NU350 Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam 2026 |
Chamberlain University Nursing | 50+ Questions with
Clinical Judgment Rationales
Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam 2026
Question 1
A patient is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit after experiencing severe
anxiety. The patient states, “I feel like something terrible is about to happen, and I
cannot calm down.” Assessment findings include rapid breathing, increased heart
rate, trembling hands, and difficulty focusing on questions from the nurse. Which
nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Ask the patient to identify childhood experiences that contributed to anxiety
B. Teach the patient slow breathing and grounding techniques
C. Encourage the patient to attend a group therapy session
D. Provide extensive education about anxiety medications
Correct Answer✅: B. Teach the patient slow breathing and grounding
techniques
Rationale:
The patient is experiencing severe anxiety with physiological symptoms that
interfere with concentration and the ability to process information. The priority
nursing intervention is to reduce immediate anxiety through simple, supportive
,techniques such as controlled breathing and grounding exercises. Exploring past
experiences may be appropriate during later therapy sessions but is not the
immediate priority. Group therapy and detailed medication education require
greater cognitive ability and should occur after anxiety symptoms have decreased.
Question 2
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “Everyone
would be better off if I disappeared. I have been thinking about ending my life.”
The patient reports having access to a firearm at home. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Ask directly about suicidal intent, plan, and access to means
B. Encourage the patient to focus on positive memories
C. Explain how suicide would affect family members
D. Ask the patient to promise not to harm themselves
Correct Answer✅: A. Ask directly about suicidal intent, plan, and access to
means
Rationale:
A patient expressing suicidal thoughts requires immediate assessment of suicide
risk, including intent, specific plans, and access to lethal methods. Direct
questioning about suicide is a safe and necessary nursing action that helps
determine the level of intervention required. Encouraging positive thinking or
discussing family impact may feel dismissive and does not establish safety. A
verbal promise not to self-harm is not a reliable safety intervention.
,Question 3
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is receiving haloperidol. During a
medication assessment, the patient reports jaw tightness, muscle stiffness, and
difficulty controlling movements. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose because these symptoms indicate medication
effectiveness
B. Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms and notify the healthcare provider
C. Encourage the patient to exercise more frequently
D. Tell the patient to stop taking the medication immediately
Correct Answer✅: B. Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms and notify the
healthcare provider
Rationale:
Muscle rigidity, jaw stiffness, and uncontrolled movements are signs of
extrapyramidal symptoms caused by dopamine-blocking antipsychotics such as
haloperidol. The nurse should assess the severity of symptoms and notify the
provider because treatment adjustments may be necessary. These findings are not
signs of therapeutic improvement. Patients should not independently discontinue
psychiatric medications because abrupt stopping may worsen symptoms or cause
relapse.
Question 4
A patient reports experiencing excessive worry about finances, work performance,
relationships, and future events almost every day. The patient states, “I know my
worrying is excessive, but I cannot control it.” Symptoms have continued for
, several months and interfere with daily activities. Which disorder is most
consistent with these findings?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Post-traumatic stress disorder
D. Specific phobia
Correct Answer✅: B. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale:
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry
about multiple areas of life that is difficult to control and causes functional
impairment. Panic disorder involves unexpected panic attacks, while post-
traumatic stress disorder occurs following exposure to trauma with symptoms such
as flashbacks and avoidance. A specific phobia involves intense fear related to a
particular object or situation. The broad pattern of uncontrollable worry supports
generalized anxiety disorder.
Question 5
A patient experiencing a manic episode is pacing around the psychiatric unit,
speaking rapidly, interrupting conversations, and stating, “I have unlimited energy
and do not need sleep.” Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Provide a calm environment with minimal stimulation
B. Encourage participation in multiple group activities
C. Challenge unrealistic statements immediately
D. Allow unlimited activity until the patient becomes tired
Chamberlain University Nursing | 50+ Questions with
Clinical Judgment Rationales
Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam 2026
Question 1
A patient is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit after experiencing severe
anxiety. The patient states, “I feel like something terrible is about to happen, and I
cannot calm down.” Assessment findings include rapid breathing, increased heart
rate, trembling hands, and difficulty focusing on questions from the nurse. Which
nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Ask the patient to identify childhood experiences that contributed to anxiety
B. Teach the patient slow breathing and grounding techniques
C. Encourage the patient to attend a group therapy session
D. Provide extensive education about anxiety medications
Correct Answer✅: B. Teach the patient slow breathing and grounding
techniques
Rationale:
The patient is experiencing severe anxiety with physiological symptoms that
interfere with concentration and the ability to process information. The priority
nursing intervention is to reduce immediate anxiety through simple, supportive
,techniques such as controlled breathing and grounding exercises. Exploring past
experiences may be appropriate during later therapy sessions but is not the
immediate priority. Group therapy and detailed medication education require
greater cognitive ability and should occur after anxiety symptoms have decreased.
Question 2
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “Everyone
would be better off if I disappeared. I have been thinking about ending my life.”
The patient reports having access to a firearm at home. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Ask directly about suicidal intent, plan, and access to means
B. Encourage the patient to focus on positive memories
C. Explain how suicide would affect family members
D. Ask the patient to promise not to harm themselves
Correct Answer✅: A. Ask directly about suicidal intent, plan, and access to
means
Rationale:
A patient expressing suicidal thoughts requires immediate assessment of suicide
risk, including intent, specific plans, and access to lethal methods. Direct
questioning about suicide is a safe and necessary nursing action that helps
determine the level of intervention required. Encouraging positive thinking or
discussing family impact may feel dismissive and does not establish safety. A
verbal promise not to self-harm is not a reliable safety intervention.
,Question 3
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is receiving haloperidol. During a
medication assessment, the patient reports jaw tightness, muscle stiffness, and
difficulty controlling movements. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose because these symptoms indicate medication
effectiveness
B. Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms and notify the healthcare provider
C. Encourage the patient to exercise more frequently
D. Tell the patient to stop taking the medication immediately
Correct Answer✅: B. Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms and notify the
healthcare provider
Rationale:
Muscle rigidity, jaw stiffness, and uncontrolled movements are signs of
extrapyramidal symptoms caused by dopamine-blocking antipsychotics such as
haloperidol. The nurse should assess the severity of symptoms and notify the
provider because treatment adjustments may be necessary. These findings are not
signs of therapeutic improvement. Patients should not independently discontinue
psychiatric medications because abrupt stopping may worsen symptoms or cause
relapse.
Question 4
A patient reports experiencing excessive worry about finances, work performance,
relationships, and future events almost every day. The patient states, “I know my
worrying is excessive, but I cannot control it.” Symptoms have continued for
, several months and interfere with daily activities. Which disorder is most
consistent with these findings?
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Post-traumatic stress disorder
D. Specific phobia
Correct Answer✅: B. Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale:
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry
about multiple areas of life that is difficult to control and causes functional
impairment. Panic disorder involves unexpected panic attacks, while post-
traumatic stress disorder occurs following exposure to trauma with symptoms such
as flashbacks and avoidance. A specific phobia involves intense fear related to a
particular object or situation. The broad pattern of uncontrollable worry supports
generalized anxiety disorder.
Question 5
A patient experiencing a manic episode is pacing around the psychiatric unit,
speaking rapidly, interrupting conversations, and stating, “I have unlimited energy
and do not need sleep.” Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Provide a calm environment with minimal stimulation
B. Encourage participation in multiple group activities
C. Challenge unrealistic statements immediately
D. Allow unlimited activity until the patient becomes tired
