Mental Health Nursing Exam PRACTICE TEST
2026 | QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS STUDY GUIDE LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each of the following questions.
,1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking haloperidol for schizophrenia. The client presents with muscle rigidity,
fever, and an altered level of consciousness. Which of the following complications should the nurse suspect?
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Acute dystonia
C) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
D) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a rare but life-threatening complication of antipsychotic medications. Its hallmark symptoms are the
"triad" of muscle rigidity, high fever, and altered mental status (often with autonomic instability).
2. A client with major depressive disorder is started on sertraline. The nurse should instruct the client that it may take how
long to experience the full therapeutic effect?
A) 24-48 hours
B) 1 week
,C) 2-4 weeks
D) 3-6 months
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline typically take 2-4 weeks (and sometimes up to 6-8 weeks) to reach their full therapeutic
effect. It is crucial for clients to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if they don't feel immediate
improvement.
3. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A) Encourage the client to talk about their feelings.
B) Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam.
C) Stay with the client and provide a calm, quiet environment.
D) Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority during an acute panic attack is safety and reducing the client's anxiety. Staying with the client and
providing a calm, non-stimulating environment helps the client feel safe and can help de-escalate the attack. Teaching
deep breathing is important, but the immediate priority is presence and safety.
, 4. A client is admitted with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following lab values should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa are at high risk for electrolyte imbalances due to starvation and purging
behaviors. Hypokalemia is a common and dangerous complication that can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a manic phase. Which of the following behaviors should the
nurse expect?
A) Psychomotor retardation
B) Anhedonia
C) Grandiose delusions
D) Social withdrawal
2026 | QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS STUDY GUIDE LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Mental Health Nursing Practice Exam
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each of the following questions.
,1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking haloperidol for schizophrenia. The client presents with muscle rigidity,
fever, and an altered level of consciousness. Which of the following complications should the nurse suspect?
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Acute dystonia
C) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
D) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a rare but life-threatening complication of antipsychotic medications. Its hallmark symptoms are the
"triad" of muscle rigidity, high fever, and altered mental status (often with autonomic instability).
2. A client with major depressive disorder is started on sertraline. The nurse should instruct the client that it may take how
long to experience the full therapeutic effect?
A) 24-48 hours
B) 1 week
,C) 2-4 weeks
D) 3-6 months
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline typically take 2-4 weeks (and sometimes up to 6-8 weeks) to reach their full therapeutic
effect. It is crucial for clients to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if they don't feel immediate
improvement.
3. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A) Encourage the client to talk about their feelings.
B) Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam.
C) Stay with the client and provide a calm, quiet environment.
D) Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority during an acute panic attack is safety and reducing the client's anxiety. Staying with the client and
providing a calm, non-stimulating environment helps the client feel safe and can help de-escalate the attack. Teaching
deep breathing is important, but the immediate priority is presence and safety.
, 4. A client is admitted with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following lab values should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa are at high risk for electrolyte imbalances due to starvation and purging
behaviors. Hypokalemia is a common and dangerous complication that can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a manic phase. Which of the following behaviors should the
nurse expect?
A) Psychomotor retardation
B) Anhedonia
C) Grandiose delusions
D) Social withdrawal
