Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Exam
2026/2027: 80 Practice Questions & Answers
for NCLEX Success | Personality Disorders,
Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar,
Substance Use, PTSD
Description:
Master psychiatric mental health nursing with 80 exam-style questions and rationales for
2026/2027. Covers personality disorders, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, substance use,
PTSD, and more. Perfect for NCLEX prep, course exams, and mental health certification.
Download the complete 2026/2027 examination paper with answer key today!
, Mental Health Nursing Exam 80 Q&A 2026/2027
Section A: Personality Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client diagnosed with antisocial
personality disorder. Which communication strategy should the nurse prioritize?
A. Behave in a consistently friendly manner toward the client
B. Establish realistic behavioral limits for the client
C. Demonstrate respect for the client's need for social isolation
D. Model assertive communication techniques
Answer: B
Explanation: Clients with antisocial personality disorder often appear controlled but
demonstrate manipulative, impulsive, and potentially aggressive behaviors that can escalate
rapidly. Establishing clear, consistent limits on specific demanding or aggressive behaviors is
essential for maintaining safety and therapeutic boundaries. Friendly behavior may be
misinterpreted as vulnerability, respect for isolation fails to address core behavioral issues, and
assertiveness modeling is less effective than direct limit-setting.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing a client's medical record and identifies multiple manifestations consistent
with borderline personality disorder. Which findings should the nurse recognize as characteristic
of this diagnosis? (Select all that apply)
A. Stealing money from family members to cover credit card charges
B. Exercising twice weekly at a local fitness center
C. Becoming anxious when left alone for extended periods
D. Maintaining the same job for 12 consecutive years
E. Displaying hypersexual behaviors
,F. Being married multiple times
G. Presenting as well-groomed and well-nourished
H. Having documented incidents of self-injury
I. Engaging in physical altercations with others
Answer: A, C, E, F, H, I
Explanation: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by impulsivity, fear of
abandonment, unstable relationships, self-damaging behaviors, self-injury, and physical
aggression. Stealing money reflects impulsive behavior. Anxiety when left alone indicates fear of
separation. Hypersexualization represents impulsive, self-damaging behavior. Multiple marriages
demonstrate unstable romantic relationships. Self-injury and physical altercations are direct
manifestations of this disorder. Regular exercise, job stability, and appropriate grooming do not
suggest borderline personality pathology.
Question 3
A nurse in an outpatient psychiatric clinic is assessing a client whose behavior suggests
dependent personality disorder. Which clinical feature is most consistent with this condition?
A. Requiring excessive input from others to make routine daily decisions
B. Demonstrating work dedication that excludes leisure activities
C. Adhering rigidly to a personal set of rules and procedures
D. Experiencing difficulty initiating relationships unless acceptance is assured
Answer: A
Explanation: Clients with dependent personality disorder display a pervasive need to be cared
for, leading to submissive and clinging behaviors and fears of separation. This manifests as
requiring excessive advice and reassurance from others to make even ordinary decisions. Work
dedication without leisure suggests obsessive-compulsive personality traits. Rigid rule adherence
is characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Difficulty initiating relationships
without acceptance is more consistent with avoidant personality disorder.
, Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is exhibiting increased
agitation and a history of physical altercations. For which potential complication should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Self-isolation behaviors
B. Vegetative signs of depression
C. Violent behavior toward others
D. Medication nonadherence
Answer: C
Explanation: The client's history of physical altercations combined with current increased
agitation places the client at significant risk for violent behavior. The nurse should monitor for
escalating agitation and aggressive behaviors as priorities for safety. While self-isolation,
depressive symptoms, and medication nonadherence may occur, they do not represent the
immediate safety risk that violent behavior presents.
Question 5
A nurse is planning interventions for a client with borderline personality disorder who is agitated
and displaying aggressive manifestations. Which nursing actions are anticipated for this client?
(Select all that apply)
A. Administer haloperidol 2 mg intramuscularly
B. Hold the next scheduled dose of buspirone
C. Request a dietary change to mechanical soft foods
D. Request a prescription for digoxin 1 mg IV bolus stat
E. Calmly approach the client and state, "You seem agitated. Let's sit quietly and talk about it"
Answer: A, E
Explanation: Haloperidol administration is an anticipated intervention for an agitated client
displaying aggression. Using therapeutic communication to acknowledge the client's state and
2026/2027: 80 Practice Questions & Answers
for NCLEX Success | Personality Disorders,
Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar,
Substance Use, PTSD
Description:
Master psychiatric mental health nursing with 80 exam-style questions and rationales for
2026/2027. Covers personality disorders, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, substance use,
PTSD, and more. Perfect for NCLEX prep, course exams, and mental health certification.
Download the complete 2026/2027 examination paper with answer key today!
, Mental Health Nursing Exam 80 Q&A 2026/2027
Section A: Personality Disorders
Question 1
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client diagnosed with antisocial
personality disorder. Which communication strategy should the nurse prioritize?
A. Behave in a consistently friendly manner toward the client
B. Establish realistic behavioral limits for the client
C. Demonstrate respect for the client's need for social isolation
D. Model assertive communication techniques
Answer: B
Explanation: Clients with antisocial personality disorder often appear controlled but
demonstrate manipulative, impulsive, and potentially aggressive behaviors that can escalate
rapidly. Establishing clear, consistent limits on specific demanding or aggressive behaviors is
essential for maintaining safety and therapeutic boundaries. Friendly behavior may be
misinterpreted as vulnerability, respect for isolation fails to address core behavioral issues, and
assertiveness modeling is less effective than direct limit-setting.
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing a client's medical record and identifies multiple manifestations consistent
with borderline personality disorder. Which findings should the nurse recognize as characteristic
of this diagnosis? (Select all that apply)
A. Stealing money from family members to cover credit card charges
B. Exercising twice weekly at a local fitness center
C. Becoming anxious when left alone for extended periods
D. Maintaining the same job for 12 consecutive years
E. Displaying hypersexual behaviors
,F. Being married multiple times
G. Presenting as well-groomed and well-nourished
H. Having documented incidents of self-injury
I. Engaging in physical altercations with others
Answer: A, C, E, F, H, I
Explanation: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by impulsivity, fear of
abandonment, unstable relationships, self-damaging behaviors, self-injury, and physical
aggression. Stealing money reflects impulsive behavior. Anxiety when left alone indicates fear of
separation. Hypersexualization represents impulsive, self-damaging behavior. Multiple marriages
demonstrate unstable romantic relationships. Self-injury and physical altercations are direct
manifestations of this disorder. Regular exercise, job stability, and appropriate grooming do not
suggest borderline personality pathology.
Question 3
A nurse in an outpatient psychiatric clinic is assessing a client whose behavior suggests
dependent personality disorder. Which clinical feature is most consistent with this condition?
A. Requiring excessive input from others to make routine daily decisions
B. Demonstrating work dedication that excludes leisure activities
C. Adhering rigidly to a personal set of rules and procedures
D. Experiencing difficulty initiating relationships unless acceptance is assured
Answer: A
Explanation: Clients with dependent personality disorder display a pervasive need to be cared
for, leading to submissive and clinging behaviors and fears of separation. This manifests as
requiring excessive advice and reassurance from others to make even ordinary decisions. Work
dedication without leisure suggests obsessive-compulsive personality traits. Rigid rule adherence
is characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Difficulty initiating relationships
without acceptance is more consistent with avoidant personality disorder.
, Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is exhibiting increased
agitation and a history of physical altercations. For which potential complication should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Self-isolation behaviors
B. Vegetative signs of depression
C. Violent behavior toward others
D. Medication nonadherence
Answer: C
Explanation: The client's history of physical altercations combined with current increased
agitation places the client at significant risk for violent behavior. The nurse should monitor for
escalating agitation and aggressive behaviors as priorities for safety. While self-isolation,
depressive symptoms, and medication nonadherence may occur, they do not represent the
immediate safety risk that violent behavior presents.
Question 5
A nurse is planning interventions for a client with borderline personality disorder who is agitated
and displaying aggressive manifestations. Which nursing actions are anticipated for this client?
(Select all that apply)
A. Administer haloperidol 2 mg intramuscularly
B. Hold the next scheduled dose of buspirone
C. Request a dietary change to mechanical soft foods
D. Request a prescription for digoxin 1 mg IV bolus stat
E. Calmly approach the client and state, "You seem agitated. Let's sit quietly and talk about it"
Answer: A, E
Explanation: Haloperidol administration is an anticipated intervention for an agitated client
displaying aggression. Using therapeutic communication to acknowledge the client's state and
