Chamberlain Mental
Health Nursing
Exam 2026 — Practice Questions
Format: NCLEX-style multiple choice with rationales | Focus: NR-326 Mental Health
Nursing
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is explaining the concept of mental health to a group of nursing students.
Which statement best defines mental health?
A. The absence of all psychiatric symptoms
B. Successful adaptation to stressors in the internal and external environment
C. Complete freedom from anxiety and depression
D. The ability to function without medication
Rationale: Mental health is best defined as the successful adaptation to stressors from
the internal and external environment, enabling productive activities, fulfilling
relationships, and coping with adversity. The absence of symptoms does not guarantee
mental health .
,Question 2
A psychiatric nurse intern states, "This client's use of defense mechanisms should be
eliminated." Which is a correct evaluation of this nurse's statement?
A. Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to stress and need not be
eliminated
B. Defense mechanisms are a maladaptive attempt of the ego to manage anxiety and
should always be eliminated
C. Defense mechanisms, used by individuals with weak ego integrity, should be
discouraged and not eliminated
D. Defense mechanisms cause disintegration of the ego and should be fostered and
encouraged
Rationale: Defense mechanisms can be appropriate during times of stress. The client
with no defense mechanisms may have a lower tolerance for stress, leading to anxiety
disorders. Defense mechanisms should be confronted only when they impede healthy
coping .
Question 3
A nurse is using the 'SOLER' acronym to demonstrate active listening. What does the 'E'
in SOLER stand for?
A. Empathize with the client.
B. Explain the procedures clearly.
C. Eye contact should be maintained.
D. Examine the client's nonverbal cues.
Rationale: SOLER stands for: Sit squarely facing the client, Open posture, Lean
forward, Eye contact, and Relax. Maintaining eye contact demonstrates active listening
and engagement .
Section 2: Therapeutic Communication
,Question 4
A client tells the nurse, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the nurse use
to clarify the client's comment?
A. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
B. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
C. "So you're saying you feel emotionally drained after your dream?"
D. "That must have been a frightening experience for you."
Rationale: Clarification involves asking the client to restate or explain what was said.
Restating the main idea ("It sounds as though you were uncomfortable") helps the nurse
verify understanding without introducing personal bias .
Question 5
A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is depressed. Which
statement by the nurse is an example of the technique of 'reflecting'?
A. "Why do you feel that you cannot leave the house today?"
B. "What do you think you should do about your current situation?"
C. "You are saying that you feel like life is no longer worth living?"
D. "I noticed that you seem very sad when you talk about your mother."
Rationale: Reflecting directs the client's questions or feelings back to the client so they
may recognize and accept them. This encourages self-exploration and promotes self-
reliance in decision-making .
Question 6
Which is an example of a non-therapeutic communication technique?
A. Active listening
B. Offering false reassurance
, C. Clarifying
D. Summarizing
Rationale: False reassurance, such as saying "Everything will be fine," dismisses the
client's feelings and closes off communication. It is non-therapeutic because it does not
validate the client's experience .
Question 7
When a nurse asks a client, "What brings you to the hospital today?", they are using
which type of communication?
A. Closed-ended question
B. Clarification technique
C. Open-ended question
D. Probing statement
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to share thoughts and feelings
in their own words without being restricted by "yes" or "no" answers. This facilitates a
deeper understanding of the client's perspective .
Section 3: Defense Mechanisms
Question 8
A client with schizophrenia becomes angry and yells at another peer. The client later
tells the nurse, "He's the one who is angry, not me." This is an example of:
A. Rationalization
B. Reaction Formation
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
Health Nursing
Exam 2026 — Practice Questions
Format: NCLEX-style multiple choice with rationales | Focus: NR-326 Mental Health
Nursing
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is explaining the concept of mental health to a group of nursing students.
Which statement best defines mental health?
A. The absence of all psychiatric symptoms
B. Successful adaptation to stressors in the internal and external environment
C. Complete freedom from anxiety and depression
D. The ability to function without medication
Rationale: Mental health is best defined as the successful adaptation to stressors from
the internal and external environment, enabling productive activities, fulfilling
relationships, and coping with adversity. The absence of symptoms does not guarantee
mental health .
,Question 2
A psychiatric nurse intern states, "This client's use of defense mechanisms should be
eliminated." Which is a correct evaluation of this nurse's statement?
A. Defense mechanisms can be appropriate responses to stress and need not be
eliminated
B. Defense mechanisms are a maladaptive attempt of the ego to manage anxiety and
should always be eliminated
C. Defense mechanisms, used by individuals with weak ego integrity, should be
discouraged and not eliminated
D. Defense mechanisms cause disintegration of the ego and should be fostered and
encouraged
Rationale: Defense mechanisms can be appropriate during times of stress. The client
with no defense mechanisms may have a lower tolerance for stress, leading to anxiety
disorders. Defense mechanisms should be confronted only when they impede healthy
coping .
Question 3
A nurse is using the 'SOLER' acronym to demonstrate active listening. What does the 'E'
in SOLER stand for?
A. Empathize with the client.
B. Explain the procedures clearly.
C. Eye contact should be maintained.
D. Examine the client's nonverbal cues.
Rationale: SOLER stands for: Sit squarely facing the client, Open posture, Lean
forward, Eye contact, and Relax. Maintaining eye contact demonstrates active listening
and engagement .
Section 2: Therapeutic Communication
,Question 4
A client tells the nurse, "I dreamed I was stoned. When I woke up, I felt emotionally
drained, as though I hadn't rested well." Which response should the nurse use
to clarify the client's comment?
A. "It sounds as though you were uncomfortable with the content of your dream."
B. "I understand what you're saying. Bad dreams leave me feeling tired, too."
C. "So you're saying you feel emotionally drained after your dream?"
D. "That must have been a frightening experience for you."
Rationale: Clarification involves asking the client to restate or explain what was said.
Restating the main idea ("It sounds as though you were uncomfortable") helps the nurse
verify understanding without introducing personal bias .
Question 5
A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is depressed. Which
statement by the nurse is an example of the technique of 'reflecting'?
A. "Why do you feel that you cannot leave the house today?"
B. "What do you think you should do about your current situation?"
C. "You are saying that you feel like life is no longer worth living?"
D. "I noticed that you seem very sad when you talk about your mother."
Rationale: Reflecting directs the client's questions or feelings back to the client so they
may recognize and accept them. This encourages self-exploration and promotes self-
reliance in decision-making .
Question 6
Which is an example of a non-therapeutic communication technique?
A. Active listening
B. Offering false reassurance
, C. Clarifying
D. Summarizing
Rationale: False reassurance, such as saying "Everything will be fine," dismisses the
client's feelings and closes off communication. It is non-therapeutic because it does not
validate the client's experience .
Question 7
When a nurse asks a client, "What brings you to the hospital today?", they are using
which type of communication?
A. Closed-ended question
B. Clarification technique
C. Open-ended question
D. Probing statement
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to share thoughts and feelings
in their own words without being restricted by "yes" or "no" answers. This facilitates a
deeper understanding of the client's perspective .
Section 3: Defense Mechanisms
Question 8
A client with schizophrenia becomes angry and yells at another peer. The client later
tells the nurse, "He's the one who is angry, not me." This is an example of:
A. Rationalization
B. Reaction Formation
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
