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PN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM NEWEST 2026 TEST
BANK| 2 VERSIONS (A & B) WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A+| PN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM PREP (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client who reports hearing a voice commanding
them to harm themselves. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Ask the client to describe the voice and assess the immediacy, intent, plan, and
access to means
B. Tell the client that the voice is not real and should be ignored
C. Encourage the client to spend time alone until the hallucination decreases
D. Change the subject to prevent reinforcement of the hallucination
Answer: A
2. A client experiencing acute mania has slept only two hours during the past
three nights and is increasingly intrusive with other clients. Which intervention
should the practical nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage participation in stimulating group activities throughout the day
B. Establish a structured, low-stimulation environment with clear behavioral limits
and opportunities for rest
C. Allow the client unrestricted activity to promote expression of energy
D. Challenge the client's grandiose statements directly whenever they are
expressed
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Answer: B
3. A client with major depressive disorder states, “My family would be better off
without me.” Which response by the practical nurse is most appropriate?
A. “You should focus on the positive things happening in your life.”
B. “Your family would be devastated if something happened to you.”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself or making a plan to harm yourself?”
D. “Try to get some sleep, and these thoughts may improve.”
Answer: C
4. A client with schizophrenia tells the practical nurse, “The television is sending
me secret messages.” Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. “That is impossible because televisions cannot communicate with people.”
B. “I understand that you believe the television is communicating with you, but I
do not perceive those messages.”
C. “What did the television tell you to do?”
D. “You should stop watching television until you feel better.”
Answer: B
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5. A client receiving an antipsychotic medication develops severe muscle rigidity,
high fever, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability. Which complication
should the practical nurse suspect?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Acute dystonia
D. Serotonin syndrome
Answer: B
6. A client taking an antipsychotic medication develops involuntary chewing
movements and repetitive tongue movements several months after treatment
begins. Which adverse effect is most consistent with these findings?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Acute dystonia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Akathisia
Answer: A
7. A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports persistent worry, muscle
tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
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A. Encourage the client to identify anxiety triggers and practice structured coping
and relaxation techniques
B. Tell the client to avoid discussing stressful experiences
C. Encourage excessive physical activity whenever anxiety occurs
D. Reinforce the belief that worrying prevents negative events
Answer: A
8. A client experiencing a panic attack reports chest tightness, trembling,
shortness of breath, and intense fear of dying. What should the practical nurse do
initially?
A. Leave the client alone to reduce environmental stimulation
B. Stay with the client, use calm and brief communication, and reduce
unnecessary environmental stimuli
C. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences immediately
D. Ask the client to participate in a lengthy group discussion
Answer: B
9. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands
because of an overwhelming fear of contamination. Which nursing response is
most therapeutic?
A. “You should stop washing your hands immediately.”
B. “Your fear is irrational, so there is no reason to continue the behavior.”
PN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM NEWEST 2026 TEST
BANK| 2 VERSIONS (A & B) WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A+| PN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM PREP (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client who reports hearing a voice commanding
them to harm themselves. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Ask the client to describe the voice and assess the immediacy, intent, plan, and
access to means
B. Tell the client that the voice is not real and should be ignored
C. Encourage the client to spend time alone until the hallucination decreases
D. Change the subject to prevent reinforcement of the hallucination
Answer: A
2. A client experiencing acute mania has slept only two hours during the past
three nights and is increasingly intrusive with other clients. Which intervention
should the practical nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage participation in stimulating group activities throughout the day
B. Establish a structured, low-stimulation environment with clear behavioral limits
and opportunities for rest
C. Allow the client unrestricted activity to promote expression of energy
D. Challenge the client's grandiose statements directly whenever they are
expressed
,2|Page
Answer: B
3. A client with major depressive disorder states, “My family would be better off
without me.” Which response by the practical nurse is most appropriate?
A. “You should focus on the positive things happening in your life.”
B. “Your family would be devastated if something happened to you.”
C. “Are you thinking about killing yourself or making a plan to harm yourself?”
D. “Try to get some sleep, and these thoughts may improve.”
Answer: C
4. A client with schizophrenia tells the practical nurse, “The television is sending
me secret messages.” Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. “That is impossible because televisions cannot communicate with people.”
B. “I understand that you believe the television is communicating with you, but I
do not perceive those messages.”
C. “What did the television tell you to do?”
D. “You should stop watching television until you feel better.”
Answer: B
,3|Page
5. A client receiving an antipsychotic medication develops severe muscle rigidity,
high fever, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability. Which complication
should the practical nurse suspect?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Acute dystonia
D. Serotonin syndrome
Answer: B
6. A client taking an antipsychotic medication develops involuntary chewing
movements and repetitive tongue movements several months after treatment
begins. Which adverse effect is most consistent with these findings?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Acute dystonia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Akathisia
Answer: A
7. A client with generalized anxiety disorder reports persistent worry, muscle
tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Which nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
, 4|Page
A. Encourage the client to identify anxiety triggers and practice structured coping
and relaxation techniques
B. Tell the client to avoid discussing stressful experiences
C. Encourage excessive physical activity whenever anxiety occurs
D. Reinforce the belief that worrying prevents negative events
Answer: A
8. A client experiencing a panic attack reports chest tightness, trembling,
shortness of breath, and intense fear of dying. What should the practical nurse do
initially?
A. Leave the client alone to reduce environmental stimulation
B. Stay with the client, use calm and brief communication, and reduce
unnecessary environmental stimuli
C. Encourage the client to discuss childhood experiences immediately
D. Ask the client to participate in a lengthy group discussion
Answer: B
9. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washes their hands
because of an overwhelming fear of contamination. Which nursing response is
most therapeutic?
A. “You should stop washing your hands immediately.”
B. “Your fear is irrational, so there is no reason to continue the behavior.”
