques -

    Empathy, active listening, and use of open-ended questions help build trust and reduce patient anxiety (ANA). Try the LEAP approach - Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner - to calm an agitated client and practice scenarios in the stress nclex questions context.

  4. Pharmacologic Management of Anxiety Disorders -

    First-line SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine) and SNRIs require 4 - 6 weeks to therapeutic effect; start low and titrate slowly to minimize side effects (NIH). Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam) act quickly but watch for dependence - use CRAV-IT: Caution, Risk, Assess, Verify, Taper.

  5. Mind-Body Interventions & Stress Adaptation -

    Techniques like 4-7-8 breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery reduce sympathetic overdrive (Johns Hopkins). Incorporate these mind-body disorders nclex strategies into care plans and use flashcards to reinforce practice in nclex stress & anxiety quiz prep.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Psychology & Mental Health Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker