NGN Clinical Case Studies

330 Unfolding NGN Case Studies for the NCLEX

Each case presents a real patient scenario with 6–7 linked clinical-judgment questions — exactly the NCSBN April 2026 NGN format. Bow-tie, matrix, cloze, trend, and extended-response items across all 6 CJMM layers.

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Mental Health cases

19 cases shown
Mental Health8 questions

Mental Health: Suicidal Patient — Safety Assessment and Care

The nurse is reviewing the initial assessment data for the 34-year-old male. Which FINDINGS from the patient's presentation represent the HIGHEST-risk factors that increase his likelihood of a future suicide attempt?

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Mental Health10 questions

Bipolar Disorder: Acute Manic Episode — Safety and Therapeutic Communication

The nurse completes the admission assessment for Marcus. Select ALL findings that are consistent with an acute manic episode and require immediate nursing intervention.

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Mental Health7 questions

Acute Delirium in the Older Adult: Recognition, Assessment, and Non-Pharmacological Management

The nurse is reviewing the assessment data for this patient. Select ALL findings that are consistent with delirium rather than dementia, and that require immediate nursing assessment and intervention.

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Mental Health6 questions

Schizophrenia: Acute Psychosis — Therapeutic Communication and Safety Management

The nurse is completing the initial assessment. Select ALL findings that indicate acute psychotic decompensation requiring immediate psychiatric intervention.

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Mental Health6 questions

ARDS: Lung-Protective Ventilation and Prone Positioning

Marcus Thompson is a 45-year-old male admitted to the ICU after aspiration of gastric contents during emergent intubation for altered mental status. PMH: alcohol use disorder, hypertension. He is on mechanical ventilation: AC/VC mode, TV 550 mL, RR 16, PEEP 14 cmH2O, FiO2 0.72. Weight 90 kg, IBW 75

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Mental Health6 questions

Hip Fracture in Older Adults: Post-Operative Delirium

Harriet Johnson is an 81-year-old female with a history of osteoporosis, atrial fibrillation (on warfarin), and mild cognitive impairment (baseline MMSE 22/30). She fell at home and sustained a right femoral neck fracture. She underwent right hip hemiarthroplasty under spinal anesthesia. Pre-operati

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Mental Health6 questions

Acetaminophen Overdose: NAC Treatment

Emily Chen is a 19-year-old female brought to the ED by her roommate after she found Emily crying and confessing to ingesting 'all her Tylenol' approximately 6 hours ago. She has no prior psychiatric history. She is tearful but cooperative. She ingested 50 tablets of 500 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) w

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Mental Health6 questions

Lithium Toxicity: Post-Dialysis Discharge Planning

Ms. Claire Novak is a 38-year-old female with bipolar I disorder on lithium carbonate 900 mg BID for 6 years. She was started on lisinopril 10 mg daily 2 months ago for new hypertension. She presented with confusion, coarse tremor, vomiting, and ataxia. Lithium level on admission was 3.4 mEq/L (ther

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Mental Health6 questions

Lithium Toxicity: Bipolar Disorder Medication Emergency

[NURSE'S NOTES] Patient: Renata Osei, 42-year-old female Setting: Psychiatric Unit → Medical ICU Clinical Context: Renata Osei is a 42-year-old female with bipolar I disorder, well-controlled for 6 years on lithium carbonate 900 mg BID (therapeutic level 0.8 mEq/L, checked 3 months ago). PMH: hypert

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Mental Health6 questions

Bipolar Mania: Lithium Reinitiation and Toxicity Prevention

Mr. Harris, 34-year-old male with bipolar I disorder, is brought to the psychiatric ED by his wife who reports he has not slept in 4 days, spent $12,000 on cryptocurrency without telling her, and has been 'talking a mile a minute.' Assessment: alert, oriented x3, speech is pressured and rapid, thoug

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Mental Health6 questions

Hip Fracture — Delirium Prevention, DVT Prophylaxis, Hip Precautions

Mrs. Huang, 81F on apixaban with displaced femoral neck fracture. Post-op delirium, VTE prevention, hip precaution education, anticoagulation restart.

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Mental Health6 questions

Suicide Risk Assessment — Safety Planning, Means Restriction, SSRI Window

Ms. Ahmad, 29F with aborted attempt and severe depression. Inpatient safety, 1:1 observation, discharge planning.

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Mental Health6 questions

Acute Schizophrenia — Command Hallucinations, Antipsychotic EPS, Therapeutic Alliance

Mr. Young, 26M first-episode psychosis. Risperidone, acute dystonia, delusional communication, family prodrome education.

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Mental Health6 questions

First-Episode Psychosis — Acute Stabilization and Safe Discharge

Marcus Hayes is a 21-year-old college junior brought to the psychiatric emergency department by his roommate. Over the past 6 weeks, Marcus has become...

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Mental Health6 questions

Major Depressive Disorder: Inpatient Assessment, Safety Planning, and Discharge

Mr. James Holloway, a 34-year-old male, is voluntarily admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit following a visit to his primary care provider, wher...

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Mental Health1 questions

Acute Suicide Risk Assessment

Complete the Bow-Tie clinical reasoning diagram for a 38-year-old female admitted after intentional acetaminophen overdose. Select the condition most consistent with the presentation, TWO priority nursing actions, and TWO parameters to monitor.

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Mental Health1 questions

Elderly Uti Delirium

Complete the Bow-Tie clinical reasoning diagram for this gerontology patient. Select the condition, TWO priority nursing actions, and TWO parameters to monitor.

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Mental Health7 questions

A 34-year-old client arrives at the emergency department at 2200 accompanied by his sister

A 34-year-old client arrives at the emergency department at 2200 accompanied by his sister. The triage note reads: "Brought in by family member — concerned about client's mental state after recent job loss and divorce. Client reluctantly agreed to come." The client is alert, oriented, and medically stable. Vital signs: BP 128/82, HR 88, RR 16, T 36.8°C, SpO2 98% on room air. The client's sister pulls the nurse aside and reports: "He lost his job three weeks ago and his divorce was finalized las

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Mental Health1 questions

The evening nurse finds the hospitalized client with advanced dementia calling for her long-deceased

The evening nurse finds the hospitalized client with advanced dementia calling for her long-deceased mother and attempting to leave the unit.

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