1|Page
NUR 3525 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2026-2027 | 200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES | PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS |
THERAPIES | MEDICATIONS | HIGH-YIELD
Table of Contents
1. **Foundations of Mental Health Nursing** (Q1–Q20)
2. **Therapeutic Communication & Relationships** (Q21–Q35)
3. **Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing** (Q36–Q50)
4. **Mood Disorders (Depression & Bipolar)** (Q51–Q70)
5. **Anxiety Disorders** (Q71–Q85)
6. **Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders** (Q86–Q95)
7. **Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders (PTSD, Adjustment Disorder)** (Q96–
Q105)
8. **Schizophrenia Spectrum & Psychotic Disorders** (Q106–Q125)
9. **Personality Disorders** (Q126–Q140)
10. **Substance Use Disorders** (Q141–Q155)
11. **Eating Disorders** (Q156–Q165)
12. **Neurocognitive Disorders (Delirium, Dementia)** (Q166–Q175)
13. **Suicide & Self-Harm** (Q176–Q185)
14. **Crisis Intervention & De-escalation** (Q186–Q195)
15. **Psychopharmacology** (Q196–Q215)
16. **High-Yield NGN Case Scenarios** (Q216–Q225)
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Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Q1–Q20)
**Q1.** A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder.
Which statement by the nurse reflects a nonjudgmental attitude?
A. “I notice you seem sad today. Would you like to talk about it?”
B. “You should cheer up and focus on the positive.”
C. “Everyone gets sad sometimes; you’ll get over it.”
D. “Why are you depressed when you have so much to be thankful for?”
**Correct Answer: A – “I notice you seem sad today. Would you like to
talk about it?”**
*Rationale: This response is open, nonjudgmental, and invites the client
to share feelings without criticism.*
**Q2.** A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is hearing
voices. Which response is most therapeutic?
A. “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.”
B. “Those voices are not real; ignore them.”
C. “You are hallucinating; try to focus on my voice.”
D. “Stop listening to the voices; they are lying to you.”
**Correct Answer: A – “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they
are real to you.”**
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*Rationale: This response validates the client’s experience without
reinforcing the hallucination.*
**Q3.** A nurse is caring for a client with a personality disorder who is
manipulative. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Set consistent, firm limits on behavior
B. Ignore the manipulative behavior
C. Allow the client to break rules to build trust
D. Discharge the client for noncompliance
**Correct Answer: A – Set consistent, firm limits on behavior**
*Rationale: Consistent limit-setting prevents manipulation and promotes
accountability.*
**Q4.** A client tells the nurse, “I don’t want to take my medication
because it makes me feel like a zombie.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. “Tell me more about how the medication makes you feel.”
B. “You must take your medication as prescribed.”
C. “That feeling will go away eventually.”
D. “I will talk to the provider about discontinuing it.”
**Correct Answer: A – “Tell me more about how the medication makes
you feel.”**
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*Rationale: Exploring the client’s concerns promotes therapeutic
alliance and adherence.*
**Q5.** A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a
manic phase. Which intervention is priority?
A. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
B. Engage the client in competitive games
C. Allow the client to lead group therapy
D. Offer high-calorie snacks
**Correct Answer: A – Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment**
*Rationale: Reducing stimuli helps decrease manic symptoms and
agitation.*
**Q6.** A nurse is caring for a client with severe anxiety. Which finding
is expected?
A. Restlessness, increased heart rate, and hyperventilation
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Flat affect and social withdrawal
D. Grandiose delusions
**Correct Answer: A – Restlessness, increased heart rate, and
hyperventilation**
NUR 3525 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2026-2027 | 200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES | PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS |
THERAPIES | MEDICATIONS | HIGH-YIELD
Table of Contents
1. **Foundations of Mental Health Nursing** (Q1–Q20)
2. **Therapeutic Communication & Relationships** (Q21–Q35)
3. **Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing** (Q36–Q50)
4. **Mood Disorders (Depression & Bipolar)** (Q51–Q70)
5. **Anxiety Disorders** (Q71–Q85)
6. **Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders** (Q86–Q95)
7. **Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders (PTSD, Adjustment Disorder)** (Q96–
Q105)
8. **Schizophrenia Spectrum & Psychotic Disorders** (Q106–Q125)
9. **Personality Disorders** (Q126–Q140)
10. **Substance Use Disorders** (Q141–Q155)
11. **Eating Disorders** (Q156–Q165)
12. **Neurocognitive Disorders (Delirium, Dementia)** (Q166–Q175)
13. **Suicide & Self-Harm** (Q176–Q185)
14. **Crisis Intervention & De-escalation** (Q186–Q195)
15. **Psychopharmacology** (Q196–Q215)
16. **High-Yield NGN Case Scenarios** (Q216–Q225)
,2|Page
Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Q1–Q20)
**Q1.** A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder.
Which statement by the nurse reflects a nonjudgmental attitude?
A. “I notice you seem sad today. Would you like to talk about it?”
B. “You should cheer up and focus on the positive.”
C. “Everyone gets sad sometimes; you’ll get over it.”
D. “Why are you depressed when you have so much to be thankful for?”
**Correct Answer: A – “I notice you seem sad today. Would you like to
talk about it?”**
*Rationale: This response is open, nonjudgmental, and invites the client
to share feelings without criticism.*
**Q2.** A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is hearing
voices. Which response is most therapeutic?
A. “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.”
B. “Those voices are not real; ignore them.”
C. “You are hallucinating; try to focus on my voice.”
D. “Stop listening to the voices; they are lying to you.”
**Correct Answer: A – “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they
are real to you.”**
,3|Page
*Rationale: This response validates the client’s experience without
reinforcing the hallucination.*
**Q3.** A nurse is caring for a client with a personality disorder who is
manipulative. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Set consistent, firm limits on behavior
B. Ignore the manipulative behavior
C. Allow the client to break rules to build trust
D. Discharge the client for noncompliance
**Correct Answer: A – Set consistent, firm limits on behavior**
*Rationale: Consistent limit-setting prevents manipulation and promotes
accountability.*
**Q4.** A client tells the nurse, “I don’t want to take my medication
because it makes me feel like a zombie.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. “Tell me more about how the medication makes you feel.”
B. “You must take your medication as prescribed.”
C. “That feeling will go away eventually.”
D. “I will talk to the provider about discontinuing it.”
**Correct Answer: A – “Tell me more about how the medication makes
you feel.”**
, 4|Page
*Rationale: Exploring the client’s concerns promotes therapeutic
alliance and adherence.*
**Q5.** A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a
manic phase. Which intervention is priority?
A. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
B. Engage the client in competitive games
C. Allow the client to lead group therapy
D. Offer high-calorie snacks
**Correct Answer: A – Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment**
*Rationale: Reducing stimuli helps decrease manic symptoms and
agitation.*
**Q6.** A nurse is caring for a client with severe anxiety. Which finding
is expected?
A. Restlessness, increased heart rate, and hyperventilation
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Flat affect and social withdrawal
D. Grandiose delusions
**Correct Answer: A – Restlessness, increased heart rate, and
hyperventilation**
