NCLEX Mental Health Practice Questions

15 free NCLEX-RN mental health questions with answers and rationales — perfect for psych nclex questions practice. Want them as an interactive timed quiz?

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1. A 45-year-old patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the BEST initial nursing action?
- A. Acknowledge the voices and ask what they are saying. ✓
- B. Tell the patient that the voices are not real.
- C. Encourage the patient to watch TV to distract from the hallucinations.
- D. Leave the patient alone to manage their symptoms.
Answer: A. Acknowledge the voices and ask what they are saying. — Acknowledging the voices helps to build trust and assess the content of the hallucinations, which is crucial for safety and further intervention.
2. A patient with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I should take this medication at the same time every day.
- B. I might feel better in a day or two after starting this medication. ✓
- C. I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
- D. I need to inform my doctor if I experience any increased thoughts of self-harm.
Answer: B. I might feel better in a day or two after starting this medication. — SSRIs like sertraline typically take several weeks to show therapeutic effects, so expecting immediate improvement indicates a need for further teaching.
3. A nurse is conducting a therapeutic group session for patients with anxiety disorders. Which intervention is MOST appropriate?
- A. Encourage patients to share their personal experiences with anxiety. ✓
- B. Advise patients to avoid discussing anxiety triggers.
- C. Instruct patients to only listen and not speak.
- D. Focus the session on educating about different anxiety medications.
Answer: A. Encourage patients to share their personal experiences with anxiety. — Sharing experiences allows patients to feel supported and understood, which is a key aspect of therapeutic group sessions.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is admitted with acute mania. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?
- A. Encourage group activities to socialize the patient.
- B. Provide a low-stimulation environment. ✓
- C. Engage the patient in detailed conversations to understand their feelings.
- D. Offer caffeinated beverages to keep the patient alert.
Answer: B. Provide a low-stimulation environment. — A low-stimulation environment helps to reduce the hyperactivity and agitation commonly associated with acute mania.
5. A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is being treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). What is the primary goal of CBT for this patient?
- A. To explore the patient's childhood experiences.
- B. To change the patient's thought patterns and behaviors. ✓
- C. To increase the patient's medication adherence.
- D. To focus on the patient's dreams and interpretations.
Answer: B. To change the patient's thought patterns and behaviors. — CBT aims to modify dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety.
6. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is starting treatment with fluoxetine. What should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
- A. Fluoxetine will provide immediate relief from OCD symptoms.
- B. The medication should be taken at bedtime to reduce side effects.
- C. It may take several weeks for the medication to reduce symptoms. ✓
- D. Increasing the dose on your own if symptoms persist is acceptable.
Answer: C. It may take several weeks for the medication to reduce symptoms. — SSRIs like fluoxetine can take several weeks to reach full therapeutic effect, requiring patient patience and adherence.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which symptom is the patient MOST likely to report?
- A. Auditory hallucinations.
- B. Recurrent, intrusive thoughts about the trauma. ✓
- C. Increased energy and decreased need for sleep.
- D. Delusions of grandeur.
Answer: B. Recurrent, intrusive thoughts about the trauma. — Recurrent, intrusive thoughts are a hallmark symptom of PTSD, reflecting the reliving of traumatic experiences.
8. A patient with a history of alcohol use disorder is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?
- A. Encourage the patient to attend group therapy.
- B. Administer a prescribed benzodiazepine. ✓
- C. Provide a high-calorie diet.
- D. Restrict fluids to prevent overhydration.
Answer: B. Administer a prescribed benzodiazepine. — Benzodiazepines are commonly used to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications such as seizures.
9. A 22-year-old college student is brought to the emergency department by friends due to a panic attack. What is the MOST appropriate nursing action?
- A. Encourage deep breathing exercises. ✓
- B. Instruct the patient to focus on the panic.
- C. Administer IV fluids immediately.
- D. Leave the patient alone to calm down.
Answer: A. Encourage deep breathing exercises. — Deep breathing exercises can help decrease the acute anxiety and physiological symptoms associated with a panic attack.
10. A patient with depression says, 'I have no reason to live.' What is the BEST nursing response?
- A. Don't say that, things will get better soon.
- B. Why do you feel that way?
- C. Do you have a specific plan to harm yourself? ✓
- D. Have you tried talking to your family about this?
Answer: C. Do you have a specific plan to harm yourself? — Assessing for a specific plan is crucial for determining the level of suicide risk and ensuring patient safety.
11. A patient with borderline personality disorder is displaying self-harming behavior. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?
- A. Discuss the negative consequences of self-harm with the patient.
- B. Place the patient on close observation or suicide precautions. ✓
- C. Encourage the patient to journal their feelings.
- D. Refer the patient to a support group.
Answer: B. Place the patient on close observation or suicide precautions. — Close observation or suicide precautions ensure the patient's immediate safety, which is the priority in cases of self-harm.
12. A patient is admitted for an overdose of tricyclic antidepressants. What is the MOST important system for the nurse to monitor?
- A. Respiratory system.
- B. Gastrointestinal system.
- C. Cardiovascular system. ✓
- D. Integumentary system.
Answer: C. Cardiovascular system. — Tricyclic antidepressant overdose can cause cardiac arrhythmias, making cardiovascular monitoring critical.
13. A nurse is working with a patient who has anorexia nervosa. What is the MOST appropriate short-term goal for this patient?
- A. Patient will gain 10 pounds in one week.
- B. Patient will discuss feelings towards food and body image. ✓
- C. Patient will consume 3,000 calories a day.
- D. Patient will complete a 7-day food diary.
Answer: B. Patient will discuss feelings towards food and body image. — Discussing feelings is a realistic and safe initial step, helping to address the psychological components of anorexia nervosa.
14. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed haloperidol. What side effect should the nurse be MOST concerned about?
- A. Constipation.
- B. Dry mouth.
- C. Extrapyramidal symptoms. ✓
- D. Drowsiness.
Answer: C. Extrapyramidal symptoms. — Extrapyramidal symptoms can be severe and require immediate attention to prevent complications such as tardive dyskinesia.
15. A patient states, 'I'm so stressed I can't take it anymore.' What is the MOST therapeutic nursing response?
- A. You should try to relax and not worry so much.
- B. What specifically is causing you to feel this way? ✓
- C. Do you think talking to a doctor will help?
- D. Have you tried exercising to relieve stress?
Answer: B. What specifically is causing you to feel this way? — Asking about specifics allows the patient to explore their feelings and provides the nurse with information to help address the stressor.

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NCLEX Mental Health Practice Questions

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