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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 310 – MENTAL
HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
2026/27 GUARANTEED PASS
Covers Therapeutic Communication, Psychiatric Disorders,
Psychopharmacology, Crisis Intervention, Mood Disorders,
Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Eating
Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and Legal/Ethical Issues in
Psychiatric Nursing
---
QUESTION 1
A patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I don't have a
reason to go on living." What is the priority nursing action?
A) Ask the patient to sign a no-suicide contract
B) Conduct a comprehensive suicide risk assessment
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Place the patient on suicide precautions
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to conduct a comprehensive suicide risk
assessment, including asking about current suicidal thoughts, plan,
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intent, means, and previous attempts. This guides the level of
precautions needed. A no-suicide contract is not a substitute for a
thorough assessment.
QUESTION 2
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing command hallucinations
telling them to harm themselves. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A) Distract the patient by engaging in a group activity
B) Tell the patient to ignore the voices
C) Assess the patient's risk for harm and initiate safety precautions
D) Administer antipsychotic medication immediately
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: Command hallucinations that direct the patient to harm
themselves or others require immediate safety assessment and
intervention. The nurse should not dismiss or ignore these
hallucinations. Safety is the priority, followed by medication and other
interventions.
QUESTION 3
A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which
finding is consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Psychomotor retardation
B) Pressured speech
C) Anhedonia
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D) Social withdrawal
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Pressured speech (rapid, loud, and often incoherent speech) is
a classic symptom of mania. Psychomotor retardation, anhedonia, and
social withdrawal are symptoms of depression, not mania.
QUESTION 4
A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed a
benzodiazepine. Which teaching is most important?
A) Take the medication only when feeling anxious
B) Do not abruptly stop the medication
C) Take with food to reduce GI upset
D) Expect immediate relief of symptoms
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines should be tapered gradually to prevent
withdrawal symptoms (rebound anxiety, seizures, insomnia). Abrupt
discontinuation can be dangerous. They should be taken regularly as
prescribed, not only PRN.
QUESTION 5
A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder is having flashbacks. Which
nursing intervention is most therapeutic?
A) Encourage the patient to talk about the traumatic event
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B) Use grounding techniques to help the patient reorient
C) Leave the patient alone until the flashback passes
D) Restrain the patient to prevent injury
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques (e.g., having the patient state their
name, date, location, and describe the environment) help reorient the
patient during a flashback. Talking about the event may be beneficial
later but not during an acute flashback.
QUESTION 6
A patient with social anxiety disorder is prescribed a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor. This medication is expected to:
A) Provide immediate relief of symptoms
B) Reduce anxiety over several weeks
C) Sedate the patient
D) Treat acute panic attacks only
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs take several weeks (typically 4-6 weeks) to achieve
therapeutic effect for anxiety disorders. They are not immediate-acting.
Benzodiazepines provide more rapid relief but are not first-line for long-
term treatment.
QUESTION 7
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 310 – MENTAL
HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
2026/27 GUARANTEED PASS
Covers Therapeutic Communication, Psychiatric Disorders,
Psychopharmacology, Crisis Intervention, Mood Disorders,
Schizophrenia, Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Eating
Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and Legal/Ethical Issues in
Psychiatric Nursing
---
QUESTION 1
A patient with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I don't have a
reason to go on living." What is the priority nursing action?
A) Ask the patient to sign a no-suicide contract
B) Conduct a comprehensive suicide risk assessment
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Place the patient on suicide precautions
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to conduct a comprehensive suicide risk
assessment, including asking about current suicidal thoughts, plan,
,2 | Page
intent, means, and previous attempts. This guides the level of
precautions needed. A no-suicide contract is not a substitute for a
thorough assessment.
QUESTION 2
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing command hallucinations
telling them to harm themselves. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A) Distract the patient by engaging in a group activity
B) Tell the patient to ignore the voices
C) Assess the patient's risk for harm and initiate safety precautions
D) Administer antipsychotic medication immediately
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: Command hallucinations that direct the patient to harm
themselves or others require immediate safety assessment and
intervention. The nurse should not dismiss or ignore these
hallucinations. Safety is the priority, followed by medication and other
interventions.
QUESTION 3
A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which
finding is consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Psychomotor retardation
B) Pressured speech
C) Anhedonia
,3 | Page
D) Social withdrawal
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Pressured speech (rapid, loud, and often incoherent speech) is
a classic symptom of mania. Psychomotor retardation, anhedonia, and
social withdrawal are symptoms of depression, not mania.
QUESTION 4
A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed a
benzodiazepine. Which teaching is most important?
A) Take the medication only when feeling anxious
B) Do not abruptly stop the medication
C) Take with food to reduce GI upset
D) Expect immediate relief of symptoms
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines should be tapered gradually to prevent
withdrawal symptoms (rebound anxiety, seizures, insomnia). Abrupt
discontinuation can be dangerous. They should be taken regularly as
prescribed, not only PRN.
QUESTION 5
A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder is having flashbacks. Which
nursing intervention is most therapeutic?
A) Encourage the patient to talk about the traumatic event
, 4 | Page
B) Use grounding techniques to help the patient reorient
C) Leave the patient alone until the flashback passes
D) Restrain the patient to prevent injury
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques (e.g., having the patient state their
name, date, location, and describe the environment) help reorient the
patient during a flashback. Talking about the event may be beneficial
later but not during an acute flashback.
QUESTION 6
A patient with social anxiety disorder is prescribed a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor. This medication is expected to:
A) Provide immediate relief of symptoms
B) Reduce anxiety over several weeks
C) Sedate the patient
D) Treat acute panic attacks only
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs take several weeks (typically 4-6 weeks) to achieve
therapeutic effect for anxiety disorders. They are not immediate-acting.
Benzodiazepines provide more rapid relief but are not first-line for long-
term treatment.
QUESTION 7
