PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS
◉What treatment should a nurse anticipate will be prescribed for a
client with severe, persistent, intractable depression and suicidal
ideation? Answer: Electroconvulsive therapy
◉An older adult, accompanied by family members, is admitted to a
long-term care facility with symptoms of dementia. During the
admission procedure the initial statement by the nurse most helpful
to this client is: Answer: "Don't be afraid. I'm your nurse, and
everyone here in the hospital is here to help you."
◉An older depressed person at an independent living facility
constantly complains about her health problems to anyone who will
listen. One day the client says, "I'm not going to any more activities.
All these old crabby people do is talk about their problems." What
defense mechanism does the nurse conclude that the client is using?
Answer: Projection
,◉A client with alcohol dependence problem asks whether the nurse
can see the bugs that are crawling on the bed. What is the nurse's
initial reply? Answer: "No, I don't see any bugs."
◉A client is responding within an hour of receiving naloxone to
combat respiratory depression from an overdose of heroin. Why
should a nurse continue to closely monitor this client's status?
Answer: Symptoms of the heroin overdose may return after the
naloxone is metabolized.
◉A client tells the nurse, "The voices say I'll be safe only if I stay in
this room, wear these clothes, and avoid stepping on the cracks
between the floor tiles." What is the best initial response by the
nurse? Answer: "I understand that these voices are real to you, but I
want you to know that I don't hear them."
◉A parent of a 17-year-old girl who has been hospitalized for
extremely disturbed acting-out behavior leaves a gift for the
daughter but says, "I'm too busy to visit today." The daughter
becomes upset and tearful after being given the message and
opening the package. What does the nurse conclude that the
parent's actions represent? Answer: Double-bind message
◉A client with schizophrenia is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The
client is talking while walking in the hall, is unkempt, and obviously
has not washed in several days. What should the nurse say when
,trying to help this client shower? Answer: "I'll help you take your
shower now."
◉When a client is expressing severe anxiety by sobbing in the fetal
position on her bed, the nurse's priority is: Answer: Ensuring a safe
therapeutic milieu
◉A nurse is caring for several clients who are going through
withdrawal from alcohol. The primary reason for the ingestion of
alcohol by clients with a history of alcohol abuse is that they:
Answer: Are dependent on it
◉A nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of alcohol
withdrawal delirium. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse
to implement? Answer: Assuring the client that the symptoms are
part of the withdrawal syndrome
◉A 30-year-old woman reports to the mental health clinic on the
recommendation of her primary health care provider. She has been
unable to carry out everyday activities because of increased pain in
her lower back and legs. Numerous neurological and orthopedic
workups indicate that her symptoms seem excessive when
compared with the physical problems shown on physical
examination and repeated MRIs and x-rays. She says that no one
understands how difficult it has been to care for her 32-year-old
husband, who has an inoperable brain tumor and is undergoing
, chemotherapy. In light of the history and symptoms, what disorder
should the nurse suspect? Answer: Conversion
◉A client is admitted to the hospital because of incapacitating
obsessive-compulsive behavior. The statement that best describes
how clients with obsessive-compulsive behavior view this disorder
is: Answer: "I know there's no reason to do these things, but I can't
help myself."
◉A client with schizophrenia is demonstrating waxy flexibility.
Which intervention is the best way to manage the possible outcome
of this behavior? Answer: Passive range-of-motion exercises three
times a day for effective joint health
◉A client has been on the psychiatric unit for several days. The
client arouses anxiety and frustration in the staff and manipulates
them so well that staff members are afraid to approach the client.
One morning the client shouts at the nurse, "You've worked it so I
can't go for a walk with the group today. You're as cunning as a fox. I
hate you! Get out, or I'll hit you!" What is the best response by the
nurse? Answer: "I don't like hearing your threats, but tell me more
about your feelings."
◉An adult client confides to a clinic nurse, "I fantasize about having
sex with children, and I get the urge to do it, too." What is the most
appropriate response by the nurse? Answer: Asking the client,
"Have you ever acted on these thoughts?"
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS
◉What treatment should a nurse anticipate will be prescribed for a
client with severe, persistent, intractable depression and suicidal
ideation? Answer: Electroconvulsive therapy
◉An older adult, accompanied by family members, is admitted to a
long-term care facility with symptoms of dementia. During the
admission procedure the initial statement by the nurse most helpful
to this client is: Answer: "Don't be afraid. I'm your nurse, and
everyone here in the hospital is here to help you."
◉An older depressed person at an independent living facility
constantly complains about her health problems to anyone who will
listen. One day the client says, "I'm not going to any more activities.
All these old crabby people do is talk about their problems." What
defense mechanism does the nurse conclude that the client is using?
Answer: Projection
,◉A client with alcohol dependence problem asks whether the nurse
can see the bugs that are crawling on the bed. What is the nurse's
initial reply? Answer: "No, I don't see any bugs."
◉A client is responding within an hour of receiving naloxone to
combat respiratory depression from an overdose of heroin. Why
should a nurse continue to closely monitor this client's status?
Answer: Symptoms of the heroin overdose may return after the
naloxone is metabolized.
◉A client tells the nurse, "The voices say I'll be safe only if I stay in
this room, wear these clothes, and avoid stepping on the cracks
between the floor tiles." What is the best initial response by the
nurse? Answer: "I understand that these voices are real to you, but I
want you to know that I don't hear them."
◉A parent of a 17-year-old girl who has been hospitalized for
extremely disturbed acting-out behavior leaves a gift for the
daughter but says, "I'm too busy to visit today." The daughter
becomes upset and tearful after being given the message and
opening the package. What does the nurse conclude that the
parent's actions represent? Answer: Double-bind message
◉A client with schizophrenia is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The
client is talking while walking in the hall, is unkempt, and obviously
has not washed in several days. What should the nurse say when
,trying to help this client shower? Answer: "I'll help you take your
shower now."
◉When a client is expressing severe anxiety by sobbing in the fetal
position on her bed, the nurse's priority is: Answer: Ensuring a safe
therapeutic milieu
◉A nurse is caring for several clients who are going through
withdrawal from alcohol. The primary reason for the ingestion of
alcohol by clients with a history of alcohol abuse is that they:
Answer: Are dependent on it
◉A nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of alcohol
withdrawal delirium. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse
to implement? Answer: Assuring the client that the symptoms are
part of the withdrawal syndrome
◉A 30-year-old woman reports to the mental health clinic on the
recommendation of her primary health care provider. She has been
unable to carry out everyday activities because of increased pain in
her lower back and legs. Numerous neurological and orthopedic
workups indicate that her symptoms seem excessive when
compared with the physical problems shown on physical
examination and repeated MRIs and x-rays. She says that no one
understands how difficult it has been to care for her 32-year-old
husband, who has an inoperable brain tumor and is undergoing
, chemotherapy. In light of the history and symptoms, what disorder
should the nurse suspect? Answer: Conversion
◉A client is admitted to the hospital because of incapacitating
obsessive-compulsive behavior. The statement that best describes
how clients with obsessive-compulsive behavior view this disorder
is: Answer: "I know there's no reason to do these things, but I can't
help myself."
◉A client with schizophrenia is demonstrating waxy flexibility.
Which intervention is the best way to manage the possible outcome
of this behavior? Answer: Passive range-of-motion exercises three
times a day for effective joint health
◉A client has been on the psychiatric unit for several days. The
client arouses anxiety and frustration in the staff and manipulates
them so well that staff members are afraid to approach the client.
One morning the client shouts at the nurse, "You've worked it so I
can't go for a walk with the group today. You're as cunning as a fox. I
hate you! Get out, or I'll hit you!" What is the best response by the
nurse? Answer: "I don't like hearing your threats, but tell me more
about your feelings."
◉An adult client confides to a clinic nurse, "I fantasize about having
sex with children, and I get the urge to do it, too." What is the most
appropriate response by the nurse? Answer: Asking the client,
"Have you ever acted on these thoughts?"
