NUR 233 PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
MOCK EXAM #2 1- 100 NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS, DETAILED
RATIONALES, PRIORITIZATION & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
REVIEW (2026-2027)
1. A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder states, “I wish I could go to sleep and never
wake up.” What is the nurse's priority response?
A. "You shouldn't think that way."
B. "Tell me more about those feelings."
C. "Have you thought about harming yourself?"
D. "Things will get better soon."
Answer: C
Rationale: Any statement suggesting death or suicide requires direct assessment of suicidal ideation,
plan, means, and intent.
2. Which symptom is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Social withdrawal
C. Hallucinations
D. Avolition
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms are additions to normal functioning and include hallucinations, delusions,
and disorganized thinking.
3. A patient taking lithium reports nausea, diarrhea, and coarse hand tremors. The nurse suspects:
A. Expected side effects
B. Lithium toxicity
C. Dehydration only
D. Anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: GI symptoms and coarse tremors are early signs of lithium toxicity.
,4. Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a student blames a professor for failing an exam
instead of accepting responsibility?
A. Denial
B. Regression
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
Answer: C
Rationale: Projection occurs when unacceptable feelings or faults are attributed to others.
5. During a panic attack, the nurse should first:
A. Teach coping strategies
B. Stay with the patient
C. Encourage group discussion
D. Ask detailed questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Providing a calm presence helps reduce anxiety and promotes safety.
6. A patient with OCD repeatedly washes hands despite skin damage. The repetitive washing is called:
A. Obsession
B. Delusion
C. Compulsion
D. Hallucination
Answer: C
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.
7. Which medication requires monitoring for agranulocytosis?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Clozapine
D. Lorazepam
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia and requires regular CBC monitoring.
, 8. A patient states, “The television is sending me messages.” This statement is:
A. Illusion
B. Delusion
C. Obsession
D. Compulsion
Answer: B
Rationale: Delusions are fixed false beliefs not based in reality.
9. Which communication technique is therapeutic?
A. "Why did you do that?"
B. "Everything will be okay."
C. "Tell me more about your concerns."
D. "I know exactly how you feel."
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage exploration of feelings.
10. The priority nursing intervention for a suicidal patient is:
A. Encourage journaling
B. Maintain safety precautions
C. Schedule family meetings
D. Promote independence
Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety is always the first priority.
11. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder frequently alternates between idealizing and
devaluing staff. This behavior is:
A. Rationalization
B. Splitting
C. Denial
D. Repression
Answer: B
12. Which medication is commonly used to treat alcohol withdrawal?
MOCK EXAM #2 1- 100 NCLEX-STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS, DETAILED
RATIONALES, PRIORITIZATION & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
REVIEW (2026-2027)
1. A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder states, “I wish I could go to sleep and never
wake up.” What is the nurse's priority response?
A. "You shouldn't think that way."
B. "Tell me more about those feelings."
C. "Have you thought about harming yourself?"
D. "Things will get better soon."
Answer: C
Rationale: Any statement suggesting death or suicide requires direct assessment of suicidal ideation,
plan, means, and intent.
2. Which symptom is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Social withdrawal
C. Hallucinations
D. Avolition
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms are additions to normal functioning and include hallucinations, delusions,
and disorganized thinking.
3. A patient taking lithium reports nausea, diarrhea, and coarse hand tremors. The nurse suspects:
A. Expected side effects
B. Lithium toxicity
C. Dehydration only
D. Anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: GI symptoms and coarse tremors are early signs of lithium toxicity.
,4. Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a student blames a professor for failing an exam
instead of accepting responsibility?
A. Denial
B. Regression
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
Answer: C
Rationale: Projection occurs when unacceptable feelings or faults are attributed to others.
5. During a panic attack, the nurse should first:
A. Teach coping strategies
B. Stay with the patient
C. Encourage group discussion
D. Ask detailed questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Providing a calm presence helps reduce anxiety and promotes safety.
6. A patient with OCD repeatedly washes hands despite skin damage. The repetitive washing is called:
A. Obsession
B. Delusion
C. Compulsion
D. Hallucination
Answer: C
Rationale: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.
7. Which medication requires monitoring for agranulocytosis?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Clozapine
D. Lorazepam
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia and requires regular CBC monitoring.
, 8. A patient states, “The television is sending me messages.” This statement is:
A. Illusion
B. Delusion
C. Obsession
D. Compulsion
Answer: B
Rationale: Delusions are fixed false beliefs not based in reality.
9. Which communication technique is therapeutic?
A. "Why did you do that?"
B. "Everything will be okay."
C. "Tell me more about your concerns."
D. "I know exactly how you feel."
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage exploration of feelings.
10. The priority nursing intervention for a suicidal patient is:
A. Encourage journaling
B. Maintain safety precautions
C. Schedule family meetings
D. Promote independence
Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety is always the first priority.
11. A patient with Borderline Personality Disorder frequently alternates between idealizing and
devaluing staff. This behavior is:
A. Rationalization
B. Splitting
C. Denial
D. Repression
Answer: B
12. Which medication is commonly used to treat alcohol withdrawal?
