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PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM ACTUAL EXAMS (2026 2
DIFFERENT VERSIONS) | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS,
GUARANTEE PASS
Q1. Therapeutic Communication
A patient with depression states, “I don’t think life is worth living.” The
most therapeutic nurse response is:
A. Don’t say that, you’ll be fine.
B. Have you thought about hurting yourself?
C. You should think of your family.
D. Try to stay positive.
Correct Answer: B. Have you thought about hurting yourself?
Rationale: Direct, nonjudgmental assessment of suicidal ideation is safest
and therapeutic.
Reference: APA Suicide Assessment Guidelines
Q2. Mental Status Exam
During assessment, a patient describes unrelated ideas with no logical
connections. This is:
A. Tangential speech
B. Flight of ideas
C. Loose associations
D. Neologisms
Correct Answer: C. Loose associations
Rationale: Loose associations are illogical shifting between unrelated
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topics, common in schizophrenia.
Reference: Townsend, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 11th ed.
Q3. Psychopharmacology
A patient prescribed lithium reports nausea and tremors. Which action is
priority?
A. Continue and reassure
B. Stop medication immediately
C. Assess serum lithium level
D. Give with milk
Correct Answer: C. Assess serum lithium level
Rationale: Nausea and tremors may indicate lithium toxicity; blood level
check is essential.
Reference: NLM Lithium Safety
Q4. Schizophrenia
A patient says, “The FBI has placed cameras in my room.” This is:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion of reference
C. Persecutory delusion
D. Magical thinking
Correct Answer: C. Persecutory delusion
Rationale: Persecutory delusions involve beliefs of being targeted or
harassed.
Reference: DSM-5-TR
Q5. Suicide Risk
Which finding indicates highest suicide risk?
A. Female, divorced, 30s
B. Male, elderly, lives alone
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C. College student, anxious
D. Married, employed, supportive family
Correct Answer: B. Male, elderly, lives alone
Rationale: Older men living alone with fewer supports have the highest
suicide rates.
Reference: CDC Suicide Facts (2024)
Q6. Therapeutic Milieu
Best intervention for a newly admitted aggressive patient:
A. Assign roommate
B. Allow isolation
C. Provide structured environment
D. Encourage group sharing immediately
Correct Answer: C. Provide structured environment
Rationale: Structure and consistency reduce agitation and increase safety.
Reference: Varcarolis, Psychiatric Nursing, 10th ed.
Q7. Depression
First-line medication for major depressive disorder:
A. Tricyclics
B. SSRIs
C. MAOIs
D. Benzodiazepines
Correct Answer: B. SSRIs
Rationale: SSRIs are recommended due to safer profile and efficacy.
Reference: APA Depression Guidelines 2023
Q8. Bipolar Disorder
Which symptom is most characteristic of mania?
A. Flat affect
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B. Flight of ideas
C. Social withdrawal
D. Slowed speech
Correct Answer: B. Flight of ideas
Rationale: Rapid shifting of ideas is a hallmark of mania.
Reference: DSM-5-TR
Q9. Antipsychotics
A patient on haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever, diaphoresis. The
nurse suspects:
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct Answer: B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: NMS = rigidity, hyperthermia, autonomic instability; medical
emergency.
Reference: NLM Haloperidol Safety
Q10. Anxiety Disorders
Which is most effective short-term treatment for acute panic attack?
A. SSRI
B. Benzodiazepine
C. Beta blocker
D. Buspirone
Correct Answer: B. Benzodiazepine
Rationale: Benzodiazepines provide rapid relief of acute panic symptoms.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock’s Psychiatry, 12th ed.
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM ACTUAL EXAMS (2026 2
DIFFERENT VERSIONS) | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS,
GUARANTEE PASS
Q1. Therapeutic Communication
A patient with depression states, “I don’t think life is worth living.” The
most therapeutic nurse response is:
A. Don’t say that, you’ll be fine.
B. Have you thought about hurting yourself?
C. You should think of your family.
D. Try to stay positive.
Correct Answer: B. Have you thought about hurting yourself?
Rationale: Direct, nonjudgmental assessment of suicidal ideation is safest
and therapeutic.
Reference: APA Suicide Assessment Guidelines
Q2. Mental Status Exam
During assessment, a patient describes unrelated ideas with no logical
connections. This is:
A. Tangential speech
B. Flight of ideas
C. Loose associations
D. Neologisms
Correct Answer: C. Loose associations
Rationale: Loose associations are illogical shifting between unrelated
,2|Page
topics, common in schizophrenia.
Reference: Townsend, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, 11th ed.
Q3. Psychopharmacology
A patient prescribed lithium reports nausea and tremors. Which action is
priority?
A. Continue and reassure
B. Stop medication immediately
C. Assess serum lithium level
D. Give with milk
Correct Answer: C. Assess serum lithium level
Rationale: Nausea and tremors may indicate lithium toxicity; blood level
check is essential.
Reference: NLM Lithium Safety
Q4. Schizophrenia
A patient says, “The FBI has placed cameras in my room.” This is:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion of reference
C. Persecutory delusion
D. Magical thinking
Correct Answer: C. Persecutory delusion
Rationale: Persecutory delusions involve beliefs of being targeted or
harassed.
Reference: DSM-5-TR
Q5. Suicide Risk
Which finding indicates highest suicide risk?
A. Female, divorced, 30s
B. Male, elderly, lives alone
,3|Page
C. College student, anxious
D. Married, employed, supportive family
Correct Answer: B. Male, elderly, lives alone
Rationale: Older men living alone with fewer supports have the highest
suicide rates.
Reference: CDC Suicide Facts (2024)
Q6. Therapeutic Milieu
Best intervention for a newly admitted aggressive patient:
A. Assign roommate
B. Allow isolation
C. Provide structured environment
D. Encourage group sharing immediately
Correct Answer: C. Provide structured environment
Rationale: Structure and consistency reduce agitation and increase safety.
Reference: Varcarolis, Psychiatric Nursing, 10th ed.
Q7. Depression
First-line medication for major depressive disorder:
A. Tricyclics
B. SSRIs
C. MAOIs
D. Benzodiazepines
Correct Answer: B. SSRIs
Rationale: SSRIs are recommended due to safer profile and efficacy.
Reference: APA Depression Guidelines 2023
Q8. Bipolar Disorder
Which symptom is most characteristic of mania?
A. Flat affect
, 4|Page
B. Flight of ideas
C. Social withdrawal
D. Slowed speech
Correct Answer: B. Flight of ideas
Rationale: Rapid shifting of ideas is a hallmark of mania.
Reference: DSM-5-TR
Q9. Antipsychotics
A patient on haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever, diaphoresis. The
nurse suspects:
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Tardive dyskinesia
Correct Answer: B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: NMS = rigidity, hyperthermia, autonomic instability; medical
emergency.
Reference: NLM Haloperidol Safety
Q10. Anxiety Disorders
Which is most effective short-term treatment for acute panic attack?
A. SSRI
B. Benzodiazepine
C. Beta blocker
D. Buspirone
Correct Answer: B. Benzodiazepine
Rationale: Benzodiazepines provide rapid relief of acute panic symptoms.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock’s Psychiatry, 12th ed.
