LPN/LVN Mental Health & Therapeutic Communication (2026/2027
Update) |SBON
1. A patient experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. Which nursing
action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to explain what triggered the attack
B. Instruct the patient to breathe into a paper bag or cupped hands
C. Leave the patient alone to provide privacy and reduce stimuli
D. Administer an immediate dose of a stimulant medication
Answer: B
Rationale: In a panic attack, the immediate physiological need is to stabilize breathing.
Breathing into a paper bag helps increase CO2 levels. Asking ‘why’ or leaving the patient
alone is not therapeutic during the acute phase.
2. A nurse is communicating with a client who is depressed. Which statement is
a therapeutic communication technique?
A. ‘I noticed you combed your hair today.’
B. ‘Why do you feel so sad today?’
C. ‘Everything will be better tomorrow, don’t worry.’
D. ‘You should try to be more positive for your family.’
Answer: A
Rationale: ‘I noticed…’ is the technique of ‘Giving Recognition.’ It acknowledges the client
without being judgmental. ‘Why’ questions and false reassurances are non-therapeutic.
,3. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. Which
laboratory value should the LPN/LVN report to the RN immediately?
A. Serum Lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Serum Lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L
C. Serum Lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L
D. Serum Lithium level of 0.6 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. A level of 1.8 mEq/L
indicates toxicity and requires immediate intervention.
4. A client with Schizophrenia says, ‘The government has planted a chip in my
brain to track me.’ This is an example of:
A. A hallucination
B. A delusion of grandeur
C. A delusion of persecution
D. Ideas of reference
Answer: C
Rationale: A delusion of persecution is a false belief that one is being singled out for harm
or followed. Hallucinations involve sensory perceptions without external stimuli.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning for a client starting an SSRI
(Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)?
A. Mild nausea and dry mouth
B. Weight gain of 2 lbs over a month
C. Increased energy without a decrease in suicidal ideation
D. Drowsiness in the late afternoon
Answer: C
Rationale: When energy levels increase but mood remains low, the risk of suicide
increases because the patient now has the physical energy to carry out a plan.
, 6. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder is ‘splitting’ staff members.
How should the nursing team respond?
A. Maintain consistent boundaries and communicate frequently as a team
B. Avoid talking to each other about the patient’s comments
C. Allow the patient to choose which nurse they prefer
D. Assign the most experienced nurse to work alone with the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting involves pitting staff against each other. Consistent boundaries and
open team communication prevent the patient from manipulating the care environment.
7. A client is being treated for Alcohol Withdrawal. Which vitamin is typically
administered to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Answer: D
Rationale: Thiamine deficiency is common in chronic alcoholism and can lead to
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurological condition.
8. The nurse is caring for a client with Anorexia Nervosa. Which intervention is a
priority during mealtime?
A. Allowing the client to eat alone to reduce anxiety
B. Discussing the caloric content of the food during the meal
C. Observing the client for 1 to 2 hours after meals
D. Forcing the client to finish all food on the tray
Answer: C
Rationale: Monitoring after meals is critical to prevent purging behaviors (vomiting or
hiding food). Eating alone allows for dishonest behavior regarding intake.
Update) |SBON
1. A patient experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. Which nursing
action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient to explain what triggered the attack
B. Instruct the patient to breathe into a paper bag or cupped hands
C. Leave the patient alone to provide privacy and reduce stimuli
D. Administer an immediate dose of a stimulant medication
Answer: B
Rationale: In a panic attack, the immediate physiological need is to stabilize breathing.
Breathing into a paper bag helps increase CO2 levels. Asking ‘why’ or leaving the patient
alone is not therapeutic during the acute phase.
2. A nurse is communicating with a client who is depressed. Which statement is
a therapeutic communication technique?
A. ‘I noticed you combed your hair today.’
B. ‘Why do you feel so sad today?’
C. ‘Everything will be better tomorrow, don’t worry.’
D. ‘You should try to be more positive for your family.’
Answer: A
Rationale: ‘I noticed…’ is the technique of ‘Giving Recognition.’ It acknowledges the client
without being judgmental. ‘Why’ questions and false reassurances are non-therapeutic.
,3. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. Which
laboratory value should the LPN/LVN report to the RN immediately?
A. Serum Lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Serum Lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L
C. Serum Lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L
D. Serum Lithium level of 0.6 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. A level of 1.8 mEq/L
indicates toxicity and requires immediate intervention.
4. A client with Schizophrenia says, ‘The government has planted a chip in my
brain to track me.’ This is an example of:
A. A hallucination
B. A delusion of grandeur
C. A delusion of persecution
D. Ideas of reference
Answer: C
Rationale: A delusion of persecution is a false belief that one is being singled out for harm
or followed. Hallucinations involve sensory perceptions without external stimuli.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning for a client starting an SSRI
(Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)?
A. Mild nausea and dry mouth
B. Weight gain of 2 lbs over a month
C. Increased energy without a decrease in suicidal ideation
D. Drowsiness in the late afternoon
Answer: C
Rationale: When energy levels increase but mood remains low, the risk of suicide
increases because the patient now has the physical energy to carry out a plan.
, 6. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder is ‘splitting’ staff members.
How should the nursing team respond?
A. Maintain consistent boundaries and communicate frequently as a team
B. Avoid talking to each other about the patient’s comments
C. Allow the patient to choose which nurse they prefer
D. Assign the most experienced nurse to work alone with the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting involves pitting staff against each other. Consistent boundaries and
open team communication prevent the patient from manipulating the care environment.
7. A client is being treated for Alcohol Withdrawal. Which vitamin is typically
administered to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Answer: D
Rationale: Thiamine deficiency is common in chronic alcoholism and can lead to
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurological condition.
8. The nurse is caring for a client with Anorexia Nervosa. Which intervention is a
priority during mealtime?
A. Allowing the client to eat alone to reduce anxiety
B. Discussing the caloric content of the food during the meal
C. Observing the client for 1 to 2 hours after meals
D. Forcing the client to finish all food on the tray
Answer: C
Rationale: Monitoring after meals is critical to prevent purging behaviors (vomiting or
hiding food). Eating alone allows for dishonest behavior regarding intake.
