Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 Prep Document
2026/2027 | Psychiatric Nursing, DSM-5-TR Concepts
Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
A. Absence of psychiatric illness
B. Ability to adapt to stress and function effectively
C. Complete emotional happiness at all times
D. Lack of conflict in relationships
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health involves successful adaptation to stressors and effective functioning,
not merely the absence of illness.
2. According to DSM-5-TR, a mental disorder is characterized by:
A. Any unusual behavior
B. A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior
C. Criminal behavior alone
D. Cultural beliefs differing from society
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DSM-5-TR defines mental disorders as clinically significant disturbances causing
distress or impairment.
3. Which communication technique is therapeutic?
A. Giving advice
B. Changing the subject
,C. Using open-ended questions
D. Offering personal opinions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage clients to express thoughts and feelings freely.
4. A client says, "I feel hopeless." The nurse's best response is:
A. "You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Tell me more about what's making you feel hopeless."
C. "Everything will be fine."
D. "Others have it worse."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encourages exploration of feelings and demonstrates empathy.
5. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Histamine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low serotonin levels are strongly linked to depressive disorders.
6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety
occurring for at least:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DSM-5-TR criteria require excessive anxiety and worry for at least six months.
, 7. A panic attack typically reaches peak intensity within:
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 60 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panic attacks generally peak within 10 minutes.
8. Which symptom is considered positive in schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Avolition
C. Hallucinations
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms add abnormal experiences, such as hallucinations and delusions.
9. Which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Disorganized speech
D. Affective flattening
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Negative symptoms involve loss of normal functions, including flat affect.
10. A client reports hearing voices that others do not hear. This is:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
2026/2027 | Psychiatric Nursing, DSM-5-TR Concepts
Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
A. Absence of psychiatric illness
B. Ability to adapt to stress and function effectively
C. Complete emotional happiness at all times
D. Lack of conflict in relationships
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mental health involves successful adaptation to stressors and effective functioning,
not merely the absence of illness.
2. According to DSM-5-TR, a mental disorder is characterized by:
A. Any unusual behavior
B. A clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior
C. Criminal behavior alone
D. Cultural beliefs differing from society
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DSM-5-TR defines mental disorders as clinically significant disturbances causing
distress or impairment.
3. Which communication technique is therapeutic?
A. Giving advice
B. Changing the subject
,C. Using open-ended questions
D. Offering personal opinions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage clients to express thoughts and feelings freely.
4. A client says, "I feel hopeless." The nurse's best response is:
A. "You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Tell me more about what's making you feel hopeless."
C. "Everything will be fine."
D. "Others have it worse."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encourages exploration of feelings and demonstrates empathy.
5. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with depression?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. Histamine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low serotonin levels are strongly linked to depressive disorders.
6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety
occurring for at least:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DSM-5-TR criteria require excessive anxiety and worry for at least six months.
, 7. A panic attack typically reaches peak intensity within:
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 60 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Panic attacks generally peak within 10 minutes.
8. Which symptom is considered positive in schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Avolition
C. Hallucinations
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms add abnormal experiences, such as hallucinations and delusions.
9. Which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Disorganized speech
D. Affective flattening
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Negative symptoms involve loss of normal functions, including flat affect.
10. A client reports hearing voices that others do not hear. This is:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
