NCLEX Mental Health Nursing Exam Study Guide 2026
PDF for PN and RN Students | Psychiatric Disorders,
Therapeutic Communication Techniques, Crisis
Intervention, Psychopharmacology Basics, Patient
Safety in Mental Health Settings, Legal and Ethical
Considerations, Behavioral Therapy Principles, and
Nursing Care Planning | Comprehensive NCLEX
Psychiatric Nursing Preparation for Clinical Judgment
and Exam Success
Question 1:
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder expresses feelings of hopelessness.
Which of the following statements by the nurse would be most appropriate?
• A) "You're just feeling sorry for yourself."
• B) "It’s important to think positively."
• C) "I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk about it."
• D) "You need to try harder to be happy."
Correct Option: C) "I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk about it."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and offers support, which
is essential in therapeutic communication and encourages the patient to express
themselves further.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which symptom would
the nurse expect to find?
• A) Restlessness
• B) Euphoria
• C) Hallucinations
• D) Impulsivity
Correct Option: A) Restlessness
Rationale: Restlessness is a common symptom of generalized anxiety disorder,
reflecting the patient's chronic anxiety and inability to relax.
Question 3:
,An emergency room nurse is caring for a patient who has just attempted suicide by
overdose. What is the nurse's immediate priority?
• A) Administering activated charcoal
• B) Ensuring the patient's airway is patent
• C) Conducting a thorough psychosocial assessment
• D) Providing emotional support to the family
Correct Option: B) Ensuring the patient's airway is patent
Rationale: The immediate priority in a medical emergency is to maintain the patient's
airway, as it is crucial for survival and must be addressed before further interventions.
Question 4:
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
• A) Ignore the hallucinations.
• B) Redirect the client’s focus to reality.
• C) Encourage the client to engage with the voices.
• D) Discuss the content of the hallucinations.
Correct Option: B) Redirect the client’s focus to reality.
Rationale: Redirecting the client's focus helps ground them in reality and minimizes the
impact of hallucinations without reinforcing them.
Question 5:
A nurse is planning care for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of
the following interventions would be most appropriate?
• A) Encourage avoidance of discussing the trauma.
• B) Promote the establishment of safety and trust.
• C) Suggest the patient forgets the trauma.
• D) Discourage expression of feelings.
Correct Option: B) Promote the establishment of safety and trust.
Rationale: Building a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is vital in treating PTSD,
allowing the patient to express their experiences and feelings in a secure environment.
Question 6:
,A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The client is
in a manic episode. Which behavior should the nurse expect?
• A) Increased energy and restlessness
• B) Social withdrawal
• C) Lack of motivation
• D) Rigidity in thinking
Correct Option: A) Increased energy and restlessness
Rationale: During a manic episode, individuals typically exhibit increased energy,
restlessness, and often impulsive behaviors.
Question 7:
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is receiving cognitive-behavioral
therapy. Which of the following techniques is most likely being used?
• A) Psychodynamic therapy
• B) Exposure and response prevention
• C) Medication adherence
• D) Supportive therapy
Correct Option: B) Exposure and response prevention
Rationale: This technique involves exposing the patient to anxiety-provoking thoughts
or situations and helping them refrain from compulsive behaviors.
Question 8:
A client with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted to the hospital for detoxification.
Which withdrawal symptom should the nurse monitor for?
• A) Tremors
• B) Elevated blood sugar
• C) Weight gain
• D) Bradycardia
Correct Option: A) Tremors
Rationale: Tremors are a common physical symptom of alcohol withdrawal, indicating
the need for close monitoring.
, Question 9:
A nurse is assessing a client exhibiting signs of borderline personality disorder. Which
behavior might the nurse observe?
• A) Consistent and predictable
• B) Intense and unstable relationships
• C) Detached from emotional experiences
• D) Calm and emotionally stable
Correct Option: B) Intense and unstable relationships
Rationale: Individuals with borderline personality disorder often struggle with
maintaining stable and intense relationships.
Question 10:
During a group therapy session, a client with schizophrenia begins to argue with another
member. What is the nurse's best response?
• A) Ignore the situation
• B) Intervene and separate the individuals
• C) Encourage them to resolve their differences
• D) Ask the group to continue without them
Correct Option: B) Intervene and separate the individuals
Rationale: The nurse must ensure the safety of all clients in the group and intervene in
potential conflicts.
Question 11:
What is the primary purpose of a therapeutic environment in mental health settings?
• A) Promote patient safety and healing
• B) Provide entertainment
• C) Create a strict structure
• D) Encourage competition among patients
Correct Option: A) Promote patient safety and healing
Rationale: A therapeutic environment prioritizes safety and healing, facilitating
recovery.
PDF for PN and RN Students | Psychiatric Disorders,
Therapeutic Communication Techniques, Crisis
Intervention, Psychopharmacology Basics, Patient
Safety in Mental Health Settings, Legal and Ethical
Considerations, Behavioral Therapy Principles, and
Nursing Care Planning | Comprehensive NCLEX
Psychiatric Nursing Preparation for Clinical Judgment
and Exam Success
Question 1:
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder expresses feelings of hopelessness.
Which of the following statements by the nurse would be most appropriate?
• A) "You're just feeling sorry for yourself."
• B) "It’s important to think positively."
• C) "I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk about it."
• D) "You need to try harder to be happy."
Correct Option: C) "I’m here to listen if you’d like to talk about it."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and offers support, which
is essential in therapeutic communication and encourages the patient to express
themselves further.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which symptom would
the nurse expect to find?
• A) Restlessness
• B) Euphoria
• C) Hallucinations
• D) Impulsivity
Correct Option: A) Restlessness
Rationale: Restlessness is a common symptom of generalized anxiety disorder,
reflecting the patient's chronic anxiety and inability to relax.
Question 3:
,An emergency room nurse is caring for a patient who has just attempted suicide by
overdose. What is the nurse's immediate priority?
• A) Administering activated charcoal
• B) Ensuring the patient's airway is patent
• C) Conducting a thorough psychosocial assessment
• D) Providing emotional support to the family
Correct Option: B) Ensuring the patient's airway is patent
Rationale: The immediate priority in a medical emergency is to maintain the patient's
airway, as it is crucial for survival and must be addressed before further interventions.
Question 4:
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
• A) Ignore the hallucinations.
• B) Redirect the client’s focus to reality.
• C) Encourage the client to engage with the voices.
• D) Discuss the content of the hallucinations.
Correct Option: B) Redirect the client’s focus to reality.
Rationale: Redirecting the client's focus helps ground them in reality and minimizes the
impact of hallucinations without reinforcing them.
Question 5:
A nurse is planning care for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of
the following interventions would be most appropriate?
• A) Encourage avoidance of discussing the trauma.
• B) Promote the establishment of safety and trust.
• C) Suggest the patient forgets the trauma.
• D) Discourage expression of feelings.
Correct Option: B) Promote the establishment of safety and trust.
Rationale: Building a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is vital in treating PTSD,
allowing the patient to express their experiences and feelings in a secure environment.
Question 6:
,A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The client is
in a manic episode. Which behavior should the nurse expect?
• A) Increased energy and restlessness
• B) Social withdrawal
• C) Lack of motivation
• D) Rigidity in thinking
Correct Option: A) Increased energy and restlessness
Rationale: During a manic episode, individuals typically exhibit increased energy,
restlessness, and often impulsive behaviors.
Question 7:
A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is receiving cognitive-behavioral
therapy. Which of the following techniques is most likely being used?
• A) Psychodynamic therapy
• B) Exposure and response prevention
• C) Medication adherence
• D) Supportive therapy
Correct Option: B) Exposure and response prevention
Rationale: This technique involves exposing the patient to anxiety-provoking thoughts
or situations and helping them refrain from compulsive behaviors.
Question 8:
A client with a history of alcohol abuse is admitted to the hospital for detoxification.
Which withdrawal symptom should the nurse monitor for?
• A) Tremors
• B) Elevated blood sugar
• C) Weight gain
• D) Bradycardia
Correct Option: A) Tremors
Rationale: Tremors are a common physical symptom of alcohol withdrawal, indicating
the need for close monitoring.
, Question 9:
A nurse is assessing a client exhibiting signs of borderline personality disorder. Which
behavior might the nurse observe?
• A) Consistent and predictable
• B) Intense and unstable relationships
• C) Detached from emotional experiences
• D) Calm and emotionally stable
Correct Option: B) Intense and unstable relationships
Rationale: Individuals with borderline personality disorder often struggle with
maintaining stable and intense relationships.
Question 10:
During a group therapy session, a client with schizophrenia begins to argue with another
member. What is the nurse's best response?
• A) Ignore the situation
• B) Intervene and separate the individuals
• C) Encourage them to resolve their differences
• D) Ask the group to continue without them
Correct Option: B) Intervene and separate the individuals
Rationale: The nurse must ensure the safety of all clients in the group and intervene in
potential conflicts.
Question 11:
What is the primary purpose of a therapeutic environment in mental health settings?
• A) Promote patient safety and healing
• B) Provide entertainment
• C) Create a strict structure
• D) Encourage competition among patients
Correct Option: A) Promote patient safety and healing
Rationale: A therapeutic environment prioritizes safety and healing, facilitating
recovery.
