NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Therapeutic Relationship and Communication
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Personality Disorders
Eating Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Cognitive Disorders
Crisis Intervention and Trauma
Psychopharmacology
Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate advanced
knowledge and clinical reasoning skills in mental health nursing. The
assessment covers key concepts including therapeutic communication,
psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, psychopharmacology, crisis
intervention, trauma-informed care, and legal/ethical considerations in
psychiatric nursing. Through a series of multiple-choice questions,
students will demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to
complex clinical scenarios. The exam emphasizes critical thinking, patient
safety, recovery-oriented care, and evidence-based practice. Successful
completion of this exam indicates readiness to provide competent,
compassionate, and culturally sensitive mental health nursing care in a
variety of clinical settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
,1. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client
diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following statements
by the nurse demonstrates the most effective use of therapeutic
communication?
A. "You seem to be hearing things that others don't hear. Is that
frightening for you?"
B. "I understand you're hearing voices, but they aren't real."
C. "Let's focus on something else to help you forget about the voices."
D. "Why are you listening to those voices when you know they're not
real?"
A. "You seem to be hearing things that others don't hear. Is that
frightening for you?"
RATIONALE: This response validates the client's experience without
reinforcing the hallucination. It demonstrates empathy and encourages
the client to explore their feelings, which is therapeutic.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, "I'm such a
failure. I can't do anything right." Which nursing response is most
therapeutic?
A. "You shouldn't talk about yourself that way."
B. "I notice you completed your activities of daily living independently
today."
C. "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
D. "You need to have a more positive attitude."
B. "I notice you completed your activities of daily living
independently today."
RATIONALE: This response provides reality-based feedback and
focuses on strengths, which challenges the client's negative self-
perception without being confrontational or dismissive.
,3. A client with bipolar disorder in the manic phase states, "I am the
most important person in this hospital and everyone should listen to
me." Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. "That's not true. You need to be more realistic."
B. "You are a valued member of our unit, but we all have equal rights."
C. "Let's discuss this at our next group therapy session."
D. "Why do you feel you are more important than others?"
B. "You are a valued member of our unit, but we all have equal
rights."
RATIONALE: This response addresses the underlying grandiosity
without endorsing it. It validates the client's worth while establishing
reality-based boundaries.
4. A client with antisocial personality disorder is being
manipulative and attempting to divide staff members. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Allow the client to choose which nurse they prefer to work with.
B. Confront the client about their manipulative behavior in front of peers.
C. Maintain consistent staff assignments and communication about client
behavior.
D. Ignore the client's attempts at manipulation.
C. Maintain consistent staff assignments and communication about
client behavior.
RATIONALE: Consistency among staff members is essential to
prevent splitting and manipulation. Clear, consistent limits and
communication minimize opportunities for the client to divide staff.
5. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is having a
flashback to a traumatic event. Which is the nurse's priority action?
A. Touch the client gently to ground them in the present.
B. Speak loudly to get the client's attention.
, C. Remain with the client and gently remind them they are safe and in
the present.
D. Leave the client alone to process the flashback privately.
C. Remain with the client and gently remind them they are safe and
in the present.
RATIONALE: During a flashback, the client re-experiences the
trauma. The nurse should remain with the client, use a calm voice, and
provide grounding statements to help the client return to the present.
6. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends hours
each day washing their hands. The nurse understands that this
behavior serves which primary function?
A. It demonstrates compliance with hygiene standards.
B. It reduces anxiety temporarily.
C. It provides social interaction with staff.
D. It allows the client to avoid other responsibilities.
B. It reduces anxiety temporarily.
RATIONALE: Compulsive behaviors in OCD are performed to
temporarily reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. The relief is
short-lived, and the cycle continues.
7. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. The nurse
should monitor for which potential adverse effect?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Weight gain and metabolic syndrome
D. Photosensitivity
C. Weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
RATIONALE: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic associated with
significant weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and increased risk of
EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Therapeutic Relationship and Communication
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Personality Disorders
Eating Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Cognitive Disorders
Crisis Intervention and Trauma
Psychopharmacology
Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate advanced
knowledge and clinical reasoning skills in mental health nursing. The
assessment covers key concepts including therapeutic communication,
psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, psychopharmacology, crisis
intervention, trauma-informed care, and legal/ethical considerations in
psychiatric nursing. Through a series of multiple-choice questions,
students will demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to
complex clinical scenarios. The exam emphasizes critical thinking, patient
safety, recovery-oriented care, and evidence-based practice. Successful
completion of this exam indicates readiness to provide competent,
compassionate, and culturally sensitive mental health nursing care in a
variety of clinical settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
,1. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client
diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following statements
by the nurse demonstrates the most effective use of therapeutic
communication?
A. "You seem to be hearing things that others don't hear. Is that
frightening for you?"
B. "I understand you're hearing voices, but they aren't real."
C. "Let's focus on something else to help you forget about the voices."
D. "Why are you listening to those voices when you know they're not
real?"
A. "You seem to be hearing things that others don't hear. Is that
frightening for you?"
RATIONALE: This response validates the client's experience without
reinforcing the hallucination. It demonstrates empathy and encourages
the client to explore their feelings, which is therapeutic.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, "I'm such a
failure. I can't do anything right." Which nursing response is most
therapeutic?
A. "You shouldn't talk about yourself that way."
B. "I notice you completed your activities of daily living independently
today."
C. "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
D. "You need to have a more positive attitude."
B. "I notice you completed your activities of daily living
independently today."
RATIONALE: This response provides reality-based feedback and
focuses on strengths, which challenges the client's negative self-
perception without being confrontational or dismissive.
,3. A client with bipolar disorder in the manic phase states, "I am the
most important person in this hospital and everyone should listen to
me." Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. "That's not true. You need to be more realistic."
B. "You are a valued member of our unit, but we all have equal rights."
C. "Let's discuss this at our next group therapy session."
D. "Why do you feel you are more important than others?"
B. "You are a valued member of our unit, but we all have equal
rights."
RATIONALE: This response addresses the underlying grandiosity
without endorsing it. It validates the client's worth while establishing
reality-based boundaries.
4. A client with antisocial personality disorder is being
manipulative and attempting to divide staff members. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Allow the client to choose which nurse they prefer to work with.
B. Confront the client about their manipulative behavior in front of peers.
C. Maintain consistent staff assignments and communication about client
behavior.
D. Ignore the client's attempts at manipulation.
C. Maintain consistent staff assignments and communication about
client behavior.
RATIONALE: Consistency among staff members is essential to
prevent splitting and manipulation. Clear, consistent limits and
communication minimize opportunities for the client to divide staff.
5. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is having a
flashback to a traumatic event. Which is the nurse's priority action?
A. Touch the client gently to ground them in the present.
B. Speak loudly to get the client's attention.
, C. Remain with the client and gently remind them they are safe and in
the present.
D. Leave the client alone to process the flashback privately.
C. Remain with the client and gently remind them they are safe and
in the present.
RATIONALE: During a flashback, the client re-experiences the
trauma. The nurse should remain with the client, use a calm voice, and
provide grounding statements to help the client return to the present.
6. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends hours
each day washing their hands. The nurse understands that this
behavior serves which primary function?
A. It demonstrates compliance with hygiene standards.
B. It reduces anxiety temporarily.
C. It provides social interaction with staff.
D. It allows the client to avoid other responsibilities.
B. It reduces anxiety temporarily.
RATIONALE: Compulsive behaviors in OCD are performed to
temporarily reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. The relief is
short-lived, and the cycle continues.
7. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. The nurse
should monitor for which potential adverse effect?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Weight gain and metabolic syndrome
D. Photosensitivity
C. Weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
RATIONALE: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic associated with
significant weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and increased risk of
