Fall SemeSter 2025 | atI PN meNtal HealtH
Proctored exam PreP 2025–2026 | 275+ VerIFIed
PractIce QueStIoNS wItH correct aNSwerS &
detaIled ratIoNaleS | comPlete atI meNtal
HealtH NurSINg teSt BaNk & Study guIde For
PractIcal NurSINg (PN) StudeNtS | uPdated atI
PN exam reVIew reSource
Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient with major depressive disorder. Which of the
following findings would the nurse expect?
A. Increased energy levels
B. Euphoric mood
C. Anhedonia
D. Hyperactivity
Correct answer: C. Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure, is a core symptom of major
depressive disorder. Patients may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Question 2:
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. "Ignore the voices; they're not real."
B. "Can you tell me what the voices are saying?"
C. "Focus on my voice and what I am saying."
D. "You need to take your medication."
Correct answer: C. "Focus on my voice and what I am saying."
Rationale: Redirecting the patient’s focus to the nurse’s voice helps to provide
grounding and may reduce the impact of the hallucinations.
Question 3:
A nurse is discussing the importance of medication adherence with a patient
diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Which statement by the patient indicates a need
for further education?
A. "I understand that medications can help stabilize my mood."
B. "I will take my medications even when I feel fine."
,C. "I can stop taking my medications when I feel better."
D. "I should inform my healthcare provider if I experience side effects."
Correct answer: C. "I can stop taking my medications when I feel better."
Rationale: Patients with bipolar disorder must continue taking medications as
prescribed, even during periods of wellness, to prevent relapse.
Question 4:
During a group therapy session, a patient expresses feelings of worthlessness.
What is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A. "You shouldn’t feel that way."
B. "Tell me more about why you feel that way."
C. "It's understandable to feel that way during tough times."
D. "You need to think more positively."
Correct answer: C. "It's understandable to feel that way during tough times."
Rationale: Validating the patient's feelings and acknowledging the difficulty of their
situation encourages open communication and trust.
Question 5:
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety
disorder. Which statement reflects the need for further teaching?
A. "I can use deep breathing exercises to help manage my anxiety."
B. "I should avoid caffeine to reduce anxiety symptoms."
C. "I will stop my medication once I feel less anxious."
D. "Joining a support group can help me cope."
Correct answer: C. "I will stop my medication once I feel less anxious."
Rationale: Stopping medication without guidance can lead to a relapse of anxiety
symptoms. Patients should be educated on the importance of continuing medication as
directed.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of
the following interventions is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the patient to forget the traumatic event.
B. Suggest avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
C. Provide a safe environment for the patient to express feelings.
D. Discourage discussions about the trauma.
,Correct answer: C. Provide a safe environment for the patient to express feelings.
Rationale: Creating a safe space for the patient to express emotions related to the
trauma is essential for healing and processing the experience.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Stay with the patient and provide reassurance.
B. Administer prescribed medication.
C. Encourage the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
D. Ask the patient to describe their feelings.
Correct answer: A. Stay with the patient and provide reassurance.
Rationale: Providing reassurance and remaining with the patient during a panic attack
is crucial for emotional support and safety.
Question 8:
A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which goal is
the priority?
A. The patient will verbalize feelings about food.
B. The patient will engage in family therapy.
C. The patient will achieve a healthy weight.
D. The patient will attend support groups.
Correct answer: C. The patient will achieve a healthy weight.
Rationale: The immediate priority in treating anorexia nervosa is to stabilize the
patient’s physical health, which includes achieving a healthy weight.
Question 9:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse
include in the plan of care?
A. Encourage the patient to avoid compulsive behaviors.
B. Allow the patient to perform compulsions to reduce anxiety.
C. Teach the patient about exposure and response prevention.
D. Suggest the patient ignore obsessive thoughts.
Correct answer: C. Teach the patient about exposure and response prevention.
Rationale: Exposure and response prevention is a therapeutic technique used in OCD
treatment that helps patients confront their fears and reduce compulsive behaviors.
, Question 10:
A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of substance use disorder. Which
behavior would indicate a potential relapse?
A. Attending support group meetings
B. Engaging in therapy sessions
C. Isolating from friends and family
D. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Correct answer: C. Isolating from friends and family
Rationale: Isolation can be a warning sign of relapse as it may lead to increased
vulnerability and decreased support during recovery.
Question 11:
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
behavior would the nurse expect to observe?
A. Increased social interaction
B. Heightened self-esteem
C. Lack of energy
D. Excessive enthusiasm
Correct answer: C. Lack of energy
Rationale: Patients with major depressive disorder often experience fatigue and a lack
of energy, which can hinder daily activities.
Question 12:
A patient with anxiety disorder is prescribed a benzodiazepine. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further education?
A. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
B. "I can take this medication as needed for anxiety."
C. "This medication is safe to use long-term."
D. "I might feel drowsy after taking it."
Correct answer: C. "This medication is safe to use long-term."
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of
dependence and tolerance.
Question 13:
A nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which
of the following would the nurse expect to find?
A. Clear and logical thought process
Proctored exam PreP 2025–2026 | 275+ VerIFIed
PractIce QueStIoNS wItH correct aNSwerS &
detaIled ratIoNaleS | comPlete atI meNtal
HealtH NurSINg teSt BaNk & Study guIde For
PractIcal NurSINg (PN) StudeNtS | uPdated atI
PN exam reVIew reSource
Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient with major depressive disorder. Which of the
following findings would the nurse expect?
A. Increased energy levels
B. Euphoric mood
C. Anhedonia
D. Hyperactivity
Correct answer: C. Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure, is a core symptom of major
depressive disorder. Patients may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Question 2:
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. "Ignore the voices; they're not real."
B. "Can you tell me what the voices are saying?"
C. "Focus on my voice and what I am saying."
D. "You need to take your medication."
Correct answer: C. "Focus on my voice and what I am saying."
Rationale: Redirecting the patient’s focus to the nurse’s voice helps to provide
grounding and may reduce the impact of the hallucinations.
Question 3:
A nurse is discussing the importance of medication adherence with a patient
diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Which statement by the patient indicates a need
for further education?
A. "I understand that medications can help stabilize my mood."
B. "I will take my medications even when I feel fine."
,C. "I can stop taking my medications when I feel better."
D. "I should inform my healthcare provider if I experience side effects."
Correct answer: C. "I can stop taking my medications when I feel better."
Rationale: Patients with bipolar disorder must continue taking medications as
prescribed, even during periods of wellness, to prevent relapse.
Question 4:
During a group therapy session, a patient expresses feelings of worthlessness.
What is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?
A. "You shouldn’t feel that way."
B. "Tell me more about why you feel that way."
C. "It's understandable to feel that way during tough times."
D. "You need to think more positively."
Correct answer: C. "It's understandable to feel that way during tough times."
Rationale: Validating the patient's feelings and acknowledging the difficulty of their
situation encourages open communication and trust.
Question 5:
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety
disorder. Which statement reflects the need for further teaching?
A. "I can use deep breathing exercises to help manage my anxiety."
B. "I should avoid caffeine to reduce anxiety symptoms."
C. "I will stop my medication once I feel less anxious."
D. "Joining a support group can help me cope."
Correct answer: C. "I will stop my medication once I feel less anxious."
Rationale: Stopping medication without guidance can lead to a relapse of anxiety
symptoms. Patients should be educated on the importance of continuing medication as
directed.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of
the following interventions is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the patient to forget the traumatic event.
B. Suggest avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
C. Provide a safe environment for the patient to express feelings.
D. Discourage discussions about the trauma.
,Correct answer: C. Provide a safe environment for the patient to express feelings.
Rationale: Creating a safe space for the patient to express emotions related to the
trauma is essential for healing and processing the experience.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a panic attack. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Stay with the patient and provide reassurance.
B. Administer prescribed medication.
C. Encourage the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
D. Ask the patient to describe their feelings.
Correct answer: A. Stay with the patient and provide reassurance.
Rationale: Providing reassurance and remaining with the patient during a panic attack
is crucial for emotional support and safety.
Question 8:
A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which goal is
the priority?
A. The patient will verbalize feelings about food.
B. The patient will engage in family therapy.
C. The patient will achieve a healthy weight.
D. The patient will attend support groups.
Correct answer: C. The patient will achieve a healthy weight.
Rationale: The immediate priority in treating anorexia nervosa is to stabilize the
patient’s physical health, which includes achieving a healthy weight.
Question 9:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse
include in the plan of care?
A. Encourage the patient to avoid compulsive behaviors.
B. Allow the patient to perform compulsions to reduce anxiety.
C. Teach the patient about exposure and response prevention.
D. Suggest the patient ignore obsessive thoughts.
Correct answer: C. Teach the patient about exposure and response prevention.
Rationale: Exposure and response prevention is a therapeutic technique used in OCD
treatment that helps patients confront their fears and reduce compulsive behaviors.
, Question 10:
A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of substance use disorder. Which
behavior would indicate a potential relapse?
A. Attending support group meetings
B. Engaging in therapy sessions
C. Isolating from friends and family
D. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Correct answer: C. Isolating from friends and family
Rationale: Isolation can be a warning sign of relapse as it may lead to increased
vulnerability and decreased support during recovery.
Question 11:
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which
behavior would the nurse expect to observe?
A. Increased social interaction
B. Heightened self-esteem
C. Lack of energy
D. Excessive enthusiasm
Correct answer: C. Lack of energy
Rationale: Patients with major depressive disorder often experience fatigue and a lack
of energy, which can hinder daily activities.
Question 12:
A patient with anxiety disorder is prescribed a benzodiazepine. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further education?
A. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
B. "I can take this medication as needed for anxiety."
C. "This medication is safe to use long-term."
D. "I might feel drowsy after taking it."
Correct answer: C. "This medication is safe to use long-term."
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of
dependence and tolerance.
Question 13:
A nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which
of the following would the nurse expect to find?
A. Clear and logical thought process
