PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | CLINICAL JUDGMENT
PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
100 ORIGINAL QUESTIONS | ANSWERS + RATIONALES
Five sections of 20 | Scenario-based review | Print-friendly
LISTEN WITH CARE. SUPPORT SAFETY. BUILD CONNECTION.
Independent educational practice | No publisher affiliation
,Exam Instructions
Suggested time: 120 minutes. Select the single best response. Complete all five sections before reviewing the answer key and rationales. Use
current clinical guidance, individualized assessment, and facility policy in practice.
Coverage: therapeutic communication, suicide and crisis safety, mood disorders and psychotropic medications, psychosis, anxiety and
trauma, substance use, neurocognitive care, eating and sleep disorders, ethics, and prioritization.
This independently written educational practice exam is not an official licensing exam, publisher test bank, or affiliated product. Emergency guidance and
local legal requirements vary by location.
CONTENTS
Section 1: Questions 1-20
Section 2: Questions 21-40
Section 3: Questions 41-60
Section 4: Questions 61-80
Section 5: Questions 81-100
Answer Key and Rationales: Questions 1-100
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAM 2
, SECTION 1 | QUESTIONS 1-20
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 1. A client says, “Nothing matters anymore.” Which response is
therapeutic?
A. You have so much to be grateful for.
B. Let us talk about something more cheerful.
C. Tell me what has been feeling hardest lately.
D. Try not to think that way.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 2. A client says, “The staff are talking about me.” Which response is best?
A. Yes, they are probably discussing you.
B. You should ignore the voices.
C. That sounds upsetting. What have you noticed that makes you feel that way?
D. That is impossible; stop worrying.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 3. A client is silent after being told of a serious diagnosis. What should the
nurse do?
A. Leave because silence means refusal.
B. Change the subject immediately.
C. Remain present and allow time for the client to respond.
D. Ask several questions rapidly.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 4. A client asks the nurse to keep a planned suicide attempt secret. What is
the best response?
A. I promise I will tell no one.
B. I cannot keep information secret if your safety is at risk; let us get support now.
C. I will wait until tomorrow to decide.
D. You should not have told me.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 5. A client with mania interrupts a group repeatedly. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. Set a calm limit and offer a brief, structured activity.
B. Argue until the client agrees to stop.
C. Ask peers to physically restrain the client.
D. Allow the behavior without redirection.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 6. A client says, “I feel like a burden.” What should the nurse ask next?
A. Why would you say that?
B. Your family does not think so.
C. Have you been thinking about harming yourself or ending your life?
D. Can we discuss this at discharge?
Answer: ______
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAM 3
PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
100 ORIGINAL QUESTIONS | ANSWERS + RATIONALES
Five sections of 20 | Scenario-based review | Print-friendly
LISTEN WITH CARE. SUPPORT SAFETY. BUILD CONNECTION.
Independent educational practice | No publisher affiliation
,Exam Instructions
Suggested time: 120 minutes. Select the single best response. Complete all five sections before reviewing the answer key and rationales. Use
current clinical guidance, individualized assessment, and facility policy in practice.
Coverage: therapeutic communication, suicide and crisis safety, mood disorders and psychotropic medications, psychosis, anxiety and
trauma, substance use, neurocognitive care, eating and sleep disorders, ethics, and prioritization.
This independently written educational practice exam is not an official licensing exam, publisher test bank, or affiliated product. Emergency guidance and
local legal requirements vary by location.
CONTENTS
Section 1: Questions 1-20
Section 2: Questions 21-40
Section 3: Questions 41-60
Section 4: Questions 61-80
Section 5: Questions 81-100
Answer Key and Rationales: Questions 1-100
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAM 2
, SECTION 1 | QUESTIONS 1-20
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 1. A client says, “Nothing matters anymore.” Which response is
therapeutic?
A. You have so much to be grateful for.
B. Let us talk about something more cheerful.
C. Tell me what has been feeling hardest lately.
D. Try not to think that way.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 2. A client says, “The staff are talking about me.” Which response is best?
A. Yes, they are probably discussing you.
B. You should ignore the voices.
C. That sounds upsetting. What have you noticed that makes you feel that way?
D. That is impossible; stop worrying.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 3. A client is silent after being told of a serious diagnosis. What should the
nurse do?
A. Leave because silence means refusal.
B. Change the subject immediately.
C. Remain present and allow time for the client to respond.
D. Ask several questions rapidly.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 4. A client asks the nurse to keep a planned suicide attempt secret. What is
the best response?
A. I promise I will tell no one.
B. I cannot keep information secret if your safety is at risk; let us get support now.
C. I will wait until tomorrow to decide.
D. You should not have told me.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 5. A client with mania interrupts a group repeatedly. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. Set a calm limit and offer a brief, structured activity.
B. Argue until the client agrees to stop.
C. Ask peers to physically restrain the client.
D. Allow the behavior without redirection.
Answer: ______
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & ETHICS 6. A client says, “I feel like a burden.” What should the nurse ask next?
A. Why would you say that?
B. Your family does not think so.
C. Have you been thinking about harming yourself or ending your life?
D. Can we discuss this at discharge?
Answer: ______
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAM 3
