**Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Exam
Prep: Questions **
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1. A client with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and states, "I don't see the point in
living anymore." What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Ask the client, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
B) Tell the client, "You have so much to live for"
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Place the client on suicide precautions
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation, including asking directly about thoughts,
plan, means, and intent. Asking about a plan is a direct suicide risk assessment. Never leave the client
alone.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A) Ask the client, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
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2. A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. The client is pacing, talking rapidly, and has not
slept for 3 days. Which intervention should the nurse implement FIRST?
A) Administer prescribed lithium
B) Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C) Encourage the client to take a shower
D) Offer high-calorie finger foods
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Providing a quiet, low-stimulation environment reduces sensory overload and
decreases agitation. This is the first non-pharmacologic intervention.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
---
3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is putting poison in my food." What is
the best response?
A) "That's not true; no one is poisoning your food"
B) "I don't see any poison, but that must be frightening"
C) "The government has better things to do than poison you"
D) "You're being paranoid; let's talk about something else"
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Acknowledging the client's feelings without validating the delusion is therapeutic. "I
don't see any poison, but that must be frightening" validates the emotion while presenting reality.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) "I don't see any poison, but that must be frightening"
---
4. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares and flashbacks of a
military combat experience. Which medication does the nurse anticipate the provider will prescribe?
A) Haloperidol (antipsychotic)
B) Sertraline (SSRI)
C) Lorazepam (benzodiazepine)
D) Lithium (mood stabilizer)
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine) are first-line pharmacologic treatment for
PTSD. They reduce core symptoms including nightmares, hyperarousal, and avoidance.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) Sertraline (SSRI)
---
5. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. The nurse assesses tremors,
diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 125 bpm. Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering?
A) Disulfiram (Antabuse)
B) Naltrexone
C) Lorazepam (Ativan)
D) Methadone
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Lorazepam (benzodiazepine) is first-line for alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures
and delirium tremens. It reduces autonomic instability (tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis,
tremors).
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C) Lorazepam (Ativan)
---
6. A client with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-harm (cutting). The nurse finds the
client with superficial cuts on the forearm. What is the priority action?
A) Ask the client why they cut themselves
B) Clean and dress the wounds
C) Place the client in restraints
D) Notify the healthcare provider
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Physical safety is the priority. The nurse should first clean and dress the wounds to
prevent infection and ensure physical well-being.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) Clean and dress the wounds
---
7. A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prescribed buspirone 15 mg daily. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A) "This medication works immediately for anxiety attacks"
B) "It may take 2-4 weeks to feel the full effect"
C) "This medication is addictive and should be used sparingly"
D) "Take this medication only when you feel anxious"
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Buspirone (non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic) has a delayed onset of action (2-4 weeks).
It is not effective for acute anxiety attacks. It has low abuse potential.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) "It may take 2-4 weeks to feel the full effect"
---
8. A client with dementia is wandering into other clients' rooms. Which intervention should the nurse
implement FIRST?
A) Apply a vest restraint to prevent wandering
B) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
C) Administer a PRN sedative medication
D) Tell the client to stay in their room
Prep: Questions **
---
1. A client with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and states, "I don't see the point in
living anymore." What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Ask the client, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
B) Tell the client, "You have so much to live for"
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Place the client on suicide precautions
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation, including asking directly about thoughts,
plan, means, and intent. Asking about a plan is a direct suicide risk assessment. Never leave the client
alone.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A) Ask the client, "Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?"
---
2. A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. The client is pacing, talking rapidly, and has not
slept for 3 days. Which intervention should the nurse implement FIRST?
A) Administer prescribed lithium
B) Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C) Encourage the client to take a shower
D) Offer high-calorie finger foods
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Providing a quiet, low-stimulation environment reduces sensory overload and
decreases agitation. This is the first non-pharmacologic intervention.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
---
3. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is putting poison in my food." What is
the best response?
A) "That's not true; no one is poisoning your food"
B) "I don't see any poison, but that must be frightening"
C) "The government has better things to do than poison you"
D) "You're being paranoid; let's talk about something else"
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Acknowledging the client's feelings without validating the delusion is therapeutic. "I
don't see any poison, but that must be frightening" validates the emotion while presenting reality.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) "I don't see any poison, but that must be frightening"
---
4. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares and flashbacks of a
military combat experience. Which medication does the nurse anticipate the provider will prescribe?
A) Haloperidol (antipsychotic)
B) Sertraline (SSRI)
C) Lorazepam (benzodiazepine)
D) Lithium (mood stabilizer)
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine) are first-line pharmacologic treatment for
PTSD. They reduce core symptoms including nightmares, hyperarousal, and avoidance.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) Sertraline (SSRI)
---
5. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. The nurse assesses tremors,
diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 125 bpm. Which medication does the nurse anticipate administering?
A) Disulfiram (Antabuse)
B) Naltrexone
C) Lorazepam (Ativan)
D) Methadone
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Lorazepam (benzodiazepine) is first-line for alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures
and delirium tremens. It reduces autonomic instability (tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis,
tremors).
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C) Lorazepam (Ativan)
---
6. A client with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-harm (cutting). The nurse finds the
client with superficial cuts on the forearm. What is the priority action?
A) Ask the client why they cut themselves
B) Clean and dress the wounds
C) Place the client in restraints
D) Notify the healthcare provider
, 💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Physical safety is the priority. The nurse should first clean and dress the wounds to
prevent infection and ensure physical well-being.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) Clean and dress the wounds
---
7. A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prescribed buspirone 15 mg daily. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A) "This medication works immediately for anxiety attacks"
B) "It may take 2-4 weeks to feel the full effect"
C) "This medication is addictive and should be used sparingly"
D) "Take this medication only when you feel anxious"
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Buspirone (non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic) has a delayed onset of action (2-4 weeks).
It is not effective for acute anxiety attacks. It has low abuse potential.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B) "It may take 2-4 weeks to feel the full effect"
---
8. A client with dementia is wandering into other clients' rooms. Which intervention should the nurse
implement FIRST?
A) Apply a vest restraint to prevent wandering
B) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
C) Administer a PRN sedative medication
D) Tell the client to stay in their room
