NUR 256 Mental Health Exam With
Actual 120 Questions & Verified
Answers,Plus Rationales/Expert
Verified For Guaranteed Pass Graded
A+/ 2025/2026 /Latest Update/Instant
Download Pdf
NUR 256 MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE EXAM
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports hearing voices that others cannot hear.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
a. Ask the client what the voices are saying
b. Provide reality orientation
c. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication
d. Distract the client with an activity
a. Ask the client what the voices are saying
Rationale: Assessing content of hallucinations is priority to determine risk of harm
to self or others.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, “I am worthless and hopeless.” What
is the most appropriate response?
a. “Many people feel that way.”
b. “Why do you feel worthless?”
c. “You seem to be feeling very down about yourself right now.”
d. “Don’t think that way, things will get better.”
c. “You seem to be feeling very down about yourself right now.”
Rationale: Therapeutic communication reflects feelings and encourages expression
without minimizing or giving false reassurance.
3. Which finding indicates lithium toxicity?
a. Increased thirst
b. Fine hand tremor
c. Nausea and vomiting
, d. Weight gain
c. Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: GI upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and coarse tremor are early signs
of lithium toxicity.
4. A nurse cares for a client with schizophrenia who is withdrawn and rarely speaks.
Which communication technique is best?
a. Ask frequent direct questions
b. Sit in silence with the client
c. Encourage group therapy immediately
d. Use open-ended questions only
b. Sit in silence with the client
Rationale: Silence demonstrates acceptance and presence, reducing pressure and
building trust.
5. A client with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What is the first nursing action?
a. Teach relaxation techniques
b. Stay with the client and remain calm
c. Administer anti-anxiety medication
d. Encourage deep breathing exercises
b. Stay with the client and remain calm
Rationale: Safety and presence are the priority; teaching or medications follow
after stabilization.
6. A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client starting sertraline. Which instruction is
most important?
a. “You will feel better in 24 hours.”
b. “Do not stop taking the medication suddenly.”
c. “Take this medication at bedtime.”
d. “Avoid tyramine-containing foods.”
b. “Do not stop taking the medication suddenly.”
Rationale: SSRIs must be tapered to prevent withdrawal; effects take weeks, not
hours.
7. A manic client interrupts a group therapy session. What should the nurse do?
a. Ask the client to leave
b. Redirect the client to another activity
c. Tell the client to sit quietly
d. Ignore the behavior
b. Redirect the client to another activity
Rationale: Redirection decreases disruption while maintaining dignity.
, 8. A client states, “I feel like everyone hates me.” This is an example of:
a. Hallucination
b. Delusion of persecution
c. Idea of reference
d. Flight of ideas
c. Idea of reference
Rationale: The belief that external events relate personally is an idea of reference.
9. Which food should be avoided in a client taking MAOIs?
a. Yogurt
b. Apples
c. Aged cheese
d. Chicken
c. Aged cheese
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats) may cause hypertensive
crisis.
10. Which statement by a client indicates positive response to antipsychotic therapy?
a. “The voices are quieter now.”
b. “I feel less anxious before meetings.”
c. “I’m not as sad as before.”
d. “I have more energy to do things.”
a. “The voices are quieter now.”
Rationale: Antipsychotics reduce hallucinations and delusions, not primarily anxiety
or depression.
11. A nurse observes a client with OCD repeatedly washing hands. What is the best
approach?
a. Stop the ritual immediately
b. Allow time for ritual but set limits
c. Distract the client
d. Ignore the ritual
b. Allow time for ritual but set limits
Rationale: Allow rituals initially, then gradually set limits to reduce anxiety.
12. A client with depression has not eaten for 3 days. What should the nurse do first?
a. Ask the client why they are not eating
b. Offer frequent small, high-calorie snacks
c. Encourage the client to eat in the dining room
d. Request a nutrition consult
Actual 120 Questions & Verified
Answers,Plus Rationales/Expert
Verified For Guaranteed Pass Graded
A+/ 2025/2026 /Latest Update/Instant
Download Pdf
NUR 256 MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE EXAM
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports hearing voices that others cannot hear.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
a. Ask the client what the voices are saying
b. Provide reality orientation
c. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication
d. Distract the client with an activity
a. Ask the client what the voices are saying
Rationale: Assessing content of hallucinations is priority to determine risk of harm
to self or others.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, “I am worthless and hopeless.” What
is the most appropriate response?
a. “Many people feel that way.”
b. “Why do you feel worthless?”
c. “You seem to be feeling very down about yourself right now.”
d. “Don’t think that way, things will get better.”
c. “You seem to be feeling very down about yourself right now.”
Rationale: Therapeutic communication reflects feelings and encourages expression
without minimizing or giving false reassurance.
3. Which finding indicates lithium toxicity?
a. Increased thirst
b. Fine hand tremor
c. Nausea and vomiting
, d. Weight gain
c. Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: GI upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and coarse tremor are early signs
of lithium toxicity.
4. A nurse cares for a client with schizophrenia who is withdrawn and rarely speaks.
Which communication technique is best?
a. Ask frequent direct questions
b. Sit in silence with the client
c. Encourage group therapy immediately
d. Use open-ended questions only
b. Sit in silence with the client
Rationale: Silence demonstrates acceptance and presence, reducing pressure and
building trust.
5. A client with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What is the first nursing action?
a. Teach relaxation techniques
b. Stay with the client and remain calm
c. Administer anti-anxiety medication
d. Encourage deep breathing exercises
b. Stay with the client and remain calm
Rationale: Safety and presence are the priority; teaching or medications follow
after stabilization.
6. A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client starting sertraline. Which instruction is
most important?
a. “You will feel better in 24 hours.”
b. “Do not stop taking the medication suddenly.”
c. “Take this medication at bedtime.”
d. “Avoid tyramine-containing foods.”
b. “Do not stop taking the medication suddenly.”
Rationale: SSRIs must be tapered to prevent withdrawal; effects take weeks, not
hours.
7. A manic client interrupts a group therapy session. What should the nurse do?
a. Ask the client to leave
b. Redirect the client to another activity
c. Tell the client to sit quietly
d. Ignore the behavior
b. Redirect the client to another activity
Rationale: Redirection decreases disruption while maintaining dignity.
, 8. A client states, “I feel like everyone hates me.” This is an example of:
a. Hallucination
b. Delusion of persecution
c. Idea of reference
d. Flight of ideas
c. Idea of reference
Rationale: The belief that external events relate personally is an idea of reference.
9. Which food should be avoided in a client taking MAOIs?
a. Yogurt
b. Apples
c. Aged cheese
d. Chicken
c. Aged cheese
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats) may cause hypertensive
crisis.
10. Which statement by a client indicates positive response to antipsychotic therapy?
a. “The voices are quieter now.”
b. “I feel less anxious before meetings.”
c. “I’m not as sad as before.”
d. “I have more energy to do things.”
a. “The voices are quieter now.”
Rationale: Antipsychotics reduce hallucinations and delusions, not primarily anxiety
or depression.
11. A nurse observes a client with OCD repeatedly washing hands. What is the best
approach?
a. Stop the ritual immediately
b. Allow time for ritual but set limits
c. Distract the client
d. Ignore the ritual
b. Allow time for ritual but set limits
Rationale: Allow rituals initially, then gradually set limits to reduce anxiety.
12. A client with depression has not eaten for 3 days. What should the nurse do first?
a. Ask the client why they are not eating
b. Offer frequent small, high-calorie snacks
c. Encourage the client to eat in the dining room
d. Request a nutrition consult
