PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
50 Multiple Choice Questions • Practice Set with Separate Answer Key
EXAM PRACTICE SET
Therapeutic Communication • Schizophrenia • Bipolar Disorder • Personality Disorders •
Psychopharmacology
1. Which therapeutic communication technique is best demonstrated when a
nurse says, "Go on, I'm listening," to a patient with schizophrenia?
A) Restating
B) General leads
C) Exploring
D) Giving recognition
2. A patient experiencing acute mania diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder begins
shouting insults at the nurse. What is the most appropriate initial nursing
intervention?
A) Place the patient in seclusion immediately.
B) Calmly and firmly set limits on the behavior.
C) Ignore the behavior to avoid giving attention.
D) Administer a PRN antipsychotic without warning.
3. Which symptom is classified as a "negative" symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Auditory hallucinations
B) Delusions of grandeur
C) Avolition
D) Bizarre posturing
4. A patient diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder refuses to take their
medication, stating, "The doctors are trying to poison me." How should the nurse
respond?
A) "Nobody is trying to poison you; this is your medicine."
B) "Why do you think the doctors want to poison you?"
C) "I understand you believe this medicine is harmful, but it is prescribed to help you."
D) "If you don't take your medication, your condition will worsen."
Psychiatric Nursing • 50 MCQs Page 1
, 5. Which mood stabilizer requires regular monitoring of blood levels due to a
narrow therapeutic index and the risk of severe toxicity?
A) Carbamazepine
B) Lamotrigine
C) Lithium carbonate
D) Valproic acid
6. A patient with borderline personality disorder displays "splitting" behavior.
What is a hallmark characteristic of this defense mechanism?
A) Viewing people and situations as either all good or all bad.
B) Splitting tasks evenly among nursing staff to reduce stress.
C) Alternating between active psychosis and complete lucidity.
D) Blaming others for personal mistakes and legal troubles.
7. What is the primary nursing goal during the acute phase of catatonic
schizophrenia?
A) Providing intensive psychotherapy sessions
B) Ensuring physiological needs and physical safety (hydration, nutrition)
C) Teaching social skills training in a group setting
D) Uncovering childhood trauma associated with the illness
8. A patient on lithium therapy reports experiencing coarse hand tremors, severe
nausea, vomiting, and confusion. What is the nurse's immediate action?
A) Encourage the patient to drink extra water and salt.
B) Hold the next dose and notify the healthcare provider immediately.
C) Document the findings as a normal side effect of the drug.
D) Administer an extra dose of an anticholinergic medication.
9. Which defense mechanism is most commonly associated with
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
A) Projection
B) Rationalization
C) Intellectualization
D) Regression
Psychiatric Nursing • 50 MCQs Page 2
50 Multiple Choice Questions • Practice Set with Separate Answer Key
EXAM PRACTICE SET
Therapeutic Communication • Schizophrenia • Bipolar Disorder • Personality Disorders •
Psychopharmacology
1. Which therapeutic communication technique is best demonstrated when a
nurse says, "Go on, I'm listening," to a patient with schizophrenia?
A) Restating
B) General leads
C) Exploring
D) Giving recognition
2. A patient experiencing acute mania diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder begins
shouting insults at the nurse. What is the most appropriate initial nursing
intervention?
A) Place the patient in seclusion immediately.
B) Calmly and firmly set limits on the behavior.
C) Ignore the behavior to avoid giving attention.
D) Administer a PRN antipsychotic without warning.
3. Which symptom is classified as a "negative" symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Auditory hallucinations
B) Delusions of grandeur
C) Avolition
D) Bizarre posturing
4. A patient diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder refuses to take their
medication, stating, "The doctors are trying to poison me." How should the nurse
respond?
A) "Nobody is trying to poison you; this is your medicine."
B) "Why do you think the doctors want to poison you?"
C) "I understand you believe this medicine is harmful, but it is prescribed to help you."
D) "If you don't take your medication, your condition will worsen."
Psychiatric Nursing • 50 MCQs Page 1
, 5. Which mood stabilizer requires regular monitoring of blood levels due to a
narrow therapeutic index and the risk of severe toxicity?
A) Carbamazepine
B) Lamotrigine
C) Lithium carbonate
D) Valproic acid
6. A patient with borderline personality disorder displays "splitting" behavior.
What is a hallmark characteristic of this defense mechanism?
A) Viewing people and situations as either all good or all bad.
B) Splitting tasks evenly among nursing staff to reduce stress.
C) Alternating between active psychosis and complete lucidity.
D) Blaming others for personal mistakes and legal troubles.
7. What is the primary nursing goal during the acute phase of catatonic
schizophrenia?
A) Providing intensive psychotherapy sessions
B) Ensuring physiological needs and physical safety (hydration, nutrition)
C) Teaching social skills training in a group setting
D) Uncovering childhood trauma associated with the illness
8. A patient on lithium therapy reports experiencing coarse hand tremors, severe
nausea, vomiting, and confusion. What is the nurse's immediate action?
A) Encourage the patient to drink extra water and salt.
B) Hold the next dose and notify the healthcare provider immediately.
C) Document the findings as a normal side effect of the drug.
D) Administer an extra dose of an anticholinergic medication.
9. Which defense mechanism is most commonly associated with
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
A) Projection
B) Rationalization
C) Intellectualization
D) Regression
Psychiatric Nursing • 50 MCQs Page 2
