NR 326 EXAM 1 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING COMPLETE MASTERY GUIDE
2025–2026 | QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS | ALREADY GRADED A+ |
100% VERIFIED
Mental Health Nursing | Key Domains: Psychiatric Assessment, Therapeutic
Communication, Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Substance Use, Crisis
Intervention, Psychopharmacology, Patient Safety, and Evidence-Based Nursing
Interventions | Expert-Verified Format & Structure | Exam-Ready
Introduction
This 2025–2026 NR 326 Exam 1 Mental Health Nursing Mastery Guide format provides the
full structural layout for generating validated exam content with correct answers. It
emphasizes safe, therapeutic, and evidence-based mental health nursing practices,
prioritization, clinical judgment, and patient-centered care. All content created using this
format supports mastery-level understanding and advanced mental health nursing
competencies.
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold green, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining clinical reasoning, patient-safety priorities, and why alternative options are less
appropriate.
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–15)
1. A patient states, “I’m worthless and no one cares.” The nurse’s best response
is:
a) “Don’t say that—you have family.”
b) “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
c) “You feel unloved and hopeless right now?”
d) “Cheer up, it will get better.”
Rationale: Reflection validates feelings and encourages further expression.
2. Which question is most appropriate during a mental health assessment?
a) “Why are you acting like this?”
b) “You’re not thinking of suicide, are you?”
c) “Have you had thoughts of harming yourself?”
d) “You’re not crazy, right?”
Rationale: Direct, non-judgmental questions about suicide are essential.
3. A patient becomes aggressive. The nurse’s first action is:
a) Call security immediately
b) Restrain the patient
c) Maintain a calm demeanor and ensure personal safety
d) Argue with the patient
Rationale: De-escalation begins with calm, non-threatening behavior.
4. A patient is silent for several minutes. The nurse should:
a) Ask another question
b) Leave the room
c) Allow silence and remain present
d) Fill the silence with small talk
Rationale: Silence can be therapeutic; presence shows acceptance.
, 5. A patient says, “I don’t want to take these meds anymore.” The nurse
responds:
a) “You have to take them.”
b) “The doctor knows best.”
c) “Tell me more about your concerns with the medication.”
d) “You’ll get sick if you stop.”
Rationale: Open-ended exploration fosters trust and adherence.
6. Which is a non-therapeutic response?
a) Paraphrasing
b) Reflecting
c) Giving false reassurance
d) Clarifying
Rationale: False reassurance blocks communication and invalidates feelings.
7. A patient is hallucinating. The nurse should:
a) Argue that the voices are not real
b) Ignore the hallucination
c) Acknowledge the patient’s experience and focus on reality
d) Agree with the hallucination
Rationale: Validation without reinforcing hallucinations maintains trust.
8. A patient is crying. The nurse’s best initial action is:
a) Offer tissues and sit quietly
b) Ask “What’s wrong?”
c) Provide presence and allow expression
d) Distract with TV
Rationale: Non-verbal support often speaks louder than words.
9. A patient says, “I hate my therapist.” The nurse responds:
a) “You shouldn’t hate anyone.”
b) “Your therapist is great.”
c) “Tell me more about what’s bothering you.”
d) “Just ignore it.”
Rationale: Exploring feelings helps uncover underlying issues.
10. A patient is pacing and muttering. The nurse should:
a) Approach immediately
b) Touch the patient to calm them
c) Maintain distance and speak calmly
d) Shout to get attention
Rationale: Personal space and calm voice reduce agitation.
11. A patient is non-verbal. The nurse should assess:
a) Only vital signs
b) Speech patterns only
c) Body language, facial expressions, and behavior
d) Assume comprehension is absent
Rationale: Non-verbal cues communicate mood and needs.
12. A patient says, “I’m going to kill my roommate.” The nurse must:
a) Ignore it as a joke
b) Document only
c) Assess intent and notify team; ensure safety
2025–2026 | QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS | ALREADY GRADED A+ |
100% VERIFIED
Mental Health Nursing | Key Domains: Psychiatric Assessment, Therapeutic
Communication, Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Substance Use, Crisis
Intervention, Psychopharmacology, Patient Safety, and Evidence-Based Nursing
Interventions | Expert-Verified Format & Structure | Exam-Ready
Introduction
This 2025–2026 NR 326 Exam 1 Mental Health Nursing Mastery Guide format provides the
full structural layout for generating validated exam content with correct answers. It
emphasizes safe, therapeutic, and evidence-based mental health nursing practices,
prioritization, clinical judgment, and patient-centered care. All content created using this
format supports mastery-level understanding and advanced mental health nursing
competencies.
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold green, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining clinical reasoning, patient-safety priorities, and why alternative options are less
appropriate.
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–15)
1. A patient states, “I’m worthless and no one cares.” The nurse’s best response
is:
a) “Don’t say that—you have family.”
b) “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
c) “You feel unloved and hopeless right now?”
d) “Cheer up, it will get better.”
Rationale: Reflection validates feelings and encourages further expression.
2. Which question is most appropriate during a mental health assessment?
a) “Why are you acting like this?”
b) “You’re not thinking of suicide, are you?”
c) “Have you had thoughts of harming yourself?”
d) “You’re not crazy, right?”
Rationale: Direct, non-judgmental questions about suicide are essential.
3. A patient becomes aggressive. The nurse’s first action is:
a) Call security immediately
b) Restrain the patient
c) Maintain a calm demeanor and ensure personal safety
d) Argue with the patient
Rationale: De-escalation begins with calm, non-threatening behavior.
4. A patient is silent for several minutes. The nurse should:
a) Ask another question
b) Leave the room
c) Allow silence and remain present
d) Fill the silence with small talk
Rationale: Silence can be therapeutic; presence shows acceptance.
, 5. A patient says, “I don’t want to take these meds anymore.” The nurse
responds:
a) “You have to take them.”
b) “The doctor knows best.”
c) “Tell me more about your concerns with the medication.”
d) “You’ll get sick if you stop.”
Rationale: Open-ended exploration fosters trust and adherence.
6. Which is a non-therapeutic response?
a) Paraphrasing
b) Reflecting
c) Giving false reassurance
d) Clarifying
Rationale: False reassurance blocks communication and invalidates feelings.
7. A patient is hallucinating. The nurse should:
a) Argue that the voices are not real
b) Ignore the hallucination
c) Acknowledge the patient’s experience and focus on reality
d) Agree with the hallucination
Rationale: Validation without reinforcing hallucinations maintains trust.
8. A patient is crying. The nurse’s best initial action is:
a) Offer tissues and sit quietly
b) Ask “What’s wrong?”
c) Provide presence and allow expression
d) Distract with TV
Rationale: Non-verbal support often speaks louder than words.
9. A patient says, “I hate my therapist.” The nurse responds:
a) “You shouldn’t hate anyone.”
b) “Your therapist is great.”
c) “Tell me more about what’s bothering you.”
d) “Just ignore it.”
Rationale: Exploring feelings helps uncover underlying issues.
10. A patient is pacing and muttering. The nurse should:
a) Approach immediately
b) Touch the patient to calm them
c) Maintain distance and speak calmly
d) Shout to get attention
Rationale: Personal space and calm voice reduce agitation.
11. A patient is non-verbal. The nurse should assess:
a) Only vital signs
b) Speech patterns only
c) Body language, facial expressions, and behavior
d) Assume comprehension is absent
Rationale: Non-verbal cues communicate mood and needs.
12. A patient says, “I’m going to kill my roommate.” The nurse must:
a) Ignore it as a joke
b) Document only
c) Assess intent and notify team; ensure safety
