PNG 2254: Mental Health Nursing –
Comprehensive Exam 1-3 300+ Questions and
Answers with Rationale Latest Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed
sertraline. The client reports experiencing sexual dysfunction
since starting the medication. Which initial action by the nurse is
most appropriate?
A. Instruct the client to stop taking the medication
immediately without consulting the physician.
B. Acknowledge the side effect, validate the client's
frustration, and encourage discussion with the prescribing
provider regarding dosage adjustment or alternative
medications.
C. Inform the client that sexual side effects are entirely
imaginary and will disappear within 24 hours.
D. Advise the client to double the daily dose to build
tolerance to the side effect.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common, distressing side
effect of SSRIs. The nurse should validate the client's concern
and facilitate communication with the provider to explore
options such as switching agents or adjusting timing, rather than
advising abrupt cessation.
,Question 2
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. Which
baseline and ongoing laboratory tests must the nurse ensure are
ordered to monitor for serious adverse effects?
A. Complete blood count (CBC) with platelets and liver
function tests (LFTs)
B. Thyroid function panel and arterial blood gases
C. Fasting lipid profile and serum creatinine clearance
D. Serum electrolytes and urinalysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Valproic acid carries risks of hepatotoxicity and
thrombocytopenia. Regular monitoring of liver function tests
and complete blood counts with platelet levels is essential for
client safety.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client diagnosed with conduct
disorder. Which parental report best aligns with the diagnostic
criteria of this disorder?
A. "My child is extremely shy, clings to me constantly, and
refuses to attend school."
B. "My child frequently skips school, bullies younger
children, and breaks windows in the neighborhood."
, C. "My child spends hours washing hands until the skin is raw
and bleeding."
D. "My child is deeply saddened, cries daily, and refuses to
eat or sleep."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Conduct disorder involves repetitive and persistent
patterns of behavior in children and adolescents that violate the
basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms,
such as truancy, bullying, and property destruction.
Question 4
A client with schizophrenia states, "The nurses are plotting with
the extraterrestrials to steal my thoughts and replace them with
static electricity." The nurse correctly identifies this belief as a:
A. Somatic delusion and delusion of control
B. Grandiose delusion
C. Persecutory/paranoid delusion and thought insertion
D. Phobic anxiety
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Believing that others are plotting against oneself is a
persecutory delusion, and believing that outside entities are
forcing thoughts into one's mind is a delusion of thought
insertion.
Question 5
, A client diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder is
undergoing behavioral therapy utilizing exposure and response
prevention (ERP). Which nursing intervention supports this
therapeutic approach?
A. Assisting the client to confront anxiety-provoking stimuli
(exposure) while preventing the performance of compulsive
rituals (response prevention).
B. Allowing the client unlimited time to complete hand-
washing rituals whenever anxiety spikes.
C. Forbidding the client from talking about their obsessive
thoughts during group sessions.
D. Validating the client's fears by agreeing that contamination
is a constant, real threat.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Exposure and response prevention involves exposing
the client to triggers while blocking the compulsive ritual,
teaching the client that anxiety decreases naturally over time
without needing the ritual.
Question 6
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
experiences sudden intense emotional pain and impulsively cuts
their forearm with a sharp object. Which nursing diagnosis is the
most immediate priority for this client?
A. Risk for self-mutilation
Comprehensive Exam 1-3 300+ Questions and
Answers with Rationale Latest Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed
sertraline. The client reports experiencing sexual dysfunction
since starting the medication. Which initial action by the nurse is
most appropriate?
A. Instruct the client to stop taking the medication
immediately without consulting the physician.
B. Acknowledge the side effect, validate the client's
frustration, and encourage discussion with the prescribing
provider regarding dosage adjustment or alternative
medications.
C. Inform the client that sexual side effects are entirely
imaginary and will disappear within 24 hours.
D. Advise the client to double the daily dose to build
tolerance to the side effect.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a common, distressing side
effect of SSRIs. The nurse should validate the client's concern
and facilitate communication with the provider to explore
options such as switching agents or adjusting timing, rather than
advising abrupt cessation.
,Question 2
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. Which
baseline and ongoing laboratory tests must the nurse ensure are
ordered to monitor for serious adverse effects?
A. Complete blood count (CBC) with platelets and liver
function tests (LFTs)
B. Thyroid function panel and arterial blood gases
C. Fasting lipid profile and serum creatinine clearance
D. Serum electrolytes and urinalysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Valproic acid carries risks of hepatotoxicity and
thrombocytopenia. Regular monitoring of liver function tests
and complete blood counts with platelet levels is essential for
client safety.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client diagnosed with conduct
disorder. Which parental report best aligns with the diagnostic
criteria of this disorder?
A. "My child is extremely shy, clings to me constantly, and
refuses to attend school."
B. "My child frequently skips school, bullies younger
children, and breaks windows in the neighborhood."
, C. "My child spends hours washing hands until the skin is raw
and bleeding."
D. "My child is deeply saddened, cries daily, and refuses to
eat or sleep."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Conduct disorder involves repetitive and persistent
patterns of behavior in children and adolescents that violate the
basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms,
such as truancy, bullying, and property destruction.
Question 4
A client with schizophrenia states, "The nurses are plotting with
the extraterrestrials to steal my thoughts and replace them with
static electricity." The nurse correctly identifies this belief as a:
A. Somatic delusion and delusion of control
B. Grandiose delusion
C. Persecutory/paranoid delusion and thought insertion
D. Phobic anxiety
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Believing that others are plotting against oneself is a
persecutory delusion, and believing that outside entities are
forcing thoughts into one's mind is a delusion of thought
insertion.
Question 5
, A client diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder is
undergoing behavioral therapy utilizing exposure and response
prevention (ERP). Which nursing intervention supports this
therapeutic approach?
A. Assisting the client to confront anxiety-provoking stimuli
(exposure) while preventing the performance of compulsive
rituals (response prevention).
B. Allowing the client unlimited time to complete hand-
washing rituals whenever anxiety spikes.
C. Forbidding the client from talking about their obsessive
thoughts during group sessions.
D. Validating the client's fears by agreeing that contamination
is a constant, real threat.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Exposure and response prevention involves exposing
the client to triggers while blocking the compulsive ritual,
teaching the client that anxiety decreases naturally over time
without needing the ritual.
Question 6
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
experiences sudden intense emotional pain and impulsively cuts
their forearm with a sharp object. Which nursing diagnosis is the
most immediate priority for this client?
A. Risk for self-mutilation
