PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING NCLEX
REVIEW 54 QUESTIONS SET 1 WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
D. Grieving.
Reason: Grieving may be characterized by weight loss, sleep disturbances, and
messages from beyond. - CORRECT ANSWER A 48-year-old Hispanic woman is
seen by a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist after receiving a call by her son.
According to the son, since his father's death 7 months ago, his mother has lost 30
pounds and can't sleep. During her initial visit, the patient states, 'My husband
talks to me in his visits, but his words make no sense to me. I don't understand
what he wants me to do.' What is an appropriate nursing diagnosis?
A. Ineffective denial.
B. Bipolar mood disorder.
C. Hyper-religiosity.
D. Grieving.
A. Depression.
Reason: Depressed mood and anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure in activities)
are the primary symptoms of major depression. - CORRECT ANSWER Your
neighbor's husband comes to talk to you. He says his wife has not left the house in
2 weeks, has a flat mood, and has lost interest in her usual activities. You
recognize these as the primary symptoms of
A. Depression.
,B. Schizophrenia.
C. Suicidal ideation.
D. Bipolar manic episodes.
B. Cognitive.
Reason: Cognitive symptoms include inflated self-esteem and grandiosity. -
CORRECT ANSWER Your patient is ready for discharge after a 30-day
hospitalization for manic depression. About 30 minutes before his discharge, his
roommate comes to you and says, 'He is talking crazy.' When you ask your patient
how he is feeling, he states, 'I feel like Superman. I can do anything. I can fly home
today and then become a U.S. Senator.' Which type of mania-related symptoms is
this patient exhibiting?
A. Social.
B. Cognitive.
C. Behavioral.
D. Perceptual.
C. I will take my medicines as I should and know to call the number you gave me if
I have bad thoughts.
Reason: Verbalization of a plan for help and demonstration of care are realistic
discharge criteria. - CORRECT ANSWER You need to assess whether a patient who
has a mood disorder is ready for discharge. Which statement would indicate
readiness for discharge?
A. Right now, I can't bathe myself or dress myself, but I feel good about that.
, B. Going home will be fun, but if it isn't fun, I can always make my mother help me
or tell her to do so. She better help me.
C. I will take my medicines as I should and know to call the number you gave me if
I have bad thoughts.
D. Taking care of myself is important, but it's okay if I don't want to do anything.
B. Hitting others is unacceptable. Please put the chair completely down on the
floor.
Reason: Use words to indicate your lack of acceptance of the patient's behavior in
a nonthreatening voice or tone. - CORRECT ANSWER An angry patient is in the
community room. She picks up a chair and uses it to hit another patient on the
head. When you come into the community room, what should your first response
to the patient holding the chair be?
A. Are you crazy? Hitting people can hurt them!
B. Hitting others is unacceptable. Please put the chair completely down on the
floor.
C. How would you like it if I hit you over the head with a chair?
D. You're in big trouble now. It's probably prison you are looking at!
C. Safety.
Reason: Safety is the major principle underlying psychiatric nursing. - CORRECT
ANSWER A 22-year-old female is admitted to the unit following a suicide attempt.
She has a 2-week history of depression as well as a history of abusing multiple
substances and anorexia nervosa. What is your first nursing priority?
A. Socialization.
REVIEW 54 QUESTIONS SET 1 WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
D. Grieving.
Reason: Grieving may be characterized by weight loss, sleep disturbances, and
messages from beyond. - CORRECT ANSWER A 48-year-old Hispanic woman is
seen by a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist after receiving a call by her son.
According to the son, since his father's death 7 months ago, his mother has lost 30
pounds and can't sleep. During her initial visit, the patient states, 'My husband
talks to me in his visits, but his words make no sense to me. I don't understand
what he wants me to do.' What is an appropriate nursing diagnosis?
A. Ineffective denial.
B. Bipolar mood disorder.
C. Hyper-religiosity.
D. Grieving.
A. Depression.
Reason: Depressed mood and anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure in activities)
are the primary symptoms of major depression. - CORRECT ANSWER Your
neighbor's husband comes to talk to you. He says his wife has not left the house in
2 weeks, has a flat mood, and has lost interest in her usual activities. You
recognize these as the primary symptoms of
A. Depression.
,B. Schizophrenia.
C. Suicidal ideation.
D. Bipolar manic episodes.
B. Cognitive.
Reason: Cognitive symptoms include inflated self-esteem and grandiosity. -
CORRECT ANSWER Your patient is ready for discharge after a 30-day
hospitalization for manic depression. About 30 minutes before his discharge, his
roommate comes to you and says, 'He is talking crazy.' When you ask your patient
how he is feeling, he states, 'I feel like Superman. I can do anything. I can fly home
today and then become a U.S. Senator.' Which type of mania-related symptoms is
this patient exhibiting?
A. Social.
B. Cognitive.
C. Behavioral.
D. Perceptual.
C. I will take my medicines as I should and know to call the number you gave me if
I have bad thoughts.
Reason: Verbalization of a plan for help and demonstration of care are realistic
discharge criteria. - CORRECT ANSWER You need to assess whether a patient who
has a mood disorder is ready for discharge. Which statement would indicate
readiness for discharge?
A. Right now, I can't bathe myself or dress myself, but I feel good about that.
, B. Going home will be fun, but if it isn't fun, I can always make my mother help me
or tell her to do so. She better help me.
C. I will take my medicines as I should and know to call the number you gave me if
I have bad thoughts.
D. Taking care of myself is important, but it's okay if I don't want to do anything.
B. Hitting others is unacceptable. Please put the chair completely down on the
floor.
Reason: Use words to indicate your lack of acceptance of the patient's behavior in
a nonthreatening voice or tone. - CORRECT ANSWER An angry patient is in the
community room. She picks up a chair and uses it to hit another patient on the
head. When you come into the community room, what should your first response
to the patient holding the chair be?
A. Are you crazy? Hitting people can hurt them!
B. Hitting others is unacceptable. Please put the chair completely down on the
floor.
C. How would you like it if I hit you over the head with a chair?
D. You're in big trouble now. It's probably prison you are looking at!
C. Safety.
Reason: Safety is the major principle underlying psychiatric nursing. - CORRECT
ANSWER A 22-year-old female is admitted to the unit following a suicide attempt.
She has a 2-week history of depression as well as a history of abusing multiple
substances and anorexia nervosa. What is your first nursing priority?
A. Socialization.
