Page 1 of 51
NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 - 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare confidently for the NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 with a focused study
resource covering key concepts in psychiatric and mental health nursing. It is
designed to reinforce understanding of mental health disorders, nursing
interventions, therapeutic communication, assessment, and patient care priorities.
The material provides a convenient way to review important topics and identify areas
that may require additional study. This resource is best suited for NR 326 nursing
students preparing for Exam 3 or reviewing mental health nursing concepts.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
ANXIETY DISORDERS
1. A client is experiencing mild anxiety. Which of the following statements
best describes this level of anxiety?
• A) The client is unable to focus on anything in the environment
• B) The client has a narrowed perceptual field and difficulty following
instructions
• C) The client experiences terror and a strong desire to escape
• D) The client is alert and able to focus on the current situation
Answer: D) The client is alert and able to focus on the current situation
Rationale: Mild anxiety actually sharpens the senses and increases
motivation, allowing the individual to focus on the present situation. It is
considered a positive, adaptive response that can enhance performance.
Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field, severe anxiety causes
inability to attend to surroundings, and panic involves terror and the need
to escape.
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2. A client with moderate anxiety is pacing and has difficulty following the
nurse's instructions. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
• A) Leave the client alone to calm down
• B) Speak in short, simple sentences and remain calm
• C) Ask the client to explain what is causing the anxiety
• D) Administer PRN sedative medication immediately
Answer: B) Speak in short, simple sentences and remain calm
Rationale: Clients with moderate anxiety have a narrowed perceptual
field and difficulty attending to surroundings. The nurse should use short,
simple sentences and maintain a calm demeanor to help the client
process information. Complex explanations or questions will overwhelm
the client further.
3. A client presents with physical symptoms including diaphoresis,
tachycardia, and labored breathing. The client reports feeling unable to
focus on anything. This client is most likely experiencing which level of
anxiety?
• A) Mild anxiety
• B) Moderate anxiety
• C) Severe anxiety
• D) Panic anxiety
Answer: C) Severe anxiety
Rationale: Severe anxiety is characterized by physical symptoms such as
perspiration, rapid heart rate, and labored breathing, along with the
inability to attend to surroundings. At this level, the individual's
perceptual field is significantly narrowed, making it difficult to process
environmental stimuli.
, Page 3 of 51
4. A client is experiencing a panic attack and reports feeling like they are
"going to die." What is the priority nursing action?
• A) Ask the client to identify the trigger for the panic attack
• B) Stay with the client and provide a quiet, calm environment
• C) Administer antipsychotic medication immediately
• D) Encourage the client to talk about their feelings
Answer: B) Stay with the client and provide a quiet, calm environment
Rationale: Panic anxiety reaches a level of terror where the primary
concern is escape. The priority is to provide safety and remain with the
client. Offering self by remaining with the client is a key therapeutic
intervention for highly anxious clients. Attempting to identify triggers or
encourage discussion during a panic attack is not appropriate as the
client cannot process complex information.
5. Which type of anxiety can positively motivate an individual and assist
with performance?
• A) Mild anxiety
• B) Moderate anxiety
• C) Severe anxiety
• D) Panic anxiety
Answer: A) Mild anxiety
Rationale: Mild anxiety can be beneficial as it heightens awareness and
motivation, actually enhancing performance. It helps individuals focus on
the current situation and can improve problem-solving abilities.
6. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) performs
handwashing rituals for hours each day. The nurse understands that the
compulsive behavior serves which primary purpose?
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• A) To punish the client for obsessive thoughts
• B) To relieve the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
• C) To gain attention from family members
• D) To maintain a sense of control over others
Answer: B) To relieve the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
Rationale: In OCD, compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the
individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession. The
compulsive behavior serves to temporarily relieve the anxiety associated
with the obsessive thoughts. The relief is temporary, and the cycle
continues.
7. A client with agoraphobia refuses to leave their home. The nurse
understands that agoraphobia involves fear of which of the following?
• A) Being alone in a public place
• B) Situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing
• C) Open spaces only
• D) Social interactions with strangers
Answer: B) Situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing
Rationale: Agoraphobia is characterized by fear of situations where
escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where help might not be
available in the event of a panic attack. This often results in the individual
avoiding public places and potentially becoming homebound.
8. A client diagnosed with panic disorder reports having at least four
symptoms during panic attacks. Which of the following is a required
diagnostic criterion for panic disorder?
• A) Symptoms must occur only in social situations
• B) At least four of the characteristic symptoms must be present
NR 326 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2 - 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURSING
Prepare confidently for the NR 326 Mental Health Nursing Exam 2 with a focused study
resource covering key concepts in psychiatric and mental health nursing. It is
designed to reinforce understanding of mental health disorders, nursing
interventions, therapeutic communication, assessment, and patient care priorities.
The material provides a convenient way to review important topics and identify areas
that may require additional study. This resource is best suited for NR 326 nursing
students preparing for Exam 3 or reviewing mental health nursing concepts.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
ANXIETY DISORDERS
1. A client is experiencing mild anxiety. Which of the following statements
best describes this level of anxiety?
• A) The client is unable to focus on anything in the environment
• B) The client has a narrowed perceptual field and difficulty following
instructions
• C) The client experiences terror and a strong desire to escape
• D) The client is alert and able to focus on the current situation
Answer: D) The client is alert and able to focus on the current situation
Rationale: Mild anxiety actually sharpens the senses and increases
motivation, allowing the individual to focus on the present situation. It is
considered a positive, adaptive response that can enhance performance.
Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field, severe anxiety causes
inability to attend to surroundings, and panic involves terror and the need
to escape.
, Page 2 of 51
2. A client with moderate anxiety is pacing and has difficulty following the
nurse's instructions. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
• A) Leave the client alone to calm down
• B) Speak in short, simple sentences and remain calm
• C) Ask the client to explain what is causing the anxiety
• D) Administer PRN sedative medication immediately
Answer: B) Speak in short, simple sentences and remain calm
Rationale: Clients with moderate anxiety have a narrowed perceptual
field and difficulty attending to surroundings. The nurse should use short,
simple sentences and maintain a calm demeanor to help the client
process information. Complex explanations or questions will overwhelm
the client further.
3. A client presents with physical symptoms including diaphoresis,
tachycardia, and labored breathing. The client reports feeling unable to
focus on anything. This client is most likely experiencing which level of
anxiety?
• A) Mild anxiety
• B) Moderate anxiety
• C) Severe anxiety
• D) Panic anxiety
Answer: C) Severe anxiety
Rationale: Severe anxiety is characterized by physical symptoms such as
perspiration, rapid heart rate, and labored breathing, along with the
inability to attend to surroundings. At this level, the individual's
perceptual field is significantly narrowed, making it difficult to process
environmental stimuli.
, Page 3 of 51
4. A client is experiencing a panic attack and reports feeling like they are
"going to die." What is the priority nursing action?
• A) Ask the client to identify the trigger for the panic attack
• B) Stay with the client and provide a quiet, calm environment
• C) Administer antipsychotic medication immediately
• D) Encourage the client to talk about their feelings
Answer: B) Stay with the client and provide a quiet, calm environment
Rationale: Panic anxiety reaches a level of terror where the primary
concern is escape. The priority is to provide safety and remain with the
client. Offering self by remaining with the client is a key therapeutic
intervention for highly anxious clients. Attempting to identify triggers or
encourage discussion during a panic attack is not appropriate as the
client cannot process complex information.
5. Which type of anxiety can positively motivate an individual and assist
with performance?
• A) Mild anxiety
• B) Moderate anxiety
• C) Severe anxiety
• D) Panic anxiety
Answer: A) Mild anxiety
Rationale: Mild anxiety can be beneficial as it heightens awareness and
motivation, actually enhancing performance. It helps individuals focus on
the current situation and can improve problem-solving abilities.
6. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) performs
handwashing rituals for hours each day. The nurse understands that the
compulsive behavior serves which primary purpose?
, Page 4 of 51
• A) To punish the client for obsessive thoughts
• B) To relieve the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
• C) To gain attention from family members
• D) To maintain a sense of control over others
Answer: B) To relieve the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts
Rationale: In OCD, compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the
individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession. The
compulsive behavior serves to temporarily relieve the anxiety associated
with the obsessive thoughts. The relief is temporary, and the cycle
continues.
7. A client with agoraphobia refuses to leave their home. The nurse
understands that agoraphobia involves fear of which of the following?
• A) Being alone in a public place
• B) Situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing
• C) Open spaces only
• D) Social interactions with strangers
Answer: B) Situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing
Rationale: Agoraphobia is characterized by fear of situations where
escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where help might not be
available in the event of a panic attack. This often results in the individual
avoiding public places and potentially becoming homebound.
8. A client diagnosed with panic disorder reports having at least four
symptoms during panic attacks. Which of the following is a required
diagnostic criterion for panic disorder?
• A) Symptoms must occur only in social situations
• B) At least four of the characteristic symptoms must be present
