Mental Health Nursing Final Exam 2026
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the best nursing response?
A. “Ignore the voices.”
B. “Those voices are not real.”
C. “What are the voices saying to you?”
D. “You should sleep more.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourages assessment of hallucinations without reinforcing or dismissing the
experience.
2. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depression?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Anhedonia
C. Grandiosity
D. Pressured speech
Answer: B
Rationale: Anhedonia is loss of interest or pleasure, a core symptom of depression.
3. A patient is in manic phase of bipolar disorder. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage group therapy
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods
C. Encourage insight into behavior
D. Promote long therapy sessions
Answer: B
Rationale: Manic patients are hyperactive and may not sit to eat; finger foods ensure
nutrition.
4. Which medication is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
,D. Sertraline
Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic.
5. A patient with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What should the nurse do first?
A. Leave the patient alone
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Restrict fluids
D. Give sedation immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled breathing helps reduce acute panic symptoms.
6. Which behavior indicates suicidal ideation?
A. Increased appetite
B. Giving away possessions
C. Improved sleep
D. Increased socialization
Answer: B
Rationale: Giving away belongings is a warning sign of suicide planning.
7. Which defense mechanism involves blaming others?
A. Projection
B. Regression
C. Sublimation
D. Suppression
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one’s feelings to others.
8. A patient is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. What is the most serious complication?
A. Constipation
B. Delirium tremens
C. Dry mouth
, D. Headache
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium tremens can be life-threatening.
9. Which therapy is most effective for phobias?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Exposure therapy
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Aversion therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual exposure reduces fear response.
10. Lithium therapy requires monitoring of which lab test?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Serum lithium levels
C. Blood glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range.
11. Which finding indicates serotonin syndrome?
A. Hypothermia
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperreflexia is a key sign of serotonin excess.
12. What is the priority for a patient with severe anxiety?
A. Teach coping skills
B. Provide calm environment
C. Explore childhood trauma
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the best nursing response?
A. “Ignore the voices.”
B. “Those voices are not real.”
C. “What are the voices saying to you?”
D. “You should sleep more.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourages assessment of hallucinations without reinforcing or dismissing the
experience.
2. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depression?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Anhedonia
C. Grandiosity
D. Pressured speech
Answer: B
Rationale: Anhedonia is loss of interest or pleasure, a core symptom of depression.
3. A patient is in manic phase of bipolar disorder. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage group therapy
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods
C. Encourage insight into behavior
D. Promote long therapy sessions
Answer: B
Rationale: Manic patients are hyperactive and may not sit to eat; finger foods ensure
nutrition.
4. Which medication is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
,D. Sertraline
Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic.
5. A patient with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What should the nurse do first?
A. Leave the patient alone
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Restrict fluids
D. Give sedation immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled breathing helps reduce acute panic symptoms.
6. Which behavior indicates suicidal ideation?
A. Increased appetite
B. Giving away possessions
C. Improved sleep
D. Increased socialization
Answer: B
Rationale: Giving away belongings is a warning sign of suicide planning.
7. Which defense mechanism involves blaming others?
A. Projection
B. Regression
C. Sublimation
D. Suppression
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one’s feelings to others.
8. A patient is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. What is the most serious complication?
A. Constipation
B. Delirium tremens
C. Dry mouth
, D. Headache
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium tremens can be life-threatening.
9. Which therapy is most effective for phobias?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Exposure therapy
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Aversion therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual exposure reduces fear response.
10. Lithium therapy requires monitoring of which lab test?
A. Liver enzymes
B. Serum lithium levels
C. Blood glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range.
11. Which finding indicates serotonin syndrome?
A. Hypothermia
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperreflexia is a key sign of serotonin excess.
12. What is the priority for a patient with severe anxiety?
A. Teach coping skills
B. Provide calm environment
C. Explore childhood trauma
