1
NUR 256 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM (2026 UPDATE) | 200
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100% CORRECT ALREADY
GRADED A+– GALEN COLLEGE
1.
A nurse observes a patient pacing and clenching fists before shouting angrily. What
is the nurse’s best initial response?
A. Leave the patient alone until calm
B. Call security immediately
C. Speak calmly and set clear limits on behavior
D. Restrain the patient
Answer: C – Speak calmly and set clear limits on behavior
Rationale: Early verbal de-escalation and boundary setting prevent escalation to
violence.
2.
A 45-year-old patient with depression says, “My family would be better off
without me.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Offer reassurance
B. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts or plans
C. Encourage exercise
D. Notify family immediately
Answer: B – Ask directly about suicidal thoughts or plans
Rationale: Direct suicide assessment is the first step in ensuring safety.
3.
Which communication technique demonstrates therapeutic listening?
A. Giving advice
, 2
B. Offering approval
C. Restating and reflecting feelings
D. Changing the subject
Answer: C – Restating and reflecting feelings
Rationale: Reflective listening shows empathy and understanding without
judgment.
4.
A patient on haloperidol develops muscle stiffness, drooling, and tremor. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Lorazepam
B. Benztropine
C. Lithium
D. Clozapine
Answer: B – Benztropine
Rationale: Benztropine treats extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) caused by
dopamine blockade.
5.
A nurse is caring for a patient with mania who interrupts others and speaks rapidly.
What is the most effective nursing approach?
A. Encourage group discussion
B. Set firm, consistent limits
C. Provide detailed explanations
D. Challenge the patient’s statements
Answer: B – Set firm, consistent limits
Rationale: Structure and limit-setting help reduce overstimulation and impulsivity.
6.
Which statement by a depressed patient indicates improvement?
A. “I feel hopeless about my future.”
, 3
B. “I’m going to call my sister today.”
C. “I still can’t sleep at all.”
D. “I don’t want to eat anything.”
Answer: B – “I’m going to call my sister today.”
Rationale: Engagement in relationships signals progress in depression recovery.
7.
A patient with schizophrenia states, “The government put a chip in my head.”
What is the best nursing response?
A. “That’s not true.”
B. “Tell me more about how you feel about that.”
C. “You should stop thinking that way.”
D. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
Answer: B – “Tell me more about how you feel about that.”
Rationale: Exploring feelings without reinforcing delusion maintains trust and
reality orientation.
8.
A patient with bipolar disorder is pacing and shouting. What nursing action has the
highest priority?
A. Ask the patient to discuss their feelings
B. Offer a PRN antipsychotic medication
C. Begin cognitive-behavioral therapy
D. Encourage relaxation techniques
Answer: B – Offer PRN medication
Rationale: In acute mania, medication and safety interventions take priority.
9.
Which statement best reflects the concept of repression as a defense mechanism?
A. “I forgot the details of the accident.”
B. “I failed because the teacher hates me.”
, 4
C. “I laugh when I’m nervous.”
D. “I act like a child when upset.”
Answer: A – “I forgot the details of the accident.”
Rationale: Repression involves unconsciously blocking painful memories or
thoughts.
10.
A nurse cares for a patient experiencing command hallucinations. What should be
assessed first?
A. The content of the hallucination
B. The patient’s medication compliance
C. Family support
D. Insight into illness
Answer: A – The content of the hallucination
Rationale: Determining whether the hallucination commands self-harm or
violence ensures safety.
11.
A patient reports muscle rigidity, fever, and confusion after starting haloperidol.
Which emergency condition is suspected?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. EPS
D. Akathisia
Answer: B – Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: NMS presents with rigidity, hyperthermia, and altered mental status —
a medical emergency.
12.
A patient is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom requires immediate
medical intervention?
NUR 256 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM (2026 UPDATE) | 200
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100% CORRECT ALREADY
GRADED A+– GALEN COLLEGE
1.
A nurse observes a patient pacing and clenching fists before shouting angrily. What
is the nurse’s best initial response?
A. Leave the patient alone until calm
B. Call security immediately
C. Speak calmly and set clear limits on behavior
D. Restrain the patient
Answer: C – Speak calmly and set clear limits on behavior
Rationale: Early verbal de-escalation and boundary setting prevent escalation to
violence.
2.
A 45-year-old patient with depression says, “My family would be better off
without me.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Offer reassurance
B. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts or plans
C. Encourage exercise
D. Notify family immediately
Answer: B – Ask directly about suicidal thoughts or plans
Rationale: Direct suicide assessment is the first step in ensuring safety.
3.
Which communication technique demonstrates therapeutic listening?
A. Giving advice
, 2
B. Offering approval
C. Restating and reflecting feelings
D. Changing the subject
Answer: C – Restating and reflecting feelings
Rationale: Reflective listening shows empathy and understanding without
judgment.
4.
A patient on haloperidol develops muscle stiffness, drooling, and tremor. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Lorazepam
B. Benztropine
C. Lithium
D. Clozapine
Answer: B – Benztropine
Rationale: Benztropine treats extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) caused by
dopamine blockade.
5.
A nurse is caring for a patient with mania who interrupts others and speaks rapidly.
What is the most effective nursing approach?
A. Encourage group discussion
B. Set firm, consistent limits
C. Provide detailed explanations
D. Challenge the patient’s statements
Answer: B – Set firm, consistent limits
Rationale: Structure and limit-setting help reduce overstimulation and impulsivity.
6.
Which statement by a depressed patient indicates improvement?
A. “I feel hopeless about my future.”
, 3
B. “I’m going to call my sister today.”
C. “I still can’t sleep at all.”
D. “I don’t want to eat anything.”
Answer: B – “I’m going to call my sister today.”
Rationale: Engagement in relationships signals progress in depression recovery.
7.
A patient with schizophrenia states, “The government put a chip in my head.”
What is the best nursing response?
A. “That’s not true.”
B. “Tell me more about how you feel about that.”
C. “You should stop thinking that way.”
D. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
Answer: B – “Tell me more about how you feel about that.”
Rationale: Exploring feelings without reinforcing delusion maintains trust and
reality orientation.
8.
A patient with bipolar disorder is pacing and shouting. What nursing action has the
highest priority?
A. Ask the patient to discuss their feelings
B. Offer a PRN antipsychotic medication
C. Begin cognitive-behavioral therapy
D. Encourage relaxation techniques
Answer: B – Offer PRN medication
Rationale: In acute mania, medication and safety interventions take priority.
9.
Which statement best reflects the concept of repression as a defense mechanism?
A. “I forgot the details of the accident.”
B. “I failed because the teacher hates me.”
, 4
C. “I laugh when I’m nervous.”
D. “I act like a child when upset.”
Answer: A – “I forgot the details of the accident.”
Rationale: Repression involves unconsciously blocking painful memories or
thoughts.
10.
A nurse cares for a patient experiencing command hallucinations. What should be
assessed first?
A. The content of the hallucination
B. The patient’s medication compliance
C. Family support
D. Insight into illness
Answer: A – The content of the hallucination
Rationale: Determining whether the hallucination commands self-harm or
violence ensures safety.
11.
A patient reports muscle rigidity, fever, and confusion after starting haloperidol.
Which emergency condition is suspected?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. EPS
D. Akathisia
Answer: B – Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: NMS presents with rigidity, hyperthermia, and altered mental status —
a medical emergency.
12.
A patient is admitted for alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom requires immediate
medical intervention?
