NUR 208 Mental Health (Final Exam) practice
Questions and Answers
1. A patient with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me I’m worthless.”
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Ignore them, they aren’t real.”
• B. “That must be very distressing. Can you tell me more about what the voices
say?”
C. “You should focus on positive thoughts.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Rationale: Validates feelings, encourages expression, and avoids confrontation.
2. A patient is admitted after a suicide attempt. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
A. Encourage verbalization of feelings
• B. Ensure a safe environment by removing harmful objects
C. Explore coping mechanisms
D. Establish long-term therapy goals
Rationale: Safety is always the first priority in crisis care.
3. A patient on lithium reports nausea, tremors, and confusion. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Document and monitor
• B. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately
C. Encourage fluid intake
D. Administer antiemetics
Rationale: Signs of lithium toxicity require urgent intervention.
4. Which symptom is most characteristic of somatic symptom disorder?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
• C. Persistent physical complaints without medical explanation
D. Disorganized speech
Rationale: Somatic symptom disorder involves physical complaints not explained by
medical findings.
5. A nurse overhears staff discussing a patient’s diagnosis in the hallway. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Ignore the situation
• B. Remind staff about patient confidentiality
, C. Report the incident to administration immediately
D. Join the discussion to clarify facts
Rationale: Protecting confidentiality is a core ethical responsibility.
6. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage group therapy
• B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation
C. Allow unlimited activity
D. Confront inappropriate behavior
Rationale: Reducing stimulation helps manage mania safely.
7. Which statement shows effective use of therapeutic communication?
A. “You’ll feel better soon.”
• B. “Tell me more about how you’re feeling today.”
C. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
D. “Why are you upset?”
Rationale: Open-ended, nonjudgmental, encourages expression.
8. A patient on haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever, and altered consciousness.
What is the priority?
A. Administer antipyretics
• B. Stop the medication and notify the provider immediately
C. Encourage fluids
D. Document findings
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is life-threatening.
9. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient with severe anxiety?
A. Risk for infection
• B. Ineffective coping
C. Impaired mobility
D. Social isolation
10. A patient with depression says, “I can’t go on anymore.” What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Offer reassurance
• B. Ask directly if the patient has a plan to harm themselves
C. Encourage positive thinking
D. Suggest relaxation techniques
11. Which intervention is most effective for a patient experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Confront the hallucination
• B. Encourage the patient to use distraction techniques
C. Agree with the hallucination
D. Ignore the patient’s concerns
Questions and Answers
1. A patient with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me I’m worthless.”
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Ignore them, they aren’t real.”
• B. “That must be very distressing. Can you tell me more about what the voices
say?”
C. “You should focus on positive thoughts.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Rationale: Validates feelings, encourages expression, and avoids confrontation.
2. A patient is admitted after a suicide attempt. What is the nurse’s priority
intervention?
A. Encourage verbalization of feelings
• B. Ensure a safe environment by removing harmful objects
C. Explore coping mechanisms
D. Establish long-term therapy goals
Rationale: Safety is always the first priority in crisis care.
3. A patient on lithium reports nausea, tremors, and confusion. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Document and monitor
• B. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately
C. Encourage fluid intake
D. Administer antiemetics
Rationale: Signs of lithium toxicity require urgent intervention.
4. Which symptom is most characteristic of somatic symptom disorder?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
• C. Persistent physical complaints without medical explanation
D. Disorganized speech
Rationale: Somatic symptom disorder involves physical complaints not explained by
medical findings.
5. A nurse overhears staff discussing a patient’s diagnosis in the hallway. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Ignore the situation
• B. Remind staff about patient confidentiality
, C. Report the incident to administration immediately
D. Join the discussion to clarify facts
Rationale: Protecting confidentiality is a core ethical responsibility.
6. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage group therapy
• B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation
C. Allow unlimited activity
D. Confront inappropriate behavior
Rationale: Reducing stimulation helps manage mania safely.
7. Which statement shows effective use of therapeutic communication?
A. “You’ll feel better soon.”
• B. “Tell me more about how you’re feeling today.”
C. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
D. “Why are you upset?”
Rationale: Open-ended, nonjudgmental, encourages expression.
8. A patient on haloperidol develops muscle rigidity, fever, and altered consciousness.
What is the priority?
A. Administer antipyretics
• B. Stop the medication and notify the provider immediately
C. Encourage fluids
D. Document findings
Rationale: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is life-threatening.
9. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient with severe anxiety?
A. Risk for infection
• B. Ineffective coping
C. Impaired mobility
D. Social isolation
10. A patient with depression says, “I can’t go on anymore.” What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Offer reassurance
• B. Ask directly if the patient has a plan to harm themselves
C. Encourage positive thinking
D. Suggest relaxation techniques
11. Which intervention is most effective for a patient experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Confront the hallucination
• B. Encourage the patient to use distraction techniques
C. Agree with the hallucination
D. Ignore the patient’s concerns
