1
NSG 322 EXAM /APPROVED NSG 322 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NURSING
FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 TEST BANK PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REAL EXAM ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
1. A nurse is beginning an assessment of an adult patient admitted to an
inpatient behavioral health unit for worsening depression. The patient
avoids eye contact, speaks quietly, and states, “I don't think anything will
ever get better.” Which response by the nurse best demonstrates
therapeutic communication and encourages further expression of the
patient's feelings?
A. “You should try to focus on the positive things happening in your life.”
B. “Your family would probably want you to feel more hopeful.”
C. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless about what is happening right
now.”
D. “Why do you believe that nothing will ever improve?”
Answer: C. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless about what is happening right
now.”
2. A patient tells the nurse, “My husband doesn't understand me, and nobody
really cares about what happens to me.” The patient becomes tearful while
discussing recent family conflict. Which response should the nurse use to
demonstrate empathy without minimizing the patient's experience?
A. “You sound as though you are feeling hurt and unsupported by your
family.”
B. “You should try talking with your husband about these concerns.”
C. “I'm sure your husband cares about you more than you realize.”
D. “Why do you think your family does not care about you?”
Answer: A. “You sound as though you are feeling hurt and unsupported by your
family.”
3. During a therapeutic conversation, a patient pauses for several seconds
after describing a painful experience and begins to cry. The nurse remains
,2
quietly present and allows the patient time to collect thoughts before
continuing. Which communication technique is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Focusing
B. Giving advice
C. Clarification
D. Therapeutic silence
Answer: D. Therapeutic silence
4. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The television
announcer is sending secret messages specifically to me through the
evening news.” Which response is most appropriate?
A. “Yes, television programs sometimes contain hidden messages.”
B. “I understand that the experience feels real to you, but I do not perceive
the television as sending you personal messages.”
C. “You should stop watching television because it is causing these
thoughts.”
D. “Why would a television announcer want to communicate with you?”
Answer: B. “I understand that the experience feels real to you, but I do not
perceive the television as sending you personal messages.”
5. A patient experiencing severe anxiety repeatedly asks the nurse whether
something terrible is going to happen and has difficulty concentrating on
instructions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize initially?
A. Provide lengthy explanations about the patient's diagnosis.
B. Encourage the patient to participate in a large group activity.
C. Use short, simple statements and remain with the patient while reducing
environmental stimulation.
D. Ask the patient to independently identify several long-term coping
strategies.
Answer: C. Use short, simple statements and remain with the patient while
reducing environmental stimulation.
,3
6. A patient admitted for major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “My family
would be better off without me.” Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Ask directly whether the patient is thinking about suicide and assess the
immediacy of the risk.
B. Encourage the patient to identify three positive qualities.
C. Tell the patient that suicide would permanently hurt the family.
D. Change the subject to a less distressing topic.
Answer: A. Ask directly whether the patient is thinking about suicide and assess
the immediacy of the risk.
7. A patient with depression reports feeling worthless and states, “I have been
thinking about killing myself, but I have not decided how.” Which finding
should cause the nurse to increase the level of suicide precautions?
A. The patient reports sleeping ten hours each night.
B. The patient expresses dissatisfaction with the hospital food.
C. The patient states that family members are visiting tomorrow.
D. The patient has developed a specific suicide plan and has access to the
intended means.
Answer: D. The patient has developed a specific suicide plan and has access to the
intended means.
8. A patient with major depressive disorder who recently expressed suicidal
thoughts suddenly appears cheerful and tells the nurse, “Everything is
finally fine now.” Which nursing response is most appropriate?
A. Discontinue suicide precautions because the patient's mood has
improved.
B. Continue careful suicide-risk assessment because a sudden improvement
can occur when a patient has decided to act on suicidal thoughts.
C. Encourage the patient to leave the unit for recreational activities.
D. Tell the patient that feeling cheerful proves the depression has resolved.
Answer: B. Continue careful suicide-risk assessment because a sudden
improvement can occur when a patient has decided to act on suicidal thoughts.
, 4
9. A patient experiencing mania has been awake for three nights, is
continuously pacing, interrupts other patients, and attempts to participate
in every activity on the unit. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment with clear limits and
opportunities for rest.
B. Encourage participation in several stimulating group activities.
C. Allow unlimited social interaction to promote expression.
D. Ask the patient to complete several detailed written assignments.
Answer: A. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment with clear limits and
opportunities for rest.
10. A patient experiencing an acute manic episode begins loudly arguing with
another patient and becomes increasingly agitated after several people
attempt to redirect the patient simultaneously. Which nursing intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Have several staff members confront the patient at the same time.
B. Allow the argument to continue so the patient can express feelings.
C. Reduce environmental stimulation and have one staff member provide
calm, clear directions.
D. Immediately place the patient in seclusion without attempting verbal de-
escalation.
Answer: C. Reduce environmental stimulation and have one staff member provide
calm, clear directions.
11. A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium for mood
stabilization. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for additional
teaching?
A. “I should maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium.”
B. “I need to drink adequate fluids unless my provider gives me different
instructions.”
C. “I should report significant vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration.”
D. “If I feel better, I can stop lithium abruptly without contacting my
provider.”
NSG 322 EXAM /APPROVED NSG 322 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NURSING
FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 TEST BANK PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REAL EXAM ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
1. A nurse is beginning an assessment of an adult patient admitted to an
inpatient behavioral health unit for worsening depression. The patient
avoids eye contact, speaks quietly, and states, “I don't think anything will
ever get better.” Which response by the nurse best demonstrates
therapeutic communication and encourages further expression of the
patient's feelings?
A. “You should try to focus on the positive things happening in your life.”
B. “Your family would probably want you to feel more hopeful.”
C. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless about what is happening right
now.”
D. “Why do you believe that nothing will ever improve?”
Answer: C. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless about what is happening right
now.”
2. A patient tells the nurse, “My husband doesn't understand me, and nobody
really cares about what happens to me.” The patient becomes tearful while
discussing recent family conflict. Which response should the nurse use to
demonstrate empathy without minimizing the patient's experience?
A. “You sound as though you are feeling hurt and unsupported by your
family.”
B. “You should try talking with your husband about these concerns.”
C. “I'm sure your husband cares about you more than you realize.”
D. “Why do you think your family does not care about you?”
Answer: A. “You sound as though you are feeling hurt and unsupported by your
family.”
3. During a therapeutic conversation, a patient pauses for several seconds
after describing a painful experience and begins to cry. The nurse remains
,2
quietly present and allows the patient time to collect thoughts before
continuing. Which communication technique is the nurse demonstrating?
A. Focusing
B. Giving advice
C. Clarification
D. Therapeutic silence
Answer: D. Therapeutic silence
4. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The television
announcer is sending secret messages specifically to me through the
evening news.” Which response is most appropriate?
A. “Yes, television programs sometimes contain hidden messages.”
B. “I understand that the experience feels real to you, but I do not perceive
the television as sending you personal messages.”
C. “You should stop watching television because it is causing these
thoughts.”
D. “Why would a television announcer want to communicate with you?”
Answer: B. “I understand that the experience feels real to you, but I do not
perceive the television as sending you personal messages.”
5. A patient experiencing severe anxiety repeatedly asks the nurse whether
something terrible is going to happen and has difficulty concentrating on
instructions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize initially?
A. Provide lengthy explanations about the patient's diagnosis.
B. Encourage the patient to participate in a large group activity.
C. Use short, simple statements and remain with the patient while reducing
environmental stimulation.
D. Ask the patient to independently identify several long-term coping
strategies.
Answer: C. Use short, simple statements and remain with the patient while
reducing environmental stimulation.
,3
6. A patient admitted for major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “My family
would be better off without me.” Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Ask directly whether the patient is thinking about suicide and assess the
immediacy of the risk.
B. Encourage the patient to identify three positive qualities.
C. Tell the patient that suicide would permanently hurt the family.
D. Change the subject to a less distressing topic.
Answer: A. Ask directly whether the patient is thinking about suicide and assess
the immediacy of the risk.
7. A patient with depression reports feeling worthless and states, “I have been
thinking about killing myself, but I have not decided how.” Which finding
should cause the nurse to increase the level of suicide precautions?
A. The patient reports sleeping ten hours each night.
B. The patient expresses dissatisfaction with the hospital food.
C. The patient states that family members are visiting tomorrow.
D. The patient has developed a specific suicide plan and has access to the
intended means.
Answer: D. The patient has developed a specific suicide plan and has access to the
intended means.
8. A patient with major depressive disorder who recently expressed suicidal
thoughts suddenly appears cheerful and tells the nurse, “Everything is
finally fine now.” Which nursing response is most appropriate?
A. Discontinue suicide precautions because the patient's mood has
improved.
B. Continue careful suicide-risk assessment because a sudden improvement
can occur when a patient has decided to act on suicidal thoughts.
C. Encourage the patient to leave the unit for recreational activities.
D. Tell the patient that feeling cheerful proves the depression has resolved.
Answer: B. Continue careful suicide-risk assessment because a sudden
improvement can occur when a patient has decided to act on suicidal thoughts.
, 4
9. A patient experiencing mania has been awake for three nights, is
continuously pacing, interrupts other patients, and attempts to participate
in every activity on the unit. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment with clear limits and
opportunities for rest.
B. Encourage participation in several stimulating group activities.
C. Allow unlimited social interaction to promote expression.
D. Ask the patient to complete several detailed written assignments.
Answer: A. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment with clear limits and
opportunities for rest.
10. A patient experiencing an acute manic episode begins loudly arguing with
another patient and becomes increasingly agitated after several people
attempt to redirect the patient simultaneously. Which nursing intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Have several staff members confront the patient at the same time.
B. Allow the argument to continue so the patient can express feelings.
C. Reduce environmental stimulation and have one staff member provide
calm, clear directions.
D. Immediately place the patient in seclusion without attempting verbal de-
escalation.
Answer: C. Reduce environmental stimulation and have one staff member provide
calm, clear directions.
11. A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium for mood
stabilization. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for additional
teaching?
A. “I should maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium.”
B. “I need to drink adequate fluids unless my provider gives me different
instructions.”
C. “I should report significant vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration.”
D. “If I feel better, I can stop lithium abruptly without contacting my
provider.”
