Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing
Practice Exam (2026/2027) – Psychiatric
Nursing Practice Certification Exam with
Complete Questions & Verified Answers
A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 7.5 mg IV bolus to a client for alcohol
withdrawal. Available is diazepam injection 5 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer? -CORRECTANSWER 1.5mL
A nurse is planning care for a client who has depression and has made frequent suicide
attempts. Which of the following statements indicates the client has a decreased risk for
suicide? -CORRECTANSWER "It is easier to talk about my feelings now."
A nurse is discussing a 12-step program with a client who has alcohol use disorder and
is in an acute care facility undergoing detoxification. Which of the following information
should the nurse include in the teaching? -CORRECTANSWER The client should
obtain a sponsor before discharge for an increased chance of recovery.
A nurse on a mental health unit observes a client who has acute mania hit another
client. Which of the following action should the nurse take first? -CORRECTANSWER
Call a team of staff members to help with the situation.
,A nurse in a community health center is working with a group of clients who have post-
traumatic stress disorder. Which of the following intervention should the nurse include to
reduce anxiety among the group members? -CORRECTANSWER Guided imagery
A nurse is admitting a client who has anorexia nervosa and is at 60% of ideal body
weight. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of
care? -CORRECTANSWER Encourage the client to drink 125 mL of fluid each hour
while awake.
For each potential assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with
positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia. -CORRECTANSWER Positive:
- Delusions of grandeur
- Clang associations
- Catatonia
Negative:
-Alogia
- Withdrawal from social activities
After reviewing the client's medical record, the nurse should notify the provider of which
of the following findings related to clozapine? -CORRECTANSWER When taking
actions, the nurse should identify an elevated temperature, hypoactive bowel sounds, a
decreased ANC level, myalgia along with an increased heart rate can be adverse
, effects of the medication clozapine. Therefore, the nurse should report these findings to
the client's provider.
Click to highlight the findings in the medical record that indicate maladaptive uses of
defense mechanisms. -CORRECTANSWER - Returned from exercise class in agitated
state.
- Client tells the nurse, "That exercise instructor was one of my favorite people here. We
had so much in common. But now I know their true nature. She's evil!"
A nurse is caring for a client who has impaired cognitionA nurse is updating the client's
plan of care. For each of the following potential nursing interventions, click to specify if
the potential intervention is anticipated, nonessential, or contraindicated for the client. -
CORRECTANSWER Anticipated:
- When addressing the client, approach them from the front when possible.
- Give directions to the client slowly and in a moderate tone of voice.
- Decrease sensory stimulation.
- Assign the client to a room near the nurses' station.
Contraindicated:
- Use a vest restraint to keep the client in a medical recliner.
- Ensure the bed is kept at a working height for the nurse.
- Keep the lights off in the client's bedroom and bathroom at night.
Practice Exam (2026/2027) – Psychiatric
Nursing Practice Certification Exam with
Complete Questions & Verified Answers
A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 7.5 mg IV bolus to a client for alcohol
withdrawal. Available is diazepam injection 5 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer? -CORRECTANSWER 1.5mL
A nurse is planning care for a client who has depression and has made frequent suicide
attempts. Which of the following statements indicates the client has a decreased risk for
suicide? -CORRECTANSWER "It is easier to talk about my feelings now."
A nurse is discussing a 12-step program with a client who has alcohol use disorder and
is in an acute care facility undergoing detoxification. Which of the following information
should the nurse include in the teaching? -CORRECTANSWER The client should
obtain a sponsor before discharge for an increased chance of recovery.
A nurse on a mental health unit observes a client who has acute mania hit another
client. Which of the following action should the nurse take first? -CORRECTANSWER
Call a team of staff members to help with the situation.
,A nurse in a community health center is working with a group of clients who have post-
traumatic stress disorder. Which of the following intervention should the nurse include to
reduce anxiety among the group members? -CORRECTANSWER Guided imagery
A nurse is admitting a client who has anorexia nervosa and is at 60% of ideal body
weight. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of
care? -CORRECTANSWER Encourage the client to drink 125 mL of fluid each hour
while awake.
For each potential assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with
positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia. -CORRECTANSWER Positive:
- Delusions of grandeur
- Clang associations
- Catatonia
Negative:
-Alogia
- Withdrawal from social activities
After reviewing the client's medical record, the nurse should notify the provider of which
of the following findings related to clozapine? -CORRECTANSWER When taking
actions, the nurse should identify an elevated temperature, hypoactive bowel sounds, a
decreased ANC level, myalgia along with an increased heart rate can be adverse
, effects of the medication clozapine. Therefore, the nurse should report these findings to
the client's provider.
Click to highlight the findings in the medical record that indicate maladaptive uses of
defense mechanisms. -CORRECTANSWER - Returned from exercise class in agitated
state.
- Client tells the nurse, "That exercise instructor was one of my favorite people here. We
had so much in common. But now I know their true nature. She's evil!"
A nurse is caring for a client who has impaired cognitionA nurse is updating the client's
plan of care. For each of the following potential nursing interventions, click to specify if
the potential intervention is anticipated, nonessential, or contraindicated for the client. -
CORRECTANSWER Anticipated:
- When addressing the client, approach them from the front when possible.
- Give directions to the client slowly and in a moderate tone of voice.
- Decrease sensory stimulation.
- Assign the client to a room near the nurses' station.
Contraindicated:
- Use a vest restraint to keep the client in a medical recliner.
- Ensure the bed is kept at a working height for the nurse.
- Keep the lights off in the client's bedroom and bathroom at night.
