NR 326/ NR326 EXAM 1 MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING REVIEW EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
1.
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
finding is most concerning and requires immediate follow-up?
A. Difficulty sleeping
B. Feelings of hopelessness
C. Decreased appetite
D. Giving away personal belongings
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Giving away personal belongings may indicate preparation for suicide
and requires immediate intervention. Other symptoms are common in depression
but do not indicate imminent risk.
2.
Which statement best reflects the therapeutic use of self in mental health nursing?
A. Sharing personal experiences to build trust
B. Maintaining professional boundaries while being empathetic
C. Offering advice to solve the client’s problems
D. Redirecting conversations away from emotions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic use of self involves purposeful communication, empathy,
and professional boundaries. Sharing personal experiences or giving advice shifts
focus away from the client.
,3.
A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which nursing
response is most appropriate?
A. “The voices are not real, so ignore them.”
B. “What are the voices saying to you?”
C. “You should distract yourself when this happens.”
D. “Everyone hears voices sometimes.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about the content of hallucinations helps assess risk, especially
for command hallucinations. Dismissing or minimizing the experience is non-
therapeutic.
4.
Which factor most increases a client’s risk for developing a mental health
disorder?
A. Advanced age
B. Genetic predisposition
C. High socioeconomic status
D. Living alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Genetics play a significant role in the development of many mental
health disorders. Environmental factors may contribute but are less predictive
alone.
,5.
A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. Which component evaluates
the client’s ability to think logically?
A. Affect
B. Insight
C. Thought process
D. Mood
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Thought process assesses organization, coherence, and logic of
thinking. Affect reflects emotional expression; mood reflects emotional state.
6.
Which communication technique is most effective when a client is anxious?
A. Asking multiple questions
B. Using open-ended questions
C. Giving detailed explanations
D. Speaking rapidly to convey urgency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression and reduce anxiety.
Excessive information or rapid speech may worsen anxiety.
7.
A client states, “I feel like my life has no purpose.” Which response by the nurse is
most therapeutic?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what you mean.”
C. “Many people feel like that sometimes.”
D. “You need to stay positive.”
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to elaborate validates feelings and promotes
therapeutic communication. Minimizing or dismissing feelings is inappropriate.
8.
Which behavior best demonstrates empathy?
A. Giving reassurance
B. Sharing a similar experience
C. Acknowledging the client’s feelings
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Empathy involves recognizing and validating the client’s emotional
experience without shifting focus to the nurse.
9.
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing mania. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage group participation
B. Set clear and consistent limits
C. Allow unrestricted activity
D. Provide frequent choices
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients experiencing mania benefit from structure and consistent limits
to reduce impulsivity and overstimulation.
NURSING REVIEW EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
1.
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
finding is most concerning and requires immediate follow-up?
A. Difficulty sleeping
B. Feelings of hopelessness
C. Decreased appetite
D. Giving away personal belongings
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Giving away personal belongings may indicate preparation for suicide
and requires immediate intervention. Other symptoms are common in depression
but do not indicate imminent risk.
2.
Which statement best reflects the therapeutic use of self in mental health nursing?
A. Sharing personal experiences to build trust
B. Maintaining professional boundaries while being empathetic
C. Offering advice to solve the client’s problems
D. Redirecting conversations away from emotions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic use of self involves purposeful communication, empathy,
and professional boundaries. Sharing personal experiences or giving advice shifts
focus away from the client.
,3.
A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which nursing
response is most appropriate?
A. “The voices are not real, so ignore them.”
B. “What are the voices saying to you?”
C. “You should distract yourself when this happens.”
D. “Everyone hears voices sometimes.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about the content of hallucinations helps assess risk, especially
for command hallucinations. Dismissing or minimizing the experience is non-
therapeutic.
4.
Which factor most increases a client’s risk for developing a mental health
disorder?
A. Advanced age
B. Genetic predisposition
C. High socioeconomic status
D. Living alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Genetics play a significant role in the development of many mental
health disorders. Environmental factors may contribute but are less predictive
alone.
,5.
A nurse is conducting a mental status examination. Which component evaluates
the client’s ability to think logically?
A. Affect
B. Insight
C. Thought process
D. Mood
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Thought process assesses organization, coherence, and logic of
thinking. Affect reflects emotional expression; mood reflects emotional state.
6.
Which communication technique is most effective when a client is anxious?
A. Asking multiple questions
B. Using open-ended questions
C. Giving detailed explanations
D. Speaking rapidly to convey urgency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression and reduce anxiety.
Excessive information or rapid speech may worsen anxiety.
7.
A client states, “I feel like my life has no purpose.” Which response by the nurse is
most therapeutic?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what you mean.”
C. “Many people feel like that sometimes.”
D. “You need to stay positive.”
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to elaborate validates feelings and promotes
therapeutic communication. Minimizing or dismissing feelings is inappropriate.
8.
Which behavior best demonstrates empathy?
A. Giving reassurance
B. Sharing a similar experience
C. Acknowledging the client’s feelings
D. Changing the subject
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Empathy involves recognizing and validating the client’s emotional
experience without shifting focus to the nurse.
9.
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing mania. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage group participation
B. Set clear and consistent limits
C. Allow unrestricted activity
D. Provide frequent choices
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients experiencing mania benefit from structure and consistent limits
to reduce impulsivity and overstimulation.
