KAPLAN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis*
*- Therapeutic Communication Techniques*
*- Psychopharmacology and Medication Management*
*- Mental Health Disorders (Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety)*
- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
*- Ethics and Legal Compliance in Mental Health*
*- Substance Use Disorders and Addiction*
*- Trauma-Informed Care and PTSD*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates nursing competency in mental health and psychiatric care. The exam measures critical knowledge
including psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation of therapeutic interventions, and evaluation of patient
outcomes. Questions are presented in multiple-choice format with scenario-based clinical situations that emphasize real-world application and
decision-making skills. Candidates will demonstrate mastery of psychotropic medications, therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, ethics,
legal compliance, and evidence-based interventions for common mental health disorders. This exam prepares nursing professionals for clinical
practice and certification specialty examinations in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A client with schizophrenia states, "The government is spying on me through my TV." The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Derealization
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: A delusion is a fixed, false belief not based in reality. The client's belief that the government is spying through the TV is a delusion
of persecution. Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions, illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli, and derealization is a feeling that the
environment is unreal.
Question 2
Which medication requires routine monitoring of serum lithium levels?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Sertraline
D. Venlafaxine
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium carbonate is a mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder that requires regular serum level monitoring (therapeutic range
0.6-1.2 mEq/L) to prevent toxicity. The other medications are antidepressants that do not require lithium level monitoring.
Question 3
A client with major depression says, "I'm just a burden to everyone." The nurse's best response is:
A. "That's not true at all."
B. "Why do you feel that way?"
C. "You're feeling like a burden right now."
D. "Let's focus on positive things."
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: This response uses therapeutic communication by acknowledging and validating the client's feelings without judgment. Option A
dismisses feelings, B is probing, and D is dismissive and non-therapeutic.
Question 4
Which symptom is most characteristic of acute mania in bipolar disorder?
,A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Decreased need for sleep
C. Weight gain
D. Social withdrawal
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Decreased need for sleep is a hallmark symptom of acute mania. Clients may stay awake for days without feeling tired.
Hallucinations occur in schizophrenia, while weight gain and social withdrawal are more common in depression.
Question 5
A client with alcohol withdrawal is at highest risk for which complication?
A. Hypertension
B. Seizures
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Seizures are a life-threatening complication of alcohol withdrawal, typically occurring 6-48 hours after cessation. While
hypertension can occur, seizures pose the greatest immediate risk. Hypoglycemia (not hyperglycemia) and tachycardia (not bradycardia) are more
common.
Question 6
Which therapeutic approach is most effective for treating PTSD?
A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C. Occupational therapy
D. Art therapy
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly trauma-focused CBT, is the most evidence-based treatment for PTSD. ECT is used
for severe depression, while occupational and art therapy are supportive but not primary treatments.
Question 7
A client taking haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever, and altered consciousness. The nurse should suspect:
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Akathisia
D. Dopamine syndrome
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by muscle rigidity, fever,
autonomic instability, and altered consciousness. Tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary movements, akathisia is restlessness, and "dopamine
syndrome" is not a recognized condition.
Question 8
Which assessment finding indicates suicide risk in a client with depression?
A. Expressing hope for the future
B. Recent increase in energy
C. Social engagement
D. Improved sleep pattern
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A recent increase in energy in a depressed client is concerning because they may now have the energy to act on suicidal thoughts
that were previously present but not actionable. The other options indicate improvement in depression.
Question 9
The nurse is teaching a client about sertraline. Which statement indicates understanding?
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis*
*- Therapeutic Communication Techniques*
*- Psychopharmacology and Medication Management*
*- Mental Health Disorders (Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety)*
- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
*- Ethics and Legal Compliance in Mental Health*
*- Substance Use Disorders and Addiction*
*- Trauma-Informed Care and PTSD*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates nursing competency in mental health and psychiatric care. The exam measures critical knowledge
including psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation of therapeutic interventions, and evaluation of patient
outcomes. Questions are presented in multiple-choice format with scenario-based clinical situations that emphasize real-world application and
decision-making skills. Candidates will demonstrate mastery of psychotropic medications, therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, ethics,
legal compliance, and evidence-based interventions for common mental health disorders. This exam prepares nursing professionals for clinical
practice and certification specialty examinations in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A client with schizophrenia states, "The government is spying on me through my TV." The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Derealization
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: A delusion is a fixed, false belief not based in reality. The client's belief that the government is spying through the TV is a delusion
of persecution. Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions, illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli, and derealization is a feeling that the
environment is unreal.
Question 2
Which medication requires routine monitoring of serum lithium levels?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Sertraline
D. Venlafaxine
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium carbonate is a mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder that requires regular serum level monitoring (therapeutic range
0.6-1.2 mEq/L) to prevent toxicity. The other medications are antidepressants that do not require lithium level monitoring.
Question 3
A client with major depression says, "I'm just a burden to everyone." The nurse's best response is:
A. "That's not true at all."
B. "Why do you feel that way?"
C. "You're feeling like a burden right now."
D. "Let's focus on positive things."
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: This response uses therapeutic communication by acknowledging and validating the client's feelings without judgment. Option A
dismisses feelings, B is probing, and D is dismissive and non-therapeutic.
Question 4
Which symptom is most characteristic of acute mania in bipolar disorder?
,A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Decreased need for sleep
C. Weight gain
D. Social withdrawal
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Decreased need for sleep is a hallmark symptom of acute mania. Clients may stay awake for days without feeling tired.
Hallucinations occur in schizophrenia, while weight gain and social withdrawal are more common in depression.
Question 5
A client with alcohol withdrawal is at highest risk for which complication?
A. Hypertension
B. Seizures
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Seizures are a life-threatening complication of alcohol withdrawal, typically occurring 6-48 hours after cessation. While
hypertension can occur, seizures pose the greatest immediate risk. Hypoglycemia (not hyperglycemia) and tachycardia (not bradycardia) are more
common.
Question 6
Which therapeutic approach is most effective for treating PTSD?
A. Electroconvulsive therapy
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
C. Occupational therapy
D. Art therapy
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly trauma-focused CBT, is the most evidence-based treatment for PTSD. ECT is used
for severe depression, while occupational and art therapy are supportive but not primary treatments.
Question 7
A client taking haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever, and altered consciousness. The nurse should suspect:
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Akathisia
D. Dopamine syndrome
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by muscle rigidity, fever,
autonomic instability, and altered consciousness. Tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary movements, akathisia is restlessness, and "dopamine
syndrome" is not a recognized condition.
Question 8
Which assessment finding indicates suicide risk in a client with depression?
A. Expressing hope for the future
B. Recent increase in energy
C. Social engagement
D. Improved sleep pattern
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A recent increase in energy in a depressed client is concerning because they may now have the energy to act on suicidal thoughts
that were previously present but not actionable. The other options indicate improvement in depression.
Question 9
The nurse is teaching a client about sertraline. Which statement indicates understanding?
