PAPER N19: NCLEX MENTAL
HEALTH
Title: NCLEX Mental Health Exam: 30
Practice Questions with Rationales
Keywords: Mental health nursing, psychiatric
nursing, NCLEX mental health, psych nursing,
nursing practice questions, NCLEX prep
,Questions
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive
disorder. Which finding is most characteristic? A) Elevated
mood B) Anhedonia C) Pressured speech D) Grandiose
delusions
Explanation: Anhedonia (loss of interest in pleasurable
activities) is a hallmark symptom of major depressive disorder.
Elevated mood and pressured speech are more characteristic of
mania.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. Which
symptom is a positive symptom? A) Flat affect B)
Hallucinations C) Alogia D) Avolition
, Explanation: Hallucinations are positive symptoms (excesses) of
schizophrenia. Flat affect, alogia, and avolition are negative
symptoms (deficits).
3. A nurse is caring for a client with panic disorder. Which
finding is most characteristic? A) Persistent worry about
multiple events B) Sudden, intense fear with physical
symptoms C) Repetitive behaviors D) Fear of social
situations
Explanation: Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, intense
fear with physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and
shortness of breath.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with OCD. Which finding is
most characteristic? A) Intrusive thoughts and repetitive
behaviors B) Excessive worry about health C) Fear of
social situations D) Persistent depressive symptoms
HEALTH
Title: NCLEX Mental Health Exam: 30
Practice Questions with Rationales
Keywords: Mental health nursing, psychiatric
nursing, NCLEX mental health, psych nursing,
nursing practice questions, NCLEX prep
,Questions
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive
disorder. Which finding is most characteristic? A) Elevated
mood B) Anhedonia C) Pressured speech D) Grandiose
delusions
Explanation: Anhedonia (loss of interest in pleasurable
activities) is a hallmark symptom of major depressive disorder.
Elevated mood and pressured speech are more characteristic of
mania.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. Which
symptom is a positive symptom? A) Flat affect B)
Hallucinations C) Alogia D) Avolition
, Explanation: Hallucinations are positive symptoms (excesses) of
schizophrenia. Flat affect, alogia, and avolition are negative
symptoms (deficits).
3. A nurse is caring for a client with panic disorder. Which
finding is most characteristic? A) Persistent worry about
multiple events B) Sudden, intense fear with physical
symptoms C) Repetitive behaviors D) Fear of social
situations
Explanation: Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, intense
fear with physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and
shortness of breath.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with OCD. Which finding is
most characteristic? A) Intrusive thoughts and repetitive
behaviors B) Excessive worry about health C) Fear of
social situations D) Persistent depressive symptoms
