Mental Health NGN Study Guide
Next Generation NCLEX Practice Questions for Psychiatric Nursing
Table of Contents
1. Anxiety and Mood Disorders
2. Psychotic Disorders
3. Substance Use Disorders
4. Personality Disorders
5. Therapeutic Communication
6. Psychopharmacology
7. Crisis Intervention
8. Legal and Ethical Issues
9. Therapeutic Milieu
10. NGN Question Format Examples
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Scenario 1: Major Depressive Episode
Case Study: Maria, a 28-year-old teacher, was admitted to the psychiatric unit after expressing suicidal
ideation. She reports feeling hopeless, has lost 15 pounds in the past month, sleeps 3-4 hours nightly,
and has difficulty concentrating at work. Her PHQ-9 score is 22.
Question 1 (Multiple Response - Select All That Apply)
Which nursing interventions are appropriate for Maria during the acute phase of her depression? Select
all that apply.
A) Encourage participation in group activities immediately
B) Assess suicide risk every shift
C) Provide a low-stimulation environment
D) Monitor food and fluid intake
E) Encourage decision-making to build confidence
F) Establish a consistent daily routine
G) Allow extended sleep periods
Correct Answers: B, C, D, F
Rationales:
B) Assess suicide risk every shift - Correct. With suicidal ideation and severe depression, ongoing
risk assessment is essential.
C) Provide a low-stimulation environment - Correct. Reduces overwhelming stimuli that can
worsen depression and anxiety.
D) Monitor food and fluid intake - Correct. Significant weight loss indicates need for nutritional
monitoring.
F) Establish a consistent daily routine - Correct. Structure helps with decision-making difficulties
and provides stability.
Incorrect Options:
A) Too overwhelming initially; start with one-on-one interactions
, E) Avoid major decisions during acute depression due to impaired concentration
G) Excessive sleep can worsen depression; maintain normal sleep-wake cycle
Question 2 (Enhanced Multiple Choice)
Maria asks, "Will I ever feel normal again? I feel like such a burden to everyone." Which is the most
therapeutic response?
A) "You're not a burden. Your family loves you very much."
B) "Many people with depression feel this way. You will get better with treatment."
C) "It sounds like you're feeling hopeless right now. Tell me more about these feelings."
D) "You shouldn't think that way. Focus on the positive things in your life."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response uses reflection and open-ended questioning to encourage expression of
feelings without dismissing them or offering false reassurance. It validates the patient's experience while
gathering more assessment data.
Question 3 (Drag and Drop - Prioritization)
Place the following nursing actions in order of priority for a patient with severe depression and suicidal
ideation:
Available Actions:
Administer prescribed antidepressant medication
Complete comprehensive suicide risk assessment
Establish therapeutic relationship
Remove potential self-harm objects from environment
Document patient's mood and affect
Correct Order:
1. Remove potential self-harm objects from environment
2. Complete comprehensive suicide risk assessment
3. Establish therapeutic relationship
4. Administer prescribed antidepressant medication
5. Document patient's mood and affect
Rationale: Safety is the highest priority. Environmental safety measures come first, followed by thorough
risk assessment, then therapeutic interventions and documentation.
Scenario 2: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Case Study: James, a 35-year-old accountant, presents with excessive worry about work performance,
family finances, and health concerns for the past 8 months. He reports muscle tension, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, and sleep disturbances. His GAD-7 score is 18.
Question 4 (Multiple Response - Select All That Apply)
Which symptoms are consistent with Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Select all that apply.
A) Excessive worry about multiple life areas
B) Muscle tension and fatigue
C) Difficulty concentrating
D) Panic attacks with chest pain
E) Sleep disturbances
F) Worry lasting at least 6 months
G) Compulsive behaviors
Next Generation NCLEX Practice Questions for Psychiatric Nursing
Table of Contents
1. Anxiety and Mood Disorders
2. Psychotic Disorders
3. Substance Use Disorders
4. Personality Disorders
5. Therapeutic Communication
6. Psychopharmacology
7. Crisis Intervention
8. Legal and Ethical Issues
9. Therapeutic Milieu
10. NGN Question Format Examples
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Scenario 1: Major Depressive Episode
Case Study: Maria, a 28-year-old teacher, was admitted to the psychiatric unit after expressing suicidal
ideation. She reports feeling hopeless, has lost 15 pounds in the past month, sleeps 3-4 hours nightly,
and has difficulty concentrating at work. Her PHQ-9 score is 22.
Question 1 (Multiple Response - Select All That Apply)
Which nursing interventions are appropriate for Maria during the acute phase of her depression? Select
all that apply.
A) Encourage participation in group activities immediately
B) Assess suicide risk every shift
C) Provide a low-stimulation environment
D) Monitor food and fluid intake
E) Encourage decision-making to build confidence
F) Establish a consistent daily routine
G) Allow extended sleep periods
Correct Answers: B, C, D, F
Rationales:
B) Assess suicide risk every shift - Correct. With suicidal ideation and severe depression, ongoing
risk assessment is essential.
C) Provide a low-stimulation environment - Correct. Reduces overwhelming stimuli that can
worsen depression and anxiety.
D) Monitor food and fluid intake - Correct. Significant weight loss indicates need for nutritional
monitoring.
F) Establish a consistent daily routine - Correct. Structure helps with decision-making difficulties
and provides stability.
Incorrect Options:
A) Too overwhelming initially; start with one-on-one interactions
, E) Avoid major decisions during acute depression due to impaired concentration
G) Excessive sleep can worsen depression; maintain normal sleep-wake cycle
Question 2 (Enhanced Multiple Choice)
Maria asks, "Will I ever feel normal again? I feel like such a burden to everyone." Which is the most
therapeutic response?
A) "You're not a burden. Your family loves you very much."
B) "Many people with depression feel this way. You will get better with treatment."
C) "It sounds like you're feeling hopeless right now. Tell me more about these feelings."
D) "You shouldn't think that way. Focus on the positive things in your life."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response uses reflection and open-ended questioning to encourage expression of
feelings without dismissing them or offering false reassurance. It validates the patient's experience while
gathering more assessment data.
Question 3 (Drag and Drop - Prioritization)
Place the following nursing actions in order of priority for a patient with severe depression and suicidal
ideation:
Available Actions:
Administer prescribed antidepressant medication
Complete comprehensive suicide risk assessment
Establish therapeutic relationship
Remove potential self-harm objects from environment
Document patient's mood and affect
Correct Order:
1. Remove potential self-harm objects from environment
2. Complete comprehensive suicide risk assessment
3. Establish therapeutic relationship
4. Administer prescribed antidepressant medication
5. Document patient's mood and affect
Rationale: Safety is the highest priority. Environmental safety measures come first, followed by thorough
risk assessment, then therapeutic interventions and documentation.
Scenario 2: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Case Study: James, a 35-year-old accountant, presents with excessive worry about work performance,
family finances, and health concerns for the past 8 months. He reports muscle tension, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, and sleep disturbances. His GAD-7 score is 18.
Question 4 (Multiple Response - Select All That Apply)
Which symptoms are consistent with Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Select all that apply.
A) Excessive worry about multiple life areas
B) Muscle tension and fatigue
C) Difficulty concentrating
D) Panic attacks with chest pain
E) Sleep disturbances
F) Worry lasting at least 6 months
G) Compulsive behaviors
