Mental Health Nursing Final Exam
2026 with questions and correct
rationales newly updated
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Mental Health Nursing Final Exam 2026
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the best nursing response?
A. “Ignore the voices.”
B. “Those voices are not real.”
C. “What are the voices saying to you?”
D. “You should sleep more.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourages assessment of hallucinations without reinforcing or dismissing the
experience.
2. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depression?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Anhedonia
C. Grandiosity
D. Pressured speech
Answer: B
Rationale: Anhedonia is loss of interest or pleasure, a core symptom of depression.
3. A patient is in manic phase of bipolar disorder. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage group therapy
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods
C. Encourage insight into behavior
D. Promote long therapy sessions
Answer: B
Rationale: Manic patients are hyperactive and may not sit to eat; finger foods ensure
nutrition.
4. Which medication is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
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D. Sertraline
Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic.
5. A patient with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What should the nurse do first?
A. Leave the patient alone
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Restrict fluids
D. Give sedation immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled breathing helps reduce acute panic symptoms.
6. Which behavior indicates suicidal ideation?
A. Increased appetite
B. Giving away possessions
C. Improved sleep
D. Increased socialization
Answer: B
Rationale: Giving away belongings is a warning sign of suicide planning.
7. Which defense mechanism involves blaming others?
A. Projection
B. Regression
C. Sublimation
D. Suppression
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one’s feelings to others.
8. A patient is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. What is the most serious complication?
A. Constipation
B. Delirium tremens
C. Dry mouth
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2026 with questions and correct
rationales newly updated
written by
professionalachiever
The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
At Stuvia, you will find the best notes, summaries, flashcards & other study material. Search for your
school or uni and find the study material you need.
www.stuvia.com
Downloaded by: Professionalachiever | Want to earn $1.236
Distribution of this document is illegal extra per year?
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Mental Health Nursing Final Exam 2026
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the best nursing response?
A. “Ignore the voices.”
B. “Those voices are not real.”
C. “What are the voices saying to you?”
D. “You should sleep more.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourages assessment of hallucinations without reinforcing or dismissing the
experience.
2. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depression?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Anhedonia
C. Grandiosity
D. Pressured speech
Answer: B
Rationale: Anhedonia is loss of interest or pleasure, a core symptom of depression.
3. A patient is in manic phase of bipolar disorder. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage group therapy
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods
C. Encourage insight into behavior
D. Promote long therapy sessions
Answer: B
Rationale: Manic patients are hyperactive and may not sit to eat; finger foods ensure
nutrition.
4. Which medication is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Haloperidol
C. Lithium
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D. Sertraline
Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic.
5. A patient with panic disorder is hyperventilating. What should the nurse do first?
A. Leave the patient alone
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Restrict fluids
D. Give sedation immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled breathing helps reduce acute panic symptoms.
6. Which behavior indicates suicidal ideation?
A. Increased appetite
B. Giving away possessions
C. Improved sleep
D. Increased socialization
Answer: B
Rationale: Giving away belongings is a warning sign of suicide planning.
7. Which defense mechanism involves blaming others?
A. Projection
B. Regression
C. Sublimation
D. Suppression
Answer: A
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one’s feelings to others.
8. A patient is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. What is the most serious complication?
A. Constipation
B. Delirium tremens
C. Dry mouth
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