Exam 3: NSG322 / NSG 322 (Latest Update 2026/2027) Behavioral Health Nursing Exam | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A - GCU
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Exam 3: NSG322 / NSG 322 (Latest Update 2026/2027)
Behavioral Health Nursing Exam | Questions and Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A - GCU
75 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Behavioral Health Assessment Psychiatric Disorders & Treatment
Therapeutic Communication & Interventions Crisis Intervention & Safety Protocols
Psychopharmacology & Medication Management
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Behavioral Health Assessment | Q1-Q20 | Exam 3: NSG322 / NSG 322 (Latest Update 2026/2027) Behavioral Health Nursing Exam | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A - GCU 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A 42-year-old man arrives at the mental health clinic accompanied by his wife, who reports he
has been withdrawn and tearful for three weeks. The psychiatric nurse begins the initial
assessment. Which component is the priority focus during the mental status examination?
A. Current appearance, behavior, speech, mood, and cognition
B. Detailed family psychiatric history across three generations
C. Complete review of childhood developmental milestones
D. Comprehensive list of current medications and allergies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The mental status examination focuses on observable and assessable components including appearance, behavior,
speech, mood, affect, thought processes, cognition, and insight, providing a snapshot of the patient's current
functioning. Choice A, C, and D are part of the comprehensive history but not the mental status examination itself. The
MSE is repeated over time to track changes.
Q2 Question 2 of 75
A 35-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after a suicide attempt. The
psychiatric nurse must assess her current suicide risk. Which factor represents the strongest
predictor of completed suicide?
A. History of depression diagnosed five years ago
B. Current suicidal ideation with a specific plan and access to means
C. Reported feelings of hopelessness for the past week
D. Family history of major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A specific, detailed suicide plan with access to lethal means is the strongest predictor of completed suicide, indicating
intent, preparation, and opportunity. Choice B, C, and D are risk factors but less predictive than an active plan with
means. The nurse must assess ideation, plan, intent, means, and protective factors.
NSG322 Behavioral Health Nursing Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 39
, Q3 Question 3 of 75
A 28-year-old man with schizophrenia is admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit. The nurse
observes he has not spoken in three days and appears immobile, maintaining a rigid posture
in bed. Which term describes this clinical presentation?
A. Akathisia with motor restlessness
B. Tardive dyskinesia with involuntary movements
C. Waxy flexibility with catatonic features
D. Dystonia with sustained muscle contractions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Waxy flexibility, a feature of catatonia, is characterized by maintenance of rigid postures for extended periods with
passive resistance to repositioning, often seen in catatonic schizophrenia. Choice B, C, and D are antipsychotic
medication side effects, not catatonic features. The patient may also exhibit mutism, negativism, and stupor.
Q4 Question 4 of 75
A 19-year-old college student presents to the student health center reporting decreased need
for sleep, racing thoughts, and excessive spending over the past week. The psychiatric nurse
practitioner conducts a mood assessment. Which finding would support a diagnosis of a
manic episode?
A. Persistently depressed mood for at least two weeks
B. Psychomotor retardation and decreased energy
C. Significant weight loss due to decreased appetite
D. Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
A decreased need for sleep without feeling tired is a hallmark manic symptom, reflecting the heightened energy and
decreased need for rest characteristic of mania. Choice A, C, and D are depressive symptoms. A manic episode
requires elevated or irritable mood with at least three additional symptoms lasting at least one week.
NSG322 Behavioral Health Nursing Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 39
, Q5 Question 5 of 75
A 55-year-old woman with severe depression is assessed by the psychiatric nurse for
cognitive function. When asked to interpret the proverb 'people in glass houses should not
throw stones,' she responds literally. Which thought process does this indicate?
A. Concrete thinking indicating impaired abstraction
B. Abstract thinking typical of healthy cognition
C. Loose associations suggesting thought disorder
D. Tangential thinking indicating distractibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Concrete thinking, responding to proverbs with literal interpretations, indicates impaired abstract reasoning, often seen
in depression, schizophrenia, and cognitive disorders. Choice A is the opposite; Choice B is correct. Choice C and D
are formal thought disorders with disorganized thinking patterns. Normal adults interpret proverbs abstractly.
Q6 Question 6 of 75
A psychiatric nurse is assessing a 60-year-old man admitted with confusion. The Mini-Mental
State Examination is administered to screen for cognitive impairment. Which score threshold
suggests significant cognitive impairment?
A. Score of 27 or higher indicating normal cognition
B. Score of 23 or lower suggesting cognitive impairment
C. Score of 30 indicating maximum impairment
D. Score of 15 indicating mild cognitive decline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A Mini-Mental State Examination score of 23 or lower out of 30 suggests significant cognitive impairment, with lower
scores indicating more severe impairment. Choice A is within normal range; Choice C is incorrect because 30 is the
maximum (best) score. Choice D of 15 indicates moderate to severe impairment, not mild.
NSG322 Behavioral Health Nursing Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 39
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
Exam 3: NSG322 / NSG 322 (Latest Update 2026/2027)
Behavioral Health Nursing Exam | Questions and Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A - GCU
75 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Behavioral Health Assessment Psychiatric Disorders & Treatment
Therapeutic Communication & Interventions Crisis Intervention & Safety Protocols
Psychopharmacology & Medication Management
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Behavioral Health Assessment | Q1-Q20 | Exam 3: NSG322 / NSG 322 (Latest Update 2026/2027) Behavioral Health Nursing Exam | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A - GCU 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A 42-year-old man arrives at the mental health clinic accompanied by his wife, who reports he
has been withdrawn and tearful for three weeks. The psychiatric nurse begins the initial
assessment. Which component is the priority focus during the mental status examination?
A. Current appearance, behavior, speech, mood, and cognition
B. Detailed family psychiatric history across three generations
C. Complete review of childhood developmental milestones
D. Comprehensive list of current medications and allergies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The mental status examination focuses on observable and assessable components including appearance, behavior,
speech, mood, affect, thought processes, cognition, and insight, providing a snapshot of the patient's current
functioning. Choice A, C, and D are part of the comprehensive history but not the mental status examination itself. The
MSE is repeated over time to track changes.
Q2 Question 2 of 75
A 35-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after a suicide attempt. The
psychiatric nurse must assess her current suicide risk. Which factor represents the strongest
predictor of completed suicide?
A. History of depression diagnosed five years ago
B. Current suicidal ideation with a specific plan and access to means
C. Reported feelings of hopelessness for the past week
D. Family history of major depressive disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A specific, detailed suicide plan with access to lethal means is the strongest predictor of completed suicide, indicating
intent, preparation, and opportunity. Choice B, C, and D are risk factors but less predictive than an active plan with
means. The nurse must assess ideation, plan, intent, means, and protective factors.
NSG322 Behavioral Health Nursing Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 39
, Q3 Question 3 of 75
A 28-year-old man with schizophrenia is admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit. The nurse
observes he has not spoken in three days and appears immobile, maintaining a rigid posture
in bed. Which term describes this clinical presentation?
A. Akathisia with motor restlessness
B. Tardive dyskinesia with involuntary movements
C. Waxy flexibility with catatonic features
D. Dystonia with sustained muscle contractions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Waxy flexibility, a feature of catatonia, is characterized by maintenance of rigid postures for extended periods with
passive resistance to repositioning, often seen in catatonic schizophrenia. Choice B, C, and D are antipsychotic
medication side effects, not catatonic features. The patient may also exhibit mutism, negativism, and stupor.
Q4 Question 4 of 75
A 19-year-old college student presents to the student health center reporting decreased need
for sleep, racing thoughts, and excessive spending over the past week. The psychiatric nurse
practitioner conducts a mood assessment. Which finding would support a diagnosis of a
manic episode?
A. Persistently depressed mood for at least two weeks
B. Psychomotor retardation and decreased energy
C. Significant weight loss due to decreased appetite
D. Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
A decreased need for sleep without feeling tired is a hallmark manic symptom, reflecting the heightened energy and
decreased need for rest characteristic of mania. Choice A, C, and D are depressive symptoms. A manic episode
requires elevated or irritable mood with at least three additional symptoms lasting at least one week.
NSG322 Behavioral Health Nursing Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 39
, Q5 Question 5 of 75
A 55-year-old woman with severe depression is assessed by the psychiatric nurse for
cognitive function. When asked to interpret the proverb 'people in glass houses should not
throw stones,' she responds literally. Which thought process does this indicate?
A. Concrete thinking indicating impaired abstraction
B. Abstract thinking typical of healthy cognition
C. Loose associations suggesting thought disorder
D. Tangential thinking indicating distractibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Concrete thinking, responding to proverbs with literal interpretations, indicates impaired abstract reasoning, often seen
in depression, schizophrenia, and cognitive disorders. Choice A is the opposite; Choice B is correct. Choice C and D
are formal thought disorders with disorganized thinking patterns. Normal adults interpret proverbs abstractly.
Q6 Question 6 of 75
A psychiatric nurse is assessing a 60-year-old man admitted with confusion. The Mini-Mental
State Examination is administered to screen for cognitive impairment. Which score threshold
suggests significant cognitive impairment?
A. Score of 27 or higher indicating normal cognition
B. Score of 23 or lower suggesting cognitive impairment
C. Score of 30 indicating maximum impairment
D. Score of 15 indicating mild cognitive decline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A Mini-Mental State Examination score of 23 or lower out of 30 suggests significant cognitive impairment, with lower
scores indicating more severe impairment. Choice A is within normal range; Choice C is incorrect because 30 is the
maximum (best) score. Choice D of 15 indicates moderate to severe impairment, not mild.
NSG322 Behavioral Health Nursing Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 39
