NSG 524
EXAM 1
(Mental Health Nursing)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(NCLEX (NGN) style Questions)
Herzing University
What you Will Get:
• 46 verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Question 1. A client hospitalized for major depressive disorder following a
suicide attempt tells the nurse, “I should have died. I’ve always been a failure.
Nothing ever goes right for me.” Which response by the nurse is most
therapeutic?
A. “You have many things in your life worth living for.”
B. “Why do you believe that you are a failure?”
C. “Those feelings are simply part of being depressed.”
D. “You’ve been feeling like a failure for quite some time?”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The nurse uses reflection and encourages the client to continue expressing feelings.
This response acknowledges the client’s perception without agreeing with the hopeless
statement and promotes further assessment of depressive thinking and suicide risk.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Provides false reassurance and may minimize the client’s emotional pain.
Option B: Asking “why” can make the client feel defensive or pressured to justify
feelings.
Option C: Labels the client’s experience rather than encouraging further
communication.
Question 2. During a home visit, a client tells the nurse, “I haven’t slept at all for
the last two nights.” Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. “I see.”
B. “Really?”
C. “You’re having difficulty sleeping?”
D. “Sometimes I have trouble sleeping too.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Restating the client’s concern demonstrates active listening and gives the client an
opportunity to elaborate on sleep difficulties.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Is vague and does little to encourage further discussion.
Option B: May sound judgmental or express disbelief.
Option D: Shifts attention from the client to the nurse through unnecessary self-
disclosure.
, Question 3. A client experiencing paranoid thought processes believes that
hospital food is being poisoned. Which nursing communication technique is
most appropriate when encouraging the client to discuss eating?
A. Use open-ended questions and therapeutic silence.
B. Share the nurse’s personal food preferences.
C. Document that the client refuses meals without further intervention.
D. Explain the nurse’s opinion regarding why adequate nutrition is necessary.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Open-ended questions and silence allow the client to describe fears without the nurse
challenging or reinforcing the delusion. This approach also helps identify concerns
affecting nutritional intake.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Nurse self-disclosure does not address the client’s fear.
Option C: Documentation is required but is not an adequate therapeutic intervention.
Option D: Giving opinions may increase defensiveness and does not explore the
client’s perception.
Question 4. A client voluntarily admitted for treatment of severe anxiety tells the
nurse, “I want to leave the hospital now.” Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the client’s health care provider.
B. Call the client’s family to arrange transportation.
C. Persuade the client to remain hospitalized for several more days.
D. Tell the client that requesting discharge may result in involuntary commitment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A voluntarily admitted client generally retains the right to request discharge. The nurse
should notify the provider and initiate the facility’s discharge-request and safety-
evaluation process.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Transportation arrangements occur only after the appropriate discharge
evaluation.
Option C: The nurse should not coerce the client into remaining.
EXAM 1
(Mental Health Nursing)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(NCLEX (NGN) style Questions)
Herzing University
What you Will Get:
• 46 verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Question 1. A client hospitalized for major depressive disorder following a
suicide attempt tells the nurse, “I should have died. I’ve always been a failure.
Nothing ever goes right for me.” Which response by the nurse is most
therapeutic?
A. “You have many things in your life worth living for.”
B. “Why do you believe that you are a failure?”
C. “Those feelings are simply part of being depressed.”
D. “You’ve been feeling like a failure for quite some time?”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The nurse uses reflection and encourages the client to continue expressing feelings.
This response acknowledges the client’s perception without agreeing with the hopeless
statement and promotes further assessment of depressive thinking and suicide risk.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Provides false reassurance and may minimize the client’s emotional pain.
Option B: Asking “why” can make the client feel defensive or pressured to justify
feelings.
Option C: Labels the client’s experience rather than encouraging further
communication.
Question 2. During a home visit, a client tells the nurse, “I haven’t slept at all for
the last two nights.” Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. “I see.”
B. “Really?”
C. “You’re having difficulty sleeping?”
D. “Sometimes I have trouble sleeping too.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Restating the client’s concern demonstrates active listening and gives the client an
opportunity to elaborate on sleep difficulties.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Is vague and does little to encourage further discussion.
Option B: May sound judgmental or express disbelief.
Option D: Shifts attention from the client to the nurse through unnecessary self-
disclosure.
, Question 3. A client experiencing paranoid thought processes believes that
hospital food is being poisoned. Which nursing communication technique is
most appropriate when encouraging the client to discuss eating?
A. Use open-ended questions and therapeutic silence.
B. Share the nurse’s personal food preferences.
C. Document that the client refuses meals without further intervention.
D. Explain the nurse’s opinion regarding why adequate nutrition is necessary.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Open-ended questions and silence allow the client to describe fears without the nurse
challenging or reinforcing the delusion. This approach also helps identify concerns
affecting nutritional intake.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Nurse self-disclosure does not address the client’s fear.
Option C: Documentation is required but is not an adequate therapeutic intervention.
Option D: Giving opinions may increase defensiveness and does not explore the
client’s perception.
Question 4. A client voluntarily admitted for treatment of severe anxiety tells the
nurse, “I want to leave the hospital now.” Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the client’s health care provider.
B. Call the client’s family to arrange transportation.
C. Persuade the client to remain hospitalized for several more days.
D. Tell the client that requesting discharge may result in involuntary commitment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A voluntarily admitted client generally retains the right to request discharge. The nurse
should notify the provider and initiate the facility’s discharge-request and safety-
evaluation process.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Transportation arrangements occur only after the appropriate discharge
evaluation.
Option C: The nurse should not coerce the client into remaining.
