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NSG 524 – MENTAL HEALTH NURSING – FINAL EXAM
(NCLEX-STYLE) 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare for the NSG 524 Final Exam with this focused Mental Health Nursing NCLEX-
style study resource from Herzing University. It is designed to reinforce psychiatric
nursing concepts, mental health assessment, therapeutic communication, patient
safety, and clinical decision-making. The NCLEX-style format helps you practice
applying nursing knowledge to clinical scenarios while strengthening prioritization
and test-taking skills. Use this resource alongside your coursework to review key
material and build confidence for the final exam.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Foundations, Theories & Therapeutic Communication (Q1–Q25)
1. A nurse is reviewing the function of neurotransmitters with a group of
nursing students. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated
with the pathophysiology of depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin is significantly linked with depression; lower levels
are associated with mood disorders, and many antidepressants target
serotonin reuptake.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who states, "No one cares whether I live or
die." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Tell me more about what you are feeling."
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C. "Things will get better soon."
D. "Why do you feel that way?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring the client's feelings encourages expression and
assessment of suicidal ideation. False reassurance and "why" questions
are non-therapeutic.
3. A client with schizophrenia is pacing the hallway and talking loudly to
himself. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Ask the client to return to his room.
B. Approach the client calmly and ask what he is experiencing.
C. Administer PRN antipsychotic medication.
D. Place the client in seclusion.
Answer: B
Rationale: Approaching calmly and assessing the client's experience is
the initial step. Medication and seclusion are only used if less restrictive
interventions fail.
4. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who has been
diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which technique is most
appropriate?
A. Giving advice
B. Using silence
C. Changing the subject
D. False reassurance
Answer: B
Rationale: Silence allows the client time to reflect and process thoughts
and feelings, which is therapeutic for depressed clients.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about the phases of the nurse-patient
relationship according to Peplau. Which phase involves establishing trust
and rapport?
A. Pre-interaction phase
B. Orientation phase
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C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is when trust and rapport are
established.
6. A client says, "I can't go on anymore." Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Change the subject to distract the client.
B. Assess the client for suicidal ideation.
C. Reassure the client that things will improve.
D. Document the statement and continue the assessment.
Answer: B
Rationale: This statement may indicate suicidal ideation and requires
immediate assessment for safety.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is angry and yelling. Which response
by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Yell back to assert authority.
B. Remain calm and set limits on the behavior.
C. Ignore the client until the behavior stops.
D. Leave the room immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Remaining calm and setting limits is therapeutic and maintains
safety.
8. A nurse is using empathy with a client. Which statement reflects
empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "I can see this is difficult for you."
C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "Let's move on to something else."
Answer: B
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the client's feelings without claiming
to have the same experience.
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9. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which
action by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Sharing personal problems with the client.
B. Maintaining professional boundaries.
C. Becoming friends with the client outside of work.
D. Accepting gifts from the client.
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining professional boundaries is essential in a
therapeutic relationship.
10. A client asks the nurse, "Are you going to keep me here forever?"
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "You are worried about being here a long time?"
B. "You will be discharged when you are ready."
C. "No, you will only be here a few days."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
Answer: A
Rationale: Clarifying helps ensure the nurse understands the client's
concern and validates the client's feelings.
11. A nurse is using nonverbal communication with a client. Which
behavior indicates active listening?
A. Interrupting the client to ask questions.
B. Nodding and maintaining eye contact.
C. Checking the phone during the conversation.
D. Looking away when the client speaks.
Answer: B
Rationale: Nodding and maintaining eye contact indicate attention and
encourage the client to continue.
12. A nurse is terminating the therapeutic relationship with a client who
says, "I'll miss you." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "I'll miss you too."
B. "Acknowledge the client's feelings and explore them."
NSG 524 – MENTAL HEALTH NURSING – FINAL EXAM
(NCLEX-STYLE) 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare for the NSG 524 Final Exam with this focused Mental Health Nursing NCLEX-
style study resource from Herzing University. It is designed to reinforce psychiatric
nursing concepts, mental health assessment, therapeutic communication, patient
safety, and clinical decision-making. The NCLEX-style format helps you practice
applying nursing knowledge to clinical scenarios while strengthening prioritization
and test-taking skills. Use this resource alongside your coursework to review key
material and build confidence for the final exam.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Foundations, Theories & Therapeutic Communication (Q1–Q25)
1. A nurse is reviewing the function of neurotransmitters with a group of
nursing students. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated
with the pathophysiology of depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: Serotonin is significantly linked with depression; lower levels
are associated with mood disorders, and many antidepressants target
serotonin reuptake.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who states, "No one cares whether I live or
die." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Tell me more about what you are feeling."
, Page 2 of 35
C. "Things will get better soon."
D. "Why do you feel that way?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring the client's feelings encourages expression and
assessment of suicidal ideation. False reassurance and "why" questions
are non-therapeutic.
3. A client with schizophrenia is pacing the hallway and talking loudly to
himself. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Ask the client to return to his room.
B. Approach the client calmly and ask what he is experiencing.
C. Administer PRN antipsychotic medication.
D. Place the client in seclusion.
Answer: B
Rationale: Approaching calmly and assessing the client's experience is
the initial step. Medication and seclusion are only used if less restrictive
interventions fail.
4. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who has been
diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which technique is most
appropriate?
A. Giving advice
B. Using silence
C. Changing the subject
D. False reassurance
Answer: B
Rationale: Silence allows the client time to reflect and process thoughts
and feelings, which is therapeutic for depressed clients.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about the phases of the nurse-patient
relationship according to Peplau. Which phase involves establishing trust
and rapport?
A. Pre-interaction phase
B. Orientation phase
, Page 3 of 35
C. Working phase
D. Termination phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase is when trust and rapport are
established.
6. A client says, "I can't go on anymore." Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Change the subject to distract the client.
B. Assess the client for suicidal ideation.
C. Reassure the client that things will improve.
D. Document the statement and continue the assessment.
Answer: B
Rationale: This statement may indicate suicidal ideation and requires
immediate assessment for safety.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is angry and yelling. Which response
by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Yell back to assert authority.
B. Remain calm and set limits on the behavior.
C. Ignore the client until the behavior stops.
D. Leave the room immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Remaining calm and setting limits is therapeutic and maintains
safety.
8. A nurse is using empathy with a client. Which statement reflects
empathy?
A. "I know exactly how you feel."
B. "I can see this is difficult for you."
C. "You shouldn't feel that way."
D. "Let's move on to something else."
Answer: B
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the client's feelings without claiming
to have the same experience.
, Page 4 of 35
9. A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which
action by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Sharing personal problems with the client.
B. Maintaining professional boundaries.
C. Becoming friends with the client outside of work.
D. Accepting gifts from the client.
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining professional boundaries is essential in a
therapeutic relationship.
10. A client asks the nurse, "Are you going to keep me here forever?"
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "You are worried about being here a long time?"
B. "You will be discharged when you are ready."
C. "No, you will only be here a few days."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
Answer: A
Rationale: Clarifying helps ensure the nurse understands the client's
concern and validates the client's feelings.
11. A nurse is using nonverbal communication with a client. Which
behavior indicates active listening?
A. Interrupting the client to ask questions.
B. Nodding and maintaining eye contact.
C. Checking the phone during the conversation.
D. Looking away when the client speaks.
Answer: B
Rationale: Nodding and maintaining eye contact indicate attention and
encourage the client to continue.
12. A nurse is terminating the therapeutic relationship with a client who
says, "I'll miss you." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "I'll miss you too."
B. "Acknowledge the client's feelings and explore them."
